NexStep Teen Academy

Teens sitting together in group therapy, symbolizing outpatient treatment that supports recovery while balancing daily life.

How Does Teen Outpatient Treatment Work?

Navigating the mental health treatment scene can be challenging. There are numerous options to choose from. Teen outpatient treatment stands out above the rest. It is a mental treatment approach that allows your teen to receive treatment with minimal disruption to their schedule. They can continue going to school or work. Outpatient treatment also offers varying levels of care. Your teen’s needs will be assessed, and an appropriate program will be recommended. Your teen can be enrolled in a standard, intensive, or partial hospitalization program. All these programs are customizable to ensure your teen is treated effectively. 

This article aims to educate parents on the structure of outpatient treatment. It will also explore different approaches used in mental health treatment. Finally, you will get to understand the benefits of enrolling your teen in an outpatient program. For further information, visit NexStep Teen Academy’s website. 

The Structure of Teen Outpatient Treatment

Doctor reviewing an initial assessment on a clipboard, representing the first step in structured teen outpatient treatment.

Outpatient treatment is flexible and accessible. It offers comprehensive treatment while remaining customizable. Typically, outpatient treatment is structured as follows: 

Initial Assessment

Before your teen can begin therapy, they need to undergo a mental health assessment. This assessment enables the therapist to understand your teen’s mental health struggles better. You and your teen will be asked to complete a questionnaire during the initial assessment. The questionnaire aims to collect relevant medical information. It can also be used to assess the severity of your teen’s mental health condition. 

After successfully filling out the questionnaire, your teen will be interviewed by a therapist. The interview helps the therapist understand your teen better. The therapist will learn about your teen’s personality, personal experiences, and goals. The interview can also include a comprehensive mental evaluation to confirm your teen’s diagnosis. 

Your teen may also undergo a physical examination. Illnesses can cause symptoms of mental health conditions. A physical evaluation helps to rule out any physical causes of your teen’s mental health struggles.

Treatment Planning

Upon completion of the assessment, a treatment plan is developed. You and your teen will work collaboratively with the therapist to create an appropriate treatment plan. Your teen will set their treatment goals and help in treatment scheduling. As a parent or guardian, your input is also required. You understand your teen better and can offer invaluable information about the treatment strategy. 

Therapy

Depending on your teen’s needs, they require different levels of care. Outpatient treatment contains the following programs: 

  • Teen Standard outpatient program (OPs): This type of treatment is ideal for teens with mild behavioral issues. Treatment is scheduled weekly or biweekly. 
  • Teen Intensive outpatient program (IOP): This is a step up from standard outpatient treatment. It is more intense and offers a higher level of care. IOP is suitable for teens who require more structure as they receive treatment. When you enroll your teen in an intensive program, they are expected to attend therapy sessions multiple times a week. Usually, your teen will see a therapist for up to 9 hours weekly. 
  • Teen Partial hospitalization program (PHP): This is the highest level of outpatient treatment. It is ideal for teens who require monitoring and supervision. For example, teens addicted to opioids may be suited for this type of treatment. If your teen is enrolled in a partial hospitalization program, they will see a therapist daily for 3 to 6 hours. 

In therapy, your teen will discuss their struggles. They will discuss their emotions and learn how to improve their mental health outcomes. Therapy also offers your teen an outlet for negative emotions. 

Support and Aftercare

Outpatient treatment offers support and aftercare services. It can connect your teen to support groups that provide ongoing care. Emotional support is a crucial part of mental health treatment. It helps hold teens accountable and motivates them to practice positive coping mechanisms. 

What Happens in a Teen Outpatient Program?

Teens sitting in a therapy group session, representing the supportive environment of a teen outpatient treatment program.

Outpatient treatment uses various approaches to treat mental health conditions. These include the following: 

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is personalized to suit your teen’s needs. It involves one-on-one sessions that help teens process and understand their emotions. Individual therapy is important as it teaches teens how to manage their symptoms and triggers. It utilizes evidence-based and holistic approaches to ensure effective treatment. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps teens identify and modify negative thoughts. This helps teens overcome mental health conditions by changing how they think. 

Group Therapy

This psychotherapy approach involves several teens working with a therapist simultaneously. A group therapy session is usually moderated by a mental health practitioner. They guide the discussion and help teens unlearn negative behavior. It is based on the idea that humans are social creatures. Teens feel more comfortable around their peers than adults. Group therapy motivates teens to talk about their mental health struggles since they develop a sense of shared struggle. During group therapy, your teen will learn how to manage their symptoms from their peers. They will also learn to socialize as they have to participate in therapy sessions. 

Family Therapy

Family involvement is a key component of outpatient treatment. Family therapy seeks to address negative family dynamics and repair strained relationships. It also teaches parents how to effectively support teens as they receive treatment. 

Medical Management

Outpatient treatment may offer medical management. Depending on your teen’s needs, they may receive prescriptions to help them deal with mental health symptoms. For example, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are usually prescribed for teens with anxiety or depression. 

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment for Teens

Hand holding a card reading “COST EFFECTIVE,” symbolizing the financial benefits of outpatient treatment for teens.

Outpatient treatment offers numerous benefits. These include the following: 

Flexibility and Accessibility

Outpatient mental health treatment is flexible. It can be customized to align with your teen’s schedule. Your teen can continue with their daily activities with minimal disruption. Compared to inpatient treatment, outpatient programs are flexible and accessible. 

Cost-Effectiveness

Outpatient treatment is affordable. It is not resource-intensive, making it accessible to individuals from all walks of life. Additionally, many insurance providers cover outpatient treatment. This further reduces out-of-pocket costs for parents seeking treatment for their teens. 

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment

Although outpatient treatment is flexible, it still offers comprehensive mental health treatment. It uses evidence-based and holistic approaches to ensure successful treatment. When you enroll your teen in an outpatient program, they will receive the best of both worlds. They can receive emotional support from their peers and friends while receiving comprehensive care. 

Treatment at NexStep Teen Academy

NexStep Teen Academy is a premier mental health facility in Arizona. We offer high-quality outpatient treatment for teens aged 12 to 17. NexStep’s highly qualified staff ensures your teen receives high-quality treatment at an affordable price. The facility’s tranquil location helps them focus on overcoming mental health challenges. Our outpatient treatment takes place daily and can be customized to fit your teen’s schedule. This allows your teen adequate time to learn the skills required to overcome mental health challenges. 

If you are looking for high-quality treatment for your teen, NexStep Teen Academy is the right place. Contact us today to get more information about our services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following mental health conditions can be treated using outpatient treatment: 

  • General anxiety disorder
  • Major depression
  • attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder 
  • Conduct disorder 
  • Substance use disorder

Outpatient treatment can last anywhere between a few weeks and many months. It depends on the program selected and the complexity of your teen’s condition. Typically, treatment lasts between six and twelve weeks. 

Yes, your teen may receive medication management based on their needs. Partial hospitalization programs offer comprehensive medical management since sessions last longer. 

Yes, outpatient treatment is very effective in treating teens with mild to moderate substance use disorders. 

Yes, outpatient treatment can be modified to offer virtual therapy sessions. These sessions are important for crisis management.