Our Behavioral Health Levels of Care

At Agape, our inpatient program provides a structured therapeutic environment where clients can dedicate themselves to stabilization and recovery completely free from the distractions and stressors of everyday life. Each day in the inpatient program is structured with evidence-based clinical programming such as individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, and medication management. Clinical staff members collaborate with the psychiatric team to assess and modify client treatment plans on a continuous basis.

Inpatient treatment is not merely a holding place, but rather an active component of the recovery process. All aspects of the program have been designed to prepare clients for transition into the next phase of their treatment plan, whether that is a partial hospitalization program or another form of treatment. Discharge planning begins early, ensuring that transitions are thoughtful, coordinated, and supported.

Agape’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides a highly structured, clinically-based approach that involves multiple hours of therapeutic programming per week. Clients are able to live at home, pursue employment, attend school, or fulfill family responsibilities while continuing to receive reliable, structured support.

Our IOP uses evidence-based practices including group therapy, individual therapy, and skill-based programs focusing on improving emotional regulation and interpersonal effectiveness and preventing relapse. Our dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and psychoeducation components are central to the IOP experience and equip clients with tools they can apply directly to their daily lives.

IOP is ideal for individuals who have successfully completed a PHP or inpatient treatment and are ready for a less intensive structure as well as those whose symptoms do not necessitate a higher level of care but who benefit from additional support beyond standard outpatient therapy. IOP is also a good fit for people managing substance use disorder alongside mental health issues, as both can be treated simultaneously within the program.[2]

Outpatient therapy is the most flexible level of care and is designed for clients who have achieved stability and are ready to maintain and build on their progress through regular, ongoing clinical support. Standard outpatient treatment generally takes place one to a few sessions per week and can be delivered in various formats including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, or combinations of these. 

At Agape, outpatient treatment is viewed as a valuable component of the continuum of care and not just a requirement before discharge. Many people find success at this level of care, developing greater understanding of themselves, refining coping mechanisms, and doing the long-game work of psychotherapy in a supportive environment that supports their growing autonomy. Each of our licensed clinicians works collaboratively with outpatient clients to identify specific goals, monitor progress, and determine if changes to their level of support are warranted over time.

Outpatient care can also serve as the entry point to treatment for clients whose symptoms do not require a higher level of care at the outset, or who are looking for mental health services for the first time and want to start at a less intense pace.

Mental health recovery rarely occurs in isolation, and the people closest to someone in treatment are often significantly impacted by their loved one’s struggles. To recognize this and to support families throughout the recovery process, our Family Support Program provides the education, training, and clinical support needed to allow families to contribute positively to the recovery process.

Through the Family Support Program at Agape, families participate in formally scheduled family therapy sessions, learn about mental health conditions and treatment, and receive direct assistance to address their own emotional responses to their loved one’s illness. Our clinical team helps families to develop effective communication patterns, establish healthy boundaries, and create an environment that reinforces the knowledge and skills learned during treatment. When properly implemented and clinically guided, studies show that family involvement significantly increases successful treatment outcomes.[3] We firmly believe that healing as a family benefits all members of that system, and we are committed to making that support possible.

Completing a formal treatment program is a major accomplishment, but it does not mean the journey is over. Planning for aftercare and providing post-treatment support are key elements in sustaining mental wellness after leaving a structured treatment program. That is why at Agape, discharge planning begins well before a patient’s final day.

Our aftercare services are designed to ensure that each client completing a program at Agape has a clear, individually tailored plan outlining their next steps. These options may include continuation of outpatient therapy, access to peer support groups, referrals to community mental health services, coordination of medication management follow-up, case management, and connection with other supporting networks in the client’s local community. 

The time period shortly after structured treatment ends is a high-risk time for people in recovery.[4] We take this phase very seriously. Our multidisciplinary team develops a comprehensive plan for each client, identifying potential transitions and equipping them with the skills, tools, and support networks required to successfully navigate the world with confidence and resilience.