St. Joseph Hospital offers various outpatient programs to assist patients with psychiatric needs.

Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the Partial Hospital Program (PHP) offers treatment for individuals with a psychiatric or co-occurring psychiatric and chemical dependence problem on an outpatient basis.

Designed for patients who do not require intensive treatment, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides treatment for the same psychiatric or co-occurring treatment needs as the more intensive inpatient and partial hospital programs in a three-hour per day structure.

For a person afflicted with a serious medical condition, illness can trigger emotional or psychological issues. This program is designed to support individuals with a variety of medical concerns, such as cancer, renal problems, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain and surgical issues. On the days an individual attends the program, he or she will attend three group sessions, or a longer day with six therapy groups if needed. Families are included in the treatment.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a procedure that uses electricity to create chemical changes in the brain that can treat severe depression and other mental illnesses, as well as certain illnesses such as Parkinson's disease. Learn more about ECT.

Medicine assisted therapy (MAT) uses primarily psychotherapy assisted by psychiatric prescribed medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with substance use disorders – specifically opioids. Learn more about the MAT Program.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with major depressive disorder who have not been able to regain their quality of life from talk and/or medication therapies alone. St. Joseph Hospital is proud to be the first hospital in Orange County to offer TMS therapy for the treatment of depression. Learn more about TMS therapy.

Neurobehavioral Evaluation Treatment Services (NETS) provides various treatment services for those struggling with treatment resistant depression. Esketamine therapy is provided by a team of board-certified physicians and nurse practitioners along with the assistance of registered nurses. Learn more about Esketamine therapy.

In addition to generally psychiatric and co-occurring treatment programs, specialty tracks are also offered as Outpatient Services. These specialty tracks include education and treatment focused on the specific needs of individuals who suffer from:

• Bipolar Disorder
• Dual Diagnosis (co-occurring psychiatric and chemical dependency)
• Postpartum Depression (New Mothers with Maternal Depression Program)

Patients may be admitted to the program after a brief face-to-face assessment interview if they experience symptoms that interfere with major obligations but do not require 24-hour care. These symptoms include intense mood swings, decreased concentration, increased stress or anxiety and other psychiatric issues. Other basic requirements for the program include:

• Diagnosis with a major mental illness and the patient is willing to participate in active treatment
• 18 years of age or older
• Medically able to participate in treatment
• Willingness to be admitted voluntarily by an attending psychiatrist

Patients who may require restraints or seclusion, or who are non-compliant with treatment, are not appropriate for the partial program.

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Dedicated to ongoing support for patients in need of psychiatric treatment, St. Joseph Hospital offers an Aftercare Support Group led by a licensed social worker. In each session, patients meet with others who are adjusting to life with a psychiatric diagnosis and explore new coping strategies for current life transitions. Topics discussed in the group include:

• Self-esteem
• Public perceptions of mental illness
• Relationships
• Anxiety
• Career issues
• Depression
• Bipolar management
• Grief
• Finding value, meaning and purpose
• Coping with toxic people
• Personal growth
• Life balance
• Codependency
• Self-care
• Communication