Inpatient vs. Outpatient Therapy: What’s the Difference? (2024)

The most significant difference between inpatient and outpatient therapy is where the patient stays during their treatment. For inpatient therapy, a person lives with other patients during their stay. Inpatient therapy may be considered “full time” because you need to pause other life obligations like work or school. Outpatient therapy happens outside of this hospital or residential system. If you’re an outpatient, you’ll go “in and out” of therapy for timed treatment sessions.

This article discusses which situations may call for inpatient treatment and which can be served in outpatient therapy.You’ll also learn more about which may be the most appropriate choice (and how to decide).

Types of Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient therapy is designed in part to take away the immediate demands of everyday living so you can focus more on treatment. Hospitalization and inpatient treatment may be necessary in cases of self-harm and suicidality in an attempt to help keep the patient safe.

Inpatient treatment is for the following:

• Eating disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Psychotic disorders
• Self-harm
• Alcohol use disorder
  
• Suicidality
• Medically assisted detox from substances (alcohol, opiates, etc)

Inpatient treatment includes a variety of program services that may include psychiatric evaluation, talk therapy, group therapy, nutritional therapy, and medical support.

Types of Outpatient Treatment

Types of outpatient treatment include virtual therapy programs and in-person therapy programs using a range of strategies and tools to help in recovery. Outpatient therapy typically includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which is considered the gold standard of talk therapy. There are several options for outpatient treatment, including the following types of therapy:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT techniques and tools can help you identify what your life problems are stemming from, how to modify unwanted thinking patterns and ways of coping with everyday stress, and how to reach your recovery goals.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy that is typically for mood disorders and personality disorders. It includes deeper aspects of self-reflection and how the unconscious mind may be playing a role in your current situation.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a form of talk therapy that looks at the whole family unit and their relationships with each other. It uses the family unit to address underlying trauma and strategies for healing and helping a loved one sustain recovery over time.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EMDR is purposed to help a person who has traumatic stress and associated symptoms. It has proved effective in helping reduce psychological stress associated with traumatic experiences and improving the overall level of functioning in people with traumatic stress.

Differences Between the Two

Differences between inpatient and outpatient therapy include the amount of time spent in therapy and the level of frequency of support during treatment. People experiencing inpatient therapy may have access to a greater level of support and community during treatment (i.e., access to nurses, nutritionists, and different types of mental health professionals in one facility).

Inpatient care isn’t designed to continue indefinitely. The goal of inpatient therapy is to establish independent living by using the correct level of care to treat your illness.

Making the Right Choice

The right choice is ultimately the one that best supports recovery. The good news is that both inpatient and outpatient therapy are effective.

Inpatient therapy may be suggested to you, but it may be financially out of reach even if you have insurance because time away from work and other responsibilities is necessary during inpatient therapy. Outpatient therapy may be a more affordable option.

Consider talking to your healthcare provider about how to access inpatient therapy if any of the following applies:

• You’re still seeking a psychiatric diagnosis or are questioning a current diagnosis.
• You need medications adjusted or stabilized.
• Supervision is necessary (during acute or sudden-onset mental health episodes or symptom worsening).
• You have multiple diagnoses (e.g., a substance use disorder and eating disorder)

Summary

Inpatient therapy and outpatient therapy provide different levels of support to people in treatment for mental health disorders and substance use disorders. Inpatient may be suggested in cases of mental health or medical crisis, or where external and at-home supports are lacking. Outpatient therapy is available for treating the same disorders but on a more part-time or “in-and-out” basis. Inpatient requires a person to pause other obligations such as work, school, and caregiving roles.

A Word From Verywell

Inpatient therapy may be a necessary part of recovery for many people, and it can be the source of additional support a person needs to reach symptom remission. Outpatient therapy after discharge can help with the transition back into "everyday living." If inpatient is not possible for you, know that outpatient therapy can be just as effective. You can recover in either setting—and you are worth it.