Are you or your loved one struggling to manage a mental illness and in need of treatment?
We understand that choosing the right mental health treatment for yourself or a family member suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or psychosis can prove challenging. Especially since several aspects must be considered when choosing a facility that will offer high-quality care while also meeting specific needs. Unfortunately, many admissions to mental health treatment programs are prompted by an urgent need for intervention, leaving little time for a thorough investigation of your options.
In the following article, we will discuss how you can find suitable mental health treatment for yourself or your loved ones, and we will look at the different kinds of treatment options available and list how each can help.
So, where do you begin mental health treatment?
For individuals who are struggling to manage the symptoms of mental illness and require treatment, here are some suggestions for quickly choosing the right program.
Ask for recommendations
If you or a family member is hospitalized, ask the treating physician for a recommendation. “Where would you refer a family member with a similar condition?” This is an excellent question to ask. Public health commissions, mental health associations, and government agencies can also help guide the families of individuals who have a mental illness.
Research prospective mental health programs
Once you have narrowed your options to a handful of programs, you can begin your research. There are several critical criteria to consider, including:
- Professional credentials. Research the credentials of the medical staff. You can read their bios online. The facility you choose should have licensed psychiatrists and psychologists on site who have experience treating your loved one’s specific condition.
- Accredited facility. Narrow down your options to mental health treatment programs accredited by the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission’s Behavioral Health Care Accreditation program holds healthcare facilities to rigorous patient safety and care standards.
- Services offered. An excellent mental health treatment program will provide various services to build a comprehensive plan of care for each patient, including individual therapy, group therapy, structured activities, vocational skills, and medication management.
- Varying levels of care. Look for a facility with inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Upon intake, the organization’s mental health professionals should assess your loved one to determine the most appropriate level of care.
Visit the facilities
Your web research should help you narrow your choices to one or two mental health treatment programs. The next step is to arrange a personal visit to the facility to meet the providers and medical professionals who will be caring for your loved one. Prepare to inquire and take notes. The following questions serve as an excellent starting point:
- Does the program specialize in treating individuals with my loved one’s specific condition?
- What treatment, services, and care do you offer, and how are they individualized to meet my loved one’s needs?
- What opportunities will I be involved in my loved one’s treatment and recovery?
- Does the program offer medication as part of treatment, if necessary?
- What will my expenses be? Do you accept insurance?
- What types of amenities and activities do you offer?
- What are your visiting hours and policies?
You should also make observations about the staff and facility. Take note of whether the staff is friendly and if the patients are treated with kindness and warmth. Are the facilities clean? Is the staff involved in day-to-day activities? If possible, visit the treatment centers unannounced to get a true feel for what it’s like to be enrolled in the program. Rehabilitation facilities should provide a safe and homely environment where individuals can feel comfortable and secure.
Mental health programs available at Alvarado Parkway Institute
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, our treatment options will be tailored to individual needs and will incorporate evidence-based practices to address common problems among first responders and their family members.
Patients battling drug use disorders and mental health difficulties will get a combined, evidence-based treatment that begins with an evaluation by a counselor educated specifically in addictive disorders.
Intensive outpatient program
The Alvarado Parkway Institute’s Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are intended for individuals who do not need the higher degree of structure offered by a residential or PHP program. IOPs allow clients to access various medical, psychiatric, and educational services during the day while returning to their own homes at night.
Our intensive outpatient programs are designed for those patients who have mild to moderate symptoms, have strong support networks, and can function independently. Because of the flexibility of an outpatient setting, patients may immediately apply the skills and methods they learned in therapy to their everyday lives. IOP is available up to 3 days a week for 3 hours per day. Clients may choose between a morning and an afternoon track.
Alvarado Parkway Institute’s outpatient programs include:
High-intensity treatment for behavioral health, dual diagnosis, and addictive disorders
Working through mental health conditions on your own can be difficult and often requires more professional care to help work through severe conditions. Our compassionate counselors are trained to cater individualized treatment to our patients whether you have a behavioral health concern such as depression or anxiety, have an addictive disorder, or have a combination of the two (also called Dual Diagnosis).
Advanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Advanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a standard method of psychological treatment used to help treat a range of behavioral health and addictive disorders, including anxiety, depression, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, eating disorders, relationship problems, and other serious mental illnesses.
This form of therapy generally helps individuals recognize harmful thinking patterns to incorporate positive life changes. Then, we’ll help you develop strategies to help overcome these destructive thoughts.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies to help individuals become more aware of how they think and to embrace those thoughts and feelings rather than feeling guilty about them. But, of course, the easiest way to overcome a problem is to solve it, so we encourage patients to use strategies to work through their issues rather than distance themselves from them.
Experiential process groups
Experiential process groups are a form of group therapy. Group therapy allows individuals to meet with a group of peers who are also in recovery. A counselor will facilitate the session.
There are several advantages to group therapy, including (but not limited to) developing self-awareness, gaining unique perspectives, and finding a support system.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a method of treatment that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga. By increasing mindfulness, individuals can reduce their stress levels and emotional reactivity to certain situations.
This treatment method is often used for the following health conditions: ADHD, anger, anxiety, chronic pain, depression, fatigue, headaches, high blood pressure, sleep problems, and stress.
Medication management with a psychiatrist
Mindfulness, therapy, and group support sometimes aren’t enough to treat a mental illness. Medication is often required to treat more severe mental health conditions.
Our team will help you determine if medication is a viable option for you, alongside a personal psychiatrist to work with you to find the best medication for your individual needs. Some people are opposed to medication and may be afraid of becoming dependent, but this can be an excellent treatment option to help you feel like your normal self again.
Family education and support
Family members are encouraged to become involved and educated around the mental health disorders that our patients face. We provide support for family members and resources to help them better understand what you are going through. We firmly believe that having a good support group (whether family members or friends or the peers you meet in a group program) can make a difference in your overall treatment.
We offer a virtual family and friends support group via Zoom every Tuesday at 5 pm (Pacific Time). Get the access code and learn more here.
Inpatient treatment program
Our Inpatient treatment program is designed for those who have severe symptoms of mental illness, drug misuse, or a combined diagnosis. Our professional therapists and nurses at Alvarado Parkway Institute provide 24-hour care until clients attain stability and no longer risk themselves or others. This high level of care allows clients to focus only on their recovery in a safe, controlled environment devoid of outside distractions. Individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, family therapy, medication management, and other evidence-based treatments are offered to inpatient patients to help them achieve stability and prevent re-hospitalization.
The Alvarado Parkway Institute’s inpatient program offers highly structured mental health treatment to those aged 18 and above who have significant risk factors and severe psychiatric symptoms. Each client is given a personalized plan of care that focuses on rapid stabilization, recognizing the signs of mental illness, and proposing the next level of care, community re-integration, and discharge planning. Inpatient therapy is directed by a psychiatrist and carried out by a diverse team of skilled clinicians who work together to develop a therapeutic program that results in a successful recovery.
Partial hospitalization programs
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are recommended for individuals who are at high risk of relapse or who have difficult mental symptoms but do not need round-the-clock treatment. Our program’s purpose is to teach individuals with mental illness or addiction the skills they need to live a secure and healthy life without disrupting their daily routines. Partial hospitalization combines intensive inpatient therapy with outpatient flexibility to assist people with mental illness or drug addiction disorders. It is the highest degree of outpatient care.
The PHP program is offered at Alvarado Parkway Institute five days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Clients return home in the evenings to spend time with family and friends and to apply the skills they’ve learned. Clients engaged in PHP get individual and group treatment, psychiatric examinations, and stress management and relaxation training as part of this regimented programming.
The partial hospitalization program is tailored to each client’s requirements. Clients and staff work collaboratively to set and achieve treatment objectives.
