An intensive outpatient therapy program puts people through vigorous treatment for a variety of moderate-risk and high-risk mental health problems, such as substance abuse disorder, severe depression, and severe anxiety. Intensive outpatient programs require entrants to commit to a strict treatment schedule of several hours a week for 90+ days, which can be a challenge. If you plan to enter an intensive outpatient program, use these tips on how to succeed.

1. Avoid Temptation/Triggers

Outpatient programs allow you to go home every night where you may encounter temptations or triggers that elicit unproductive behavior. Minimize these triggers whenever possible and learn coping mechanisms to get through difficult thoughts. 

2. Prioritize Physical Health 

The body and mind are directly connected. In order to help your mind, take conscious steps to prioritize your physical health as well. Highly active people may choose to go for regular long-distance runs or enroll in spin classes at the gym. Less physically inclined people can take beginner yoga classes or play a friendly game of volleyball. Some high-end treatment centers will have amenities on-site to encourage your physical well-being.

3. Allow Yourself to Be Vulnerable 

In order to get the most out of treatment, you should allow yourself to open up. It can be difficult to talk about mental health problems, especially if you have trust issues or expression issues. Start by giving an update during every therapy session. Talk about the things you feel comfortable disclosing without lying. Ideally, you will be able to disclose more and more with each session. You can use creative tools, such as art or poetry, to help you express yourself better.  

4. Accept Help

Treatment will not work unless you can accept to yourself that you need help. When you accept that you need help, you will let your guard down enough to let people help you through this difficult time. Yes, you need to do the work yourself. However, people in therapy can act as mentors and family can act as a support system outside of treatment. 

5. Continue Treatment 

After you graduate from the intensive treatment program, you should arrange for additional therapy to keep you on the right track. Aftercare usually consists of individual therapy or group therapy. At this point in your care, no one will hold you accountable for continuing treatment. You have to hold yourself accountable.

Contact a local intensive outpatient therapy program to learn more.