Outpatient vs. Inpatient Mental Health Care

Mental health treatment can seem overwhelming. There are many options and, if you’re not familiar with them, it can feel like a lot. You may have heard of inpatient care, referring to treatment provided to patients staying overnight in the hospital, or outpatient treatment, where people receive treatment but continue to stay at home. 

If you’re considering outpatient vs. inpatient mental health care, it’s normal to feel uncertain. But the good news is that you don’t have to make the decision alone. In this article, we’ll go over the differences between outpatient and inpatient mental health care and how mental health providers decide whether to recommend inpatient or outpatient care.

What is Inpatient Mental Health Care?

Inpatient mental health care, also referred to as psychiatric hospitalization, means that people live where they are receiving treatment. This could be a psychiatric unit in a hospital, a psychiatric hospital, or a center for substance abuse and addiction treatment. Here, they’ll be in a safe, controlled environment with 24/7 supervision.

Inpatient care is designed to stabilize symptoms for people who are in crisis or experiencing severe symptoms. They will get more intensive treatment and better access to services, including a team of psychiatrists, therapists, and nurses. Because the goal of inpatient care is to stabilize symptoms, people usually don’t stay in inpatient treatment for long. Most people stay 3 to 7 days on average, although this can vary based on symptoms or response to treatment.

What is Outpatient Mental Health Care?

Outpatient mental health care means that people don’t live at the treatment facility. However, there are several levels of outpatient mental health care based on intensity. These include:

• Standard therapy: A person talks to a therapist, either alone or in a group. They explore their feelings and learn healthier ways to cope. This is the least intensive outpatient treatment. Sessions last 45 to 60 minutes, with varying frequency depending on the situation.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP): A more structured program than standard therapy.  Individuals often attend treatment for 3 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week.
• Partial hospitalization (PHP): The most intensive form of outpatient treatment. Individuals attend treatment for 6-8 hours per day, several days a week, but then return home each night. 

Outpatient mental health care is best for people who have mild to moderate symptoms and need ongoing support in their daily lives.  It’s also more flexible and easier to access than inpatient care.

Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care

When comparing inpatient vs outpatient treatment, major differences include intensity, cost, and daily life.

Level of Supervision and Intensity

Inpatient care offers a structured and controlled setting. Here, people are removed from their daily stressors to focus entirely on themselves. They receive 24/7 continuous care, where much of the day is focused on treatment.

On the other hand, outpatient care is less intensive. Therapy sessions are scheduled, meaning that people incorporate treatment into their daily lives. Outpatient mental health care may also involve homework, where people practice using the skills they’ve learned.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Due to the level of care provided and residing at the treatment center, inpatient care is more expensive than outpatient care. Insurance usually covers hospital care, but patients might face high out-of-pocket costs. This includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Prior approval is usually needed for coverage.

Outpatient treatment costs less than inpatient care. However, costs depend on how often and how long the sessions are. Most insurance plans do cover outpatient treatment, but coverage limits and copays can vary. Prior approvals are usually not necessary for outpatient treatment, but may be required for PHP or IOP.

Many people feel overwhelmed by the costs of mental health treatment, especially if they don’t have insurance. However, financial assistance may be available for both inpatient and outpatient care, and there are a number of resources available to help you get the care you need.

Daily Life and Freedom

Because inpatient care is highly structured, individuals usually have little flexibility in their routines. Their schedules usually include individual therapy, group therapy, doctor meetings, and meal times. There is often a small amount of recreational free time. Individuals also need to take time off work or school to attend inpatient therapy.

Outpatient care gives more independence. However, it also means people must manage scheduling and attending treatment. People in outpatient mental health care are able to receive treatment while continuing to work, attend school, and manage their daily responsibilities, such as caring for children or pets. Some outpatient programs may also be virtual, which allows for more flexibility.

Duration and Transition Between Levels of Care

When people are discharged from inpatient care, there is often a step-down approach to help them transition from inpatient care to daily life and prevent any relapses. Typically, after an inpatient stay, people will transition to partial hospitalization. After partial hospitalization, they move to intensive outpatient therapy.

This helps them return to daily life while still getting support.  Finally, people will transition to traditional outpatient therapy. Your care team may also refer you to community recovery resources, such as support groups and online mental health tools.

PHP and IOP can be part of a step-down program. They can also help people who need intensive outpatient care without prior inpatient treatment. This can help prevent some people from needing inpatient care.

How to Choose Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care

Choosing between types of mental health treatment involves careful consideration of symptoms and professional assessment.

When Inpatient Mental Health Care May Be Needed

Inpatient mental health care is often needed if someone is a risk to themselves or others, if symptoms are severe, or if outpatient treatment isn’t working. Situations when to seek inpatient care include:

• Suicidal thoughts with a plan or intent that puts the person’s safety at risk.
• Safety concerns, such as the risk of harming others.
• Inability to care for oneself due to mental health symptoms.
• Psychosis, including hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) or delusions (believing things that aren’t true).
• Severe addiction, where a controlled setting is necessary for recovery.
• Extreme mood symptoms, such as mania with impulsive or risky behavior.
• Complex medical or medication needs, such as coordinating medication changes along with physical health conditions.

Inpatient mental health care can help stabilize symptoms during a crisis. However, outpatient treatment is necessary for long-term stabilization.

When Outpatient Care is a Good Fit

Outpatient care supports people in recovery. It offers therapy and medication to help prevent relapse. It helps people live safely at home while keeping up with their daily responsibilities. Healthcare providers might recommend outpatient care for:

• Manageable mental health symptoms that don’t require 24/7 supervision
• Those who aren’t a danger to themselves or others and have a safe home environment
• Those who are motivated, plan to attend treatment, and can implement coping skills in their daily lives
• Managing chronic mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, with stable symptoms.
• Those who have a support system available, including friends and family.

Consulting a Professional for Assessment

Making the decision between inpatient and outpatient therapy isn’t something that you’re responsible for on your own. Even if you decide to voluntarily admit yourself to a psychiatric hospital, you’ll be assessed to determine if inpatient treatment is best for your situation and to develop a treatment plan. If you already see a mental health professional, they might suggest inpatient treatment if they think it would be a good idea.

You can also ask them about it if you’re thinking that inpatient treatment might be helpful for you. If you’re not seeing a mental health professional and are in a crisis, you can go to the emergency room for an assessment. Both inpatient and outpatient services follow strict privacy laws, so your treatment information is kept confidential.

When a mental health professional makes an assessment, they consider many factors. They’ll review your diagnosis, treatment plan, and any past hospitalizations. They’ll also consider your ability to care for yourself, living environment, support system, and treatment goals. Together, this information will help them develop a treatment plan for you and specify the best level of care.

Takeaway

Inpatient care provides more intensive support and helps individuals through a crisis. Outpatient care is less intense, but it has different levels. These include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care. Choosing the best mental health treatment depends on several factors. These include the severity of symptoms, safety concerns, home environment, and support system. A mental health professional can use this information to guide you to the level of care needed.

Sources

Schiffer, M. (2023, September 20). Understanding Levels of Care in Mental Health Treatment. Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Retrieved from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer-professional/understanding-levels-care-mental

UCLA Health. (2025). Levels of Care: Psychiatric. UCLA Health. Retrieved from https://www.uclahealth.org/sites/default/files/documents/Levels%20of%20Care_Psychiatric.pdf