Outpatient therapy is a course of treatment that is offered when the client is not admitted to a hospital, residential program, or clinic. It is a non-residential treatment where the patient spends structured time in treatment during the day or evening and returns home each night. Outpatient therapy is delivered during one- or two-hour sessions weekly, every other week, or monthly with a therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Outpatient therapy is well suited for those with mild to moderate symptoms who can function outside the treatment setting.

Outpatient therapy is not one-size-fits-all, and most mental health treatment programs involve some combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, and aftercare, but treatment plans are customized to meet the specific needs of each individual. Services involve case management, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, family therapy, patient education, crisis intervention, recovery services, and more.

Outpatient therapy is used to support recovery and rehabilitation, delivered through a series of visits to a private clinic or outpatient rehab facility. It is also used when recovering from an illness, surgery, or injury, and the goal of this rehab is to help the patient heal and get back to their everyday activities.

The main advantage of outpatient therapy is continuity, as it allows the patient to continue to live their life while they are in treatment. However, outpatient therapy can also present challenges, especially for those who have had a severe accident, sickness, or other crisis.