Outpatient Program (OP) in Pennsylvania
Synergy Houses Levels of Care
What is an Outpatient Program?
If you’ve ever experienced inpatient care, you know how intense it can be. Waking and sleeping, your entire life is wrapped up in that care. However, after the initial stages of recovery (from substance abuse, mental health challenges, or even illness), inpatient care is no longer necessary. You need to start getting back to normal life! This is where outpatient care comes in.
Outpatient care is treatment that is administered while a patient lives at home and continues to engage in their daily responsibilities. Clients are able to build routines outside of treatment while still being grounded in the program, which allows them to lean on professional resources and become equipped to handle life in sobriety.
This level of care offers therapy, counseling, and recovery support through scheduled sessions several times per week for a few hours at a time. OPs enable participants to practice real-world recovery skills between appointments. A flexible schedule also allows people to attend work or school while receiving professional support.
Outpatient care can include individual therapy, group counseling, and recovery skill development. OPs help people transition from more intensive treatment back into daily life. Participants learn to apply recovery tools in real-world situations while keeping a connection to clinical support and the recovery community.
How (and Why) Outpatient Care Works
Outpatient care provides a bridge between intensive treatment and independent living. Outpatient programs offer structured support while allowing people to practice recovery in real-world settings.[1]1 The programs work by combining clinical expertise with practical application.
While inpatient treatment creates a foundation for recovery, outpatient care helps people navigate daily challenges with professional care and guidance. This approach allows participants to become more resourceful as they engage in weekly therapy sessions that address challenges as they arise. These sessions help people develop new coping strategies and maintain accountability.
Efficacy of Outpatient Programs
Studies demonstrate the effectiveness of outpatient treatment in supporting long-term recovery, especially when they are included as part of a thorough treatment approach. Researchers who examined addiction treatment services found that extended outpatient care correlates with better outcomes. This research indicates that continued engagement in outpatient services reduces the likelihood of relapse and rehospitalization.[2]
The effectiveness of outpatient treatment depends on many factors, such as treatment duration. When people participate longer in outpatient treatment, they are less likely to be re-hospitalized. Programs that address both substance use and co-occurring disorders show improved outcomes.[3]
Research indicates that residential treatment followed by outpatient care provides increased success rates, especially among older clients and those with opioid use disorders.[4]
Outpatient at Synergy
At Synergy, our approach to outpatient treatment is integrated with our sober living program. Clients attend individual and group therapy sessions while building independence through work, education, or volunteer opportunities.
Our clinicians use evidence-based approaches like trauma-informed care, experiential therapies, and family systems to support recovery. The program emphasizes the development of practical skills and building connections within the community, with 90% of clients maintaining sobriety during treatment.
Most importantly, at Synergy, we recognize that recovery extends beyond the initial treatment phase. With outpatient care, our staff help provide the ongoing support needed for our clients to build confidence, develop healthy routines, and create a fulfilling life in recovery. This sustained engagement helps people move beyond simply maintaining sobriety to truly thriving in their new lives.
Our outpatient program integrates evidence-based clinical approaches with practical recovery support through the utilization of our three pillars of treatment: recovery, structure, and community.
Treatment incorporates multiple therapeutic modalities to address both substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges. These include:
- Trauma-Informed Care: Therapists utilize specialized approaches to address underlying trauma that often accompanies substance use disorders.
- Family Systems Work: Weekly family therapy sessions and regular updates help repair relationships and create healthier family dynamics. Virtual options ensure all families can participate, regardless of location.
- 12-Step Integration: Clinical care incorporates twelve-step principles while encouraging clients to build strong connections within the local recovery community.
- Group Therapy: Structured group sessions focus on relational repair and understanding interpersonal patterns that influence recovery.
- Individual Therapy: Focuses on addressing personal barriers and teaches practical tools for managing triggers and maintaining recovery.
- Relational Repair Therapy: We teach our clients new ways to build trust and maintain healthy connections by focusing on identifying how past experiences and trauma influence current relationships.
These modalities work together to address both immediate recovery needs and long-term emotional wellness. Our treatment team regularly assesses and adjusts approaches based on each client’s progress and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Outpatient at Synergy
What levels of outpatient care does Synergy offer?
Our program includes an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) meeting three days per week and standard Outpatient Treatment (OP) with flexible scheduling. Both integrate with our sober living program for support.
Does Synergy’s outpatient program accept insurance?
We work with insurance for clinical services as an out-of-network provider. Our team will help explain coverage options and payment arrangements during the admission process.
How long does outpatient treatment typically last?
While we require a minimum three-month commitment, most clients participate for seven to nine months as they progress through our system. Length of stay depends on individual progress and goals.
Sources
[1] Hoffman, K. A., Green, C. A., Ford II, J. H., Wisdom, J. P., Gustafson, D. H., & McCarty, D. (2012). Improving Quality of Care in Substance Abuse Treatment Using Five key Process Improvement Principles. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 39(3), 234–244. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3495233/
[2] Romelsjö, A., Palmstierna, T., Hansagi, H., & Leifman, A. (2005). Length of outpatient addiction treatment and risk of rehospitalization. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 28(3), 291–296. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0740547204001643
[3] NIDA. 2024, September 30. Co-Occurring Disorders and Health Conditions. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/co-occurring-disorders-health-conditions
[4] Stahler, G. J., Mennis, J., & DuCette, J. P. (2016). Residential and outpatient treatment completion for substance use disorders in the U.S.: Moderation analysis by demographics and drug of choice. Addictive Behaviors, 58, 129–135. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460316300648
