Program comparison
Types of mental health programs and levels of care
The mental health system uses a "continuum of care" — a set of program types that differ in intensity and setting. Understanding where each fits helps you choose the right level of support.
The main levels of care
Outpatient therapy
Weekly individual or group therapy sessions. Client lives at home and continues normal life. Suitable for mild-to-moderate symptoms.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
3–4 hours of programming, 3–5 days per week. Client lives at home. Often used as step-down from PHP or step-up from outpatient.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Full-day programming (5–6 hours, 5–7 days per week). Client returns home each evening. Often the step-down from residential care.
Residential (RTC)
Client lives at the facility, typically 30–90 days. 24/7 clinical oversight, full daily programming. Most intensive non-hospital level.
Inpatient hospitalization
Short (3–10 days), often involuntary, focused on acute stabilization. Locked psychiatric unit within a hospital.
Aftercare & alumni
Ongoing support after formal treatment ends — peer groups, alumni programming, sober living, or transitional housing.
The six most common types of residential program
- General psychiatric. Mood, anxiety, and stress-related conditions across a mixed adult population.
- Dual diagnosis. Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders treated together.
- Trauma-focused. PTSD, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders with modalities like EMDR and CPT.
- Eating disorders. Medical monitoring paired with nutritional and psychological treatment.
- Adolescent. Age-appropriate programming for teens, typically with schooling built in.
- Perinatal and postpartum. Programs designed for pregnancy and the first year after birth.