Your Level of Care: Navigating the world of therapy.

So, you’ve been exploring the world of therapy. Maybe you’re moving from program to program (while they’re totally leaving you in the dark about what exactly your treatment is), or maybe you’re waiting to dip your toes in,and you want to walk in knowing exactly what’s up. We get it—it can all be so overwhelming.

And there are a few different therapy options (which we call “levels of care”) that address your unique needs or specific situation, some that you didn’t even know about. But what if you’re having trouble finding something that might really work for you? You want to know exactly what the typical practices are in therapy clinics, so let’s dive in.

Levels of care can be tricky to understand. We are here to help you navigate the world of therapy.

How are mental health programs even structured?

So, if you didn’t already know, there is a step up/step down process that maps out the different levels of care you might need. From 1:1 therapy to hospitalization, clinics usually offer one or a couple of the services in house (that can make switching treatments really hard.) 

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What does “level of care” mean?

Sometimes you just need to go to therapy once a month. Other times once a week might be better. But not many people (including therapists) know that you can go to therapy more often than either of those.

So, when we say “levels of care” we’re talking about different therapy programs you can go to that offer more or less support as you need it:

Our IOP therapist, Charlie May, puts it like this: 

At the lowest level of care, there is individual psychotherapy, which typically meets once a week or once every other week. Folks can be in outpatient therapy briefly for a few months, or quite often for a more extended period of time, perhaps years.  Depending in part on the therapist’s assessment, they might recommend that the person be seen by a doctor or nurse that can prescribe medication. If symptoms persist or get worse, the next level of care is intensive outpatient treatment, which meets as a group 2 and a quarter hours per day, 4 days per week. The typical length of stay in IOP is between 6 and 12 weeks.

Learn about Charlie’s meditation-inspired therapy practices here.

How we approach levels of care

Since research shows that therapy can make a real difference over time (for some, as little as 3 months can make the difference) it’s all about finding a safe, supportive space that meets you where you are. What you’re looking for is a place that offers the right mix of services that can evolve with your needs every step of the way.

That’s what makes a whole-body wellness approach so important to us. We’ve seen first-hand how it increases the effectiveness of treatment. It’s not your typical therapy (and we proudly admit it) but with group sessions mixed in with things like yoga classes, acupuncture appointments, nutritional classes, (or whatever you see fit for your mental health) you and your therapist could build a treatment plan unlike any other. 

Find the dream therapist, therapy practice, and location. Everything you ever wanted in therapy starts with levels of care.

At Sanare, we offer almost the whole range of therapy care level options: 

Outpatient Programs (OP) — therapy once a week

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) — therapy 3-4x a week

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) — therapy 5x a week

This way you don’t have to stress over what your plan’s going to be after you move from one of these programs to the other (which is a more common experience than you’d think).

The best part? You don’t have to plan the path forward all by yourself. You’ve got someone special in your corner when you get mental health treatment. And we do individual check-ins throughout your time with us so we can help you figure out if you need to change programs, where you want to go next, and then help you do it seamlessly (and not get discouraged by having to fill out millions of insurance papers).

No matter where you are with your mental health right now, finding your way will be so much easier when you have the information you need about the different levels of care. 

Let’s talk about the different types of treatment you can find…

Outpatient Programs (OP) 

This is your normal therapy-once-a-week situation, either with a group or one-on-one with your therapist.

These programs bring together individuals from the community with common goals. You’re taught skills to help you overcome obstacles and how to move forward feeling empowered, resilient, and confident. 

Outpatient programs are a good fit for you if you need some support and guidance but aren’t in the midst of a growing crisis. They’re ‘light’ on the therapy scale and tend to meet virtually or in person once a week or every other week. 

For example, some programs meet on Zoom every other Thursday afternoon and other programs meet in person on Tuesday mornings. 

Life’s challenges come in many forms, and we have programs to help you navigate them—whether you’re managing chronic pain, working through emotional struggles, improving relationships, or expressing trauma through art. For those who have completed one of our IOP programs, our adult aftercare options provide continued support, connection, and an opportunity to strengthen the skills you’ve learned.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) 

IOPs are group therapy 3-4 days a week and last 6-8+ weeks. They’re designed to meet your individual needs and to help you thrive in a group setting. Think about short-term diets or learning something new (like an instrument). Like those goals, you practice new skills in a structured program to get the best results. They’re for individuals who are committed to multiple therapy sessions each week but still get to live their daily lives without interruption.

