IOP, PHP, RTC - Continuum of Care for Mental Health Treatment Explained

Good Enough Shrink

Hello! We are back after a busy month at the clinic! In this episode, we discuss a very niche topic -- the different levels (or continuum) of care in mental health treatment. These acronyms can be so confusing for parents and families, so we hope to clarify them for you as you navigate what is the appropriate level of care for you or your loved ones.

Topics Discussed:

• Overview of mental health continuum of care
• The importance of the least restrictive treatment environment
• Emergency and crisis facilities
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Residential Treatment Center (RTC) in detail
• What are RTCs like?
• What it means to be voluntary
• What about wilderness programs?
• Questions to ask the programs to assess goodness of fit

Resources:

• Questions to ask before hospitalization: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/11-Questions-To-Ask-Before-Psychiatric-Hospitalization-Of-Your-Child-Or-Adolescent-032.aspx#:~:text=When%20can%20I%20see%20my,the%20plans%20for%20ongoing%20treatment%3F
• Continuum of Care: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/The-Continuum-Of-Care-For-Children-And-Adolescents-042.aspx
• Residential Treatment Programs: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Residential-Treatment-Programs-097.aspx

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