Adult Day Hospital Program
The Day Hospital Program of Overlake Medical Center is based on the belief that patients seeking care for psychiatric illnesses will have an option to engage in intensive treatment while also minimizing disruption to family, work or school and community. The program offers brief intensive therapy designed to meet the specific needs for stabilization of adults, ages 18 and older, experiencing mood-related disorders, such as severe depression and anxiety, and is often used as an effective alternative to inpatient services. Personalized treatment is provided in a group setting, Monday-Friday for six hours each day, for an average of five to eight days. The Day Hospital Program is located in an outpatient clinic and is independent of inpatient psychiatric care. Read our frequently asked questions.
The daily program structure includes evidence-based treatment methods, including medication management with physician participation, group therapies, activity therapies, individualized treatment planning and family or friend support. The product of the day’s work is improvement of specific coping skills with the benefit of practicing these skills immediately at home. The program focuses on the core therapies described below and medication management. See the weekly schedule.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you become aware of inaccurate or negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on building skills that develop and support healthy relationships with others. The sessions include clear communication and assertiveness skills, maintaining healthy boundaries, and coping with the impact of conflict, loss and guilt on relationships.
Life Balance Therapy
Life balance therapy provides exploration of the benefits of good, healthy structure and a balance within that structure. You will be encouraged to take small steps to re-engage in helpful activities including work or responsibilities, self-care, and healthy leisure as well as improving healthy coping by practicing self-soothing, mindfulness, and relaxation skills.
Medication Management
The medication management and check-in group is co-facilitated with the program’s attending psychiatrist and therapeutic staff. The attending psychiatrist will assume oversight of your medication management and coordinate care with any existing outpatient providers. This offers you the opportunity to have daily interaction with the attending psychiatrist and receive ongoing evaluation of medication changes. This group is also an opportunity for medication and psycho-education.
Provider Referral
To be admitted to the Day Hospital Program, individuals will need a referral from their outpatient provider—download the referral form. Patients may initiate contact with the Day Hospital Program, be referred by outpatient providers, or access treatment after visiting an emergency department or being discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit. An individual evaluation is scheduled in advance of starting the program, and treatment goals are then established to be the core focus of each patient’s individualized care.
The treatment plan following the Day Hospital Program will be developed for each individual with the treatment team to support continued recovery. The patient’s care will be coordinated care with each outpatient provider for the purpose of a successful transition. Upon discharge from the program, it is expected that the patient has completed all of the initially established treatment goals and has confirmed a follow-up plan for continued care.