Outpatient therapy

Outpatient therapy is the most common form of behavioral health treatment. You can receive therapy at a behavioral health provider’s office or via virtual visits. 

• Talk Therapy. Used for a range of needs, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, addiction and substance use disorders. Clinicians help to:
  • Identify coping skills for managing negative thoughts and emotional responses
  • Regulate emotions
  • Improve interpersonal communication skills
  • Increase healthy behaviors

On average, treatment can be completed in 10 to 12 biweekly sessions, averaging 30-45 minutes per session. You’ll work toward well-defined, measurable treatment goals and targeted treatment outcomes, which are evaluated and revised as needed. Medication may also be recommended for your condition and symptoms.

• Medication. Medications often play a key role in treating certain mental health and substance use disorders. It can help reduce symptoms and prevent relapses for certain diagnoses. It can also help minimize cravings and maintain abstinence from substances.
• Virtual visits. Online virtual visits are available via secure and HIPAA-compliant video conferencing rather than in person. Virtual sessions offer improved access to care and flexibility for members. They can also be combined with talk therapy.
• Group/family sessions. Group therapy sessions are led by clinicians who teach group members proven strategies for managing specific problems. If you're involved in a substance use disorder or anger management group, for example, the clinician will describe scientifically tested strategies for managing these conditions. Family therapy can help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts for those who are willing to participate.
• Self-care. This includes community programs such as self-help and support groups, as well as learning self-care practices such as getting regular exercise and having healthy eating habits, which are part of a holistic approach to improving mental health. 

Higher levels of care

Behavioral health treatment may also include inpatient hospitalization, residential programs, partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. Please contact the Behavioral Health Access Center at (888) 777-4742 for questions on higher levels of care.  

For example, inpatient hospitalization may be appropriate for individuals who express suicidal thoughts or those with a substance use disorder whose substance use results in a significant psychiatric or medical risk to themselves.

Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are usually administered at a health care clinic. These types of programs run from three times a week to daily and include individual and group therapy, assessment and monitoring of treatment plan progress, and resiliency and coping skills training.

For a crisis situation, the best option is to go immediately to an emergency room for assessment and consultation with a physician. The physician there can determine the best course of treatment, which may include hospitalization or a quick-acting medication and watchful waiting.

Transitions of care

Our care management programs support members from inpatient care to discharge and beyond. They will connect members discharged from facility-based care to appropriate follow-up care and support, helping reduce the chance of future readmissions.

Care advocates work with members to create a wellness recovery action plan and then coordinate care on their behalf post-discharge, arranging support resources to help with sustained recovery and resiliency.