Residential treatment
We can refer patients to a voluntary Residential Program that is based on evidence-based therapy and offers a schedule tailored to each client’s specific requirements. In order to meet your mental health requirements around the clock, we offer you a compassionate, individualized atmosphere.
Together, we will control your symptoms, provide you with the tools to recover and teach you the life skills necessary to be successful on your own when treatment is over.
Drug addiction recovery & detox
Alvarado Parkway Institute’s Choose Recovery Program is designed to help those who are struggling with drug addiction or co-occurring disorders get and stay clean. Our team of dedicated physicians and allied health specialists provides clients with treatment services such as detoxification, family therapy, individual psychotherapy, rigorous group therapy, and aftercare planning. To ensure safe detoxification, physicians and clinical personnel utilize hospital-approved pharmacological techniques. Every attempt is made to make the detoxification process as painless as possible.
Chemical dependency programs
Alvarado Parkway Institute has several dependency programs. These chemical dependency programs include:
- Alcohol addiction: Alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder are other terms for alcohol addiction. It’s one of the most frequent addictions in the country, with an estimated 16.6 million people suffering from it. Alcohol addiction develops when excessive drinking regularly causes damage or suffering.
- Opioid use disorder: Opioid use disorder is characterized by a physical and psychological dependence on opioids, a chemical present in some prescription pain treatments, as well as illicit substances such as heroin.
- Prescription drug addiction: Prescription pharmaceuticals are medications that have been licensed by the FDA and are used to treat the symptoms of illnesses and other medical conditions. Even when taken as directed, they may trigger bodily changes that lead to addiction. The probability of prescription medication addiction skyrockets when they are taken in ways other than those recommended by a doctor.
- Other substance use disorders: Substance dependence is the medical term for drug or alcohol misuse that persists even after severe issues have arisen due to their usage.
We work with clients to help them develop healthy coping skills to avoid relapse and improve their quality of life so that they may effectively reintegrate into the community.
Regular counseling services
A personalized treatment plan is developed for each patient at the API Counseling Group, which is adapted to their specific needs and circumstances. API counseling is great for individuals who are moving from a higher level of care or who are seeking continuous therapeutic assistance. Our patients tend to find counseling a valuable transitional therapy option.
A licensed mental health practitioner is on hand at the API Counseling Group to provide individual, couple, and family counseling to anyone in need. When you come to us for individual therapy, you will work one-on-one with one of our highly trained therapists in a secure, compassionate, and private environment. Individual therapy is also known as “psychotherapy” or “counseling.” We will work with you to analyze your emotions, beliefs, and behaviors, work through painful or influential memories that have shaped your life, identify aspects of your life that you would like to change, better understand yourself and others, and set personal goals during your counseling sessions.
Evening therapy program
Our evening program provides rigorous, action-oriented, time-limited therapy to assist their loved ones in functioning well in their daily life. It may also support a harm reduction approach to addiction treatment, increasing access to care for persons at various stages of recovery.
This program is organized in a 12-week module, with services available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Our family support group, which meets on Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., is considered an essential aspect of therapy. Each in-person session of our evening program also includes a small supper. We also provide telehealth and virtual therapy sessions for our evening program for individuals who cannot come to our facilities or want to get treatment in the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual group therapy
We’ve recently started a Group Connect program to help individuals connect with groups virtually from the comfort of your own home. Contact us at 619-333-7050 for additional information.
Your search for a mental health treatment program ends here
At Alvarado Parkway Institute, we believe that recovery from mental illness is possible – especially when treatment is started early and the patient plays an active role in their path to wellness. Our mission is to help individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and psychosis overcome the symptoms of their condition and achieve stability for a happy, healthy life.
Schedule a personal tour or drop by our accredited facility today to see how Alvarado Parkway Institute can help your loved one return to their personal best. Give us a call at (619) 667-6125 to learn more.
