4 Myths Debunked For Outpatient Mental Health Services
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Myth #1: Outpatient Mental Health Programs Are Only For Those Who Have Been Admitted To a Hospital.
Fact: Outpatient mental health programs provide treatment for anyone struggling with their mental health. These programs can serve adults, adolescents or children, and focus on a variety of mental health diagnoses.
At Charis our focus is to help children & adolescents (age 10-17) by providing a safe and patient-centered therapeutic environment with a focus on depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harm behaviors, school refusal, ADHD and trauma. Many of our patients have never been or may never need to be admitted to a hospital. Early intervention is the key to mental health treatment success.
Myth #2: All These Programs Want To “Drug” My Kid.
Fact: While some mental health struggles can be supported and managed with medication, real success is seen through the therapeutic interventions and support offered by outpatient programs. These programs help the patient understand what they are feeling & experiencing, learn how to manage their thoughts & feelings, learn how to interact with their family or others, and how to build the best plan for success in their healing journey.
At Charis our patients receive support from both our clinical team and medical team and if medication is needed, we see it as a bridge to help in their journey, not a bandage to cover up the real work that needs to be done.
Myth #3: People Will Think We Failed As Parents If My Child Needs Treatment.
Fact: Parenting is hard enough, but when your child is struggling, parents can feel a range of emotions. Mental health professionals understand that life can be hard and strive to provide a space free from judgement to allow healing & growth. The level of parental involvement during outpatient treatment looks different at each program, and most understand the importance of the family in the patient’s success.
At Charis, we provide two distinct services that focus on the family unit during the patient’s treatment – Family Therapy and Charis@home. Our family therapy involves weekly family sessions to develop and work on family goals, while also focusing on other topics, such as boundaries, expectations & consequences, screen-time, and parent-child relationships. And our Charis@home offers a unique approach to a family therapy session by meeting at the family home to help facilitate and support change in their own environment.
Myth #4: My Child Will Fail Their Classes Or Will Have To Repeat Their Grade Level To Get Treatment.
Fact: Many outpatient mental health programs have an educational/school component that addresses the patient’s educational needs in specific ways.
Here at Charis, we pride ourselves in our collaborative partnerships with local public & private schools, allowing our patients the ability to learn, complete assignments and participate with their current teachers and curriculum. Our Education Coordinator serves as a vital liaison between our patients, parents and schools by developing an academic plan specific to each patient, providing instruction when needed, and ensuring the patient's school re-entry process is smooth & supportive for continued success in their healing journey.
If you feel, or know that your child is struggling, please reach out to Charis at 817-997-4525 or visit our website to schedule a free assessment today.
