Day treatment is the next step up from outpatient care, but a step down from residential treatment. In most mental health day treatment programs, you spend several hours each day at the treatment facility. Those seeking day treatment therapy do not stay overnight; they return to their homes at the end of each day. Psychiatric day treatment programs are time limited, and most clients participate for a few weeks to a few months.
Day treatment programs are best for those who need more intervention than traditional outpatient therapy, but who aren’t experiencing such severe symptoms that they need to be monitored on a regular basis. More frequent meetings with a psychiatrist can help solidify an effective medication strategy. Daily therapeutic sessions help clients focus on developing the skills needed to cope with stress, improve mood, address disruptive or harmful behavior patterns, and participate more fully in their communities. The daily structure of mental health day treatment programs may help clients hit a “reset” button, especially if they have started isolating at home, avoiding friends or family, sleeping too little or too much, or developing unhealthy eating patterns.