Mental Health

The Treatment Specialist offers mental health information and treatment and resources.

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1 in 5

U.S. adults experience mental illness each year

1 in 25

U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year

1 in 6

U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year

Mental Health Conditions

Mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and clinicians, are trained to treat a wide range of mental health disorders, from mild to severe in nature. Mental health conditions include:

Depression. Depressive disorders include:

Major depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
Postpartum depression
Seasonal affective disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Anxiety. Anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Social anxiety
Phobias

Obsessive-compulsive disorders. Obsessive-compulsive disorders include:

OCD
Body dysmorphic disorder
Hoarding disorder
Trichotillomania
Excoriation disorder

Trauma disorder. Trauma disorders include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Acute stress disorder
Reactive attachment disorder
Adjustment disorder

Mood disorder. Mood disorders include:

Bipolar I
Bipolar II
Cyclothymic disorder

Personality disorder. Personality disorders include:

Borderline personality disorder
Paranoid personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Avoidant personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder

Psychotic disorder. Psychotic disorders include:

Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizophreniform disorder
Brief psychotic disorder

Neurodiverse disorders. Neurodiversity includes:

Autism spectrum disorder
ADHD

How Are Mental Health Disorders Treated?

Mental health treatment can be provided through a variety of levels of care. These range from services provided by a private psychiatric practice, to an outpatient program, to day treatment to residential or inpatient care. Treatment involves integrated therapeutic approaches that are combined as needed for a patient’s particular mental health condition and needs. These treatment elements include:

Individual psychotherapy
One-on-one sessions with a psychotherapist provide a safe, confidential space for patients to explore the issues that may be contributing factors for the resulting mental health disorder.
Group therapy
Patients often benefit from sharing their experiences and challenges with others who also struggle with a mental health disorder. These small groups are facilitated by a therapist.
Family therapy
Family therapy sessions benefit both the patient and the family members as they share how the loved one’s mental health disorder has impacted the family, and strive to improve interaction and communication through therapy.
Medication management
In many cases, medications can be prescribed to help manage and mitigate the symptoms of the disorder, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, mood-stabilizers, and anti-psychotic drugs.
Experiential or holistic therapies
To further enhance the effects of the traditional therapies, experiential activities such as mindfulness meditation, yoga classes, art and music therapy, and deep-breathing techniques, are often included in the treatment plan.
Recreation and fitness
Exercise offers both psychological and physical benefits and is often integrated into the treatment planning. These activities might include swimming, participation in sports, exercise classes, hiking or walking.
Transitional housing
Transitional housing is available for individuals who will benefit from a continuum of care bridging residential care to returning home. Individuals residing in transitional care will continue to engage in outpatient therapy, support groups, and other sources of mental health support.

When to Seek Mental Health Treatment

Most people who pursue treatment for a mental health issue do so when their symptoms begin to intrude into their normal daily lives, causing significant impairment in daily functioning. A professional mental health provider, such as the psychiatrist or psychotherapist should be consulted in order to be formally evaluated, and also to exclude any possible medical condition that may be causing the symptoms. Early interventions are sought when an individual is struggling with depression symptoms, anxiety, or mood swings, and in most cases these can be managed satisfactorily through outpatient providers. However, if the condition worsens, further disrupting normal functioning, a determination may be made that a higher level of care is appropriate.

Some signs that an individual may benefit from a higher level of care include:

The disorder may be now causing physical health problems
The disorder is causing acting out, or disruptive behavior
The disorder is causing serious interpersonal problems
The individual is increasingly engaging in self-harming behaviors
The disorder is leading to violent acts that threaten the wellbeing of others
The individual may be having suicidal thoughts

If you or a loved one is grappling with a difficult emotional condition that is causing distress and impairment in daily life, seeking the guidance of a mental health profession offers hope for relief.

Mental Health Treatment Programs

INPATIENT & RESIDENTIAL

Inpatient and Residential rehab for mental health conditions provide an opportunity for a patient to stabilize by receiving around the clock care, including psychiatric services, psychotherapy, medication management, and intensive therapy. An inpatient or residential mental health rehab setting offers a chance for the individual to remove themselves from environmental stressors or triggers and focus only on healing and recovery.

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide an individual with more flexibility in treatment scheduling if they are working or attending school. IOP for mental health conditions include individual therapy and group therapy 3-5 times per week. An individual may reside at home or in transitional housing during IOP. As they meet recovery benchmarks they can step down to weekly outpatient therapy.

TRANSITIONAL LIVING

Transitional Living is extremely beneficial for those recovering and stabilizing from mental health conditions. It allows an individual to adapt to daily normal life situations while living in a structured and supportive home environment. Transitional housing acts as a bridge between residential care and returning back to the home environment after an adjustment period.