If you’re dealing with trauma, substance use, or are just struggling to thrive on a daily basis, IOP might be a good fit to help you get started.

Specifically, we offer the following IOPs:

IOP and PHP can be tricky to know which would be the best fit for you. Check out our IOP vs PHP blog for more detailed information about each type of treatment and its benefits. 

An example of skills that can be learned through hard work and commitment to the process. This level of care offers you a similar consistency to your learning process.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

PHP is offered for adults and adolescents. It bridges the gap between therapy once a week and hospitalization, but—even though it’s in the name—it doesn’t include any actual hospital stay. It’s right for individuals who may need more support and structure to their day than those in OP or IOP. It may be for you if you’re struggling with completing daily tasks, are unable to maintain relationships, or can’t work, go to school, or function like normal because your symptoms are more intense than usual.

PHP offers treatments similar to IOP groups but with more intensity and for longer periods of time. In addition to group sessions, you’ll have the time and space to reflect on your sessions, complete any assignments, and practice applying new skills, regulating your emotions, and recognizing triggers.

Our Exton, Pennsylvania location offers 5-days-a-week PHPs(PHP) that give enough guidance and mental health treatment to foster healing but still offer time for independence. 

Inpatient Hospitalization (Emergency Treatment)

Inpatient Hospitalization is the most restrictive type of mental health care program. You are required to be in a locked unit with 24/7 medical and therapy support. This level of care is for the highest mental health crisis. When you can’t keep yourself safe. Usually people stay no more than a week or so.

Residential (24/7) Programs 

Residential treatment can also be used by individuals that can’t keep themselves safe but they have to choose to be there. These require you to check in to a facility for a predetermined amount of time. You may be enrolled for 30, 60, or 90 days. 

The environment’s typically monitored 24 hours a day and offers intensive therapy. You may find this program helpful if you’re struggling with severe depression, substance use, trauma, addictions, or behavioral issues. 

These programs are offered in different settings for adolescents and adults. They usually incorporate group and individual therapy sessions, as well as activities such as painting, yoga, listening to music, and meditation. 

A little side note about family involvement in levels of care

Involving family members and loved ones in treatment is an important part of making real change. In our programs, we focus on building these connections to create a full and supportive recovery experience.

The way family is involved depends on the person’s age, treatment goals, and needs. Plans are created with their therapist to fit their situation. For adults in our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), we offer family support groups every two weeks. These groups give individuals and their families a chance to learn and grow together as they work through recovery.

For teens and tweens, family involvement often plays an even bigger role. In addition to regular family sessions, we may also work with schools to ensure support at home, in school, and beyond.

We are dedicated to making sure every person feels supported—not just by our team but also by stronger connections with their loved ones—every step of the way.

What level of care do you need right now?

So we let you in on what’s going on behind the curtains in the world of therapy (because it’s YOUR treatment and you deserve to know your options), but you still are unsure about where you fit into it all. 

To answer the question of how often you should see a therapist, you need to consider a few factors including:

  • The reason you’re going to therapy
  • Your mental health status
  • If you’re currently experiencing a crisis
  • The type of therapy you’re attending
  • Your schedule 
  • Your insurance and finances

Read more on that here.

The different kinds of emotions that trauma can express itself as (low self esteem, hopelessness, confusion, abuse, ptsd, fear, anger, pain.) Knowing if you need intensive care for trauma can be the first step in feeling better.

People working through childhood trauma will need a different frequency of sessions than someone who just wants a listening ear. We would love to tell you everything here and now but we can’t. We get into it in our article: How Often Should You Go To Therapy?

Your story’s unique and you deserve to talk to someone who gets that.

So let’s hop on a call today.

Don’t wait for things to get to the level of crisis or hospitalization. Take care of yourself now, while you are feeling able and see just how good it can get. Contact us to book your consultation.

Here’s what you can expect from your sign up process:

  1. You’ll call in, and our admissions team will help you schedule your initial consultation within 48 hours
  2. During your in-person or virtual consultation, one of our therapists will help determine which program (or trusted partner) will be the best fit for you
  3. You’ll show up to your first session (probably a little freaked out, and that’s totally fine), listen to others’ stories, and start gaining tools you can apply that same day

Get started here

We’re rooting for you.


Sanare Today is a mental health provider offering IOP, PHP, and outpatient therapy programs for adults dealing with childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, and more. We offer therapy in Philadelphia, PA; Wilmington, DE; Raleigh, NC and beyond. Get in touch with us here!

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