If you have been experiencing significant struggles with your mental health or are in the midst of a mental health crisis, residential psychiatric treatment can be an important part of your recovery. But while residential treatment provides the best possible foundation for long-term recovery, the decision to seek treatment can be intimidating and anxiety-inducing. Many people have questions about what happens in a residential mental health treatment program and what they should expect when pursuing treatment.
At Atlanta Center for Mental Health, we work with you to demystify the recovery process. Knowing what to expect in our residential psychotherapy center helps alleviate the potential nerves our clients may feel and can make the decision to pursue treatment less daunting. To learn more about what daily life looks like in residential treatment, call Atlanta Center for Mental Health at 833.625.0458.
What to Know Before You Begin Psychiatric Residential Treatment
You may be unsure what you can bring to a psychiatric residential treatment center. Fortunately, the treatment center will likely provide everything you need. Residential treatment is about building a foundation for your recovery, so they will provide a structured home-like setting to promote holistic recovery. The staff will be available around the clock and provide structured time blocks for counseling, free time, and meals.
This highly structured approach also means you will want to avoid distractions to allow you to focus entirely on your recovery. You will likely not be allowed access to your cell phone or other entertainment devices. You should leave most things at home, bringing only the essentials such as:
- A few sets of comfortable, casual, and appropriate clothes
- Personal hygiene items
- Personal effects such as pictures of loved ones
- Insurance information
- Contact information for friends or family who you wish to call during your stay
- Prescription medication in their original bottles with the necessary dosages
What to Expect in a Residential Psychotherapy Center
Treatment in each residential psychotherapy center will likely be slightly different from another. Each person’s experience with mental health will be unique, as will their path to recovery. However, quality residential psychological treatment centers will likely share some commonalities. These include:
- An assessment and intake process
- A structured treatment schedule
- Time for rest, recreation, and relaxation
Assessment and Intake Process
The first part of the treatment process is check-in and assessment. After you arrive and complete the necessary paperwork, you will be given a tour of the facility and your room. You’ll also meet with the nursing staff, therapists, and psychiatrists. They will conduct an initial assessment to review your medical history, records, current medications and discuss treatment issues. Your therapist will work with you to establish your goals for treatment and then begin constructing a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan for your stay in residential treatment.
Structured Treatment Schedule
After check-in and introductions are complete, you will receive a schedule for your time in residential treatment. Your days will be heavily structured, especially in the beginning stages of treatment. This allows you to focus entirely on your recovery and create healthy habits that will help you after your time in residential treatment ends. Your days will be focused on residential counseling and evidence-based treatments, which provide the cornerstone for recovery. However, the exact nature of your schedule will be individual and based on meeting your mental health needs with a variety of therapeutic modalities. Your schedule may include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Dialectical-behavior therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Dual-diagnosis treatment
- Mental health education
Rest, Recreation, and Relaxation
While residential psychiatric treatment is far from a vacation, your treatment process still includes ample time for rest, recreation, and relaxation. This time offers the chance to process and absorb what you learn and discover during residential counseling. Some days in recovery may also be emotionally draining or intense, so the downtime also can be a necessary part of the healing and reflection process. Reading is a popular choice during recreational time, as is journaling. Your recovery program may also include holistic therapies and recreational activities such as:
- Art therapy
- Music therapy
- Guided meditation
- Yoga
- Exercise
Learn More About Life in Residential Psychological Treatment Centers With Atlanta Center for Mental Health
Receiving treatment may seem daunting, but it often is an essential first step to recovery. In treatment with Atlanta Center for Mental Health, you will learn more about your mental illness, find healthy coping mechanisms and positive habits, and build a foundation for healing and recovery. To learn more about the treatment process, call Atlanta Center for Mental Health at 833.625.0458 or fill out our online contact form to learn more about the treatment process.
