If you are severely depressed, you need to seek treatment. This is not something that usually goes away on its own without counseling, medication, etc. One option you have to help you feel better is an intensive outpatient program. Below is information on how this works so you can find a program in your area.

Intensive Outpatient Program

An intensive outpatient program treats depression, as well as other problems, such as addiction and eating disorders. This is chosen if you do not require detox or do not need to be supervised 24/7.  With outpatient treatment, you can live your daily life as normal and be able to stay at home with your family or by yourself. 

This intensive outpatient program will include individual counseling. You may also go to group therapy sessions with people dealing with depression and other problems. The program can get you in touch with support groups in your area to help you after you finish the program. If you need help, they may offer life skills classes to get you back out in the workforce again or to help you live independently. 

How Depression is Treated

The therapist may choose to use Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) as a way to treat your depression. This therapy helps you focus on changing negative behaviors and thoughts into more positive ones. For example, you may have negative behaviors and thoughts that contribute to your depression symptoms.  The therapist may ask you to keep a daily journal, do meditation, exercise, eat healthily, and develop a good sleeping program. This involves going to bed and waking up at the same time each day. 

Talk therapy is also often used to treat depression. Your therapist may choose to use talk therapy along with CBT to treat you. During talk therapy, you talk with the therapist about your feelings and thoughts. You may have something in your past that you are not aware of that is causing you to feel depressed. You may have issues currently in your life that are causing you to be depressed or making your depression worse. Learning about these things can help you make changes in your life. 

If you need medication, the therapist can suggest a psychiatrist. If you choose this the therapist and psychiatrist may work together to treat you. 

Talk with a provider in your area to learn more about how intensive outpatient therapy programs work.

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