What Does Rehab Mean in Mental Health

In a mental health context, rehab refers to a recovery period, typically involving therapy and teaching clients coping skills so they can improve emotional regulation. Find out more about what treatment involves and how BlueCrest Counseling supports mental wellness.

Key Takeaways

Rehab in mental health is a therapeutic approach that focuses on emotional regulation. It is similar to rehab in substance abuse, as both teach clients coping skills so they can deal with their emotions in a healthy manner. When dual diagnosis is integrated, the overlap is even greater.
Mental health rehab spans various levels of care and integrates different therapeutic approaches, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
When looking for a rehab center, consider factors like licensing and accreditation, treatment approaches, cost, and insurance.

Who Is Mental Health Rehab For?
What Are the Levels of Care in Mental Health Treatment?
What Happens During Mental Health Rehab?
What Should I Look For in a Rehabilitation Center?
Get Professional Support at BlueCrest Counseling
FAQs

Introduction

The term ‘rehab’ is typically used in substance abuse recovery, referring to therapy that addresses the underlying cause of addiction. However, it may also refer to mental health care, which offers similar services and teaches clients to manage emotions in a healthy way. The distinction can overlap further when discussing dual diagnosis, which simultaneously treats addiction and mental illness.

This article will explain what rehab means in mental health, so you understand what to expect from your treatment plan.

Who Is Mental Health Rehab For?

Mental health rehab may be suited for anyone with a diagnosable mental health condition, such as:

Anxiety
Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Trauma and PTSD
OCD
Dual diagnosis, i.e., co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. According to SAMHSA research, among the 61.5 million U.S. adults with any mental illness in 2024, 21.2 million (34.5%) also had a substance use disorder. Among the 14.6 million adults with serious mental illness, 6.9 million (47.3%) also had a substance use disorder.

The rehabilitation process is typically recommended when the disorder begins interfering with daily life, causing risky behavior, and interfering with relationships.

What Are the Levels of Care in Mental Health Treatment?

As with addiction treatment, mental health care can span various levels of care. Each level can be a primary form of care or a step up or down from a previous level. BlueCrest Counseling offers various levels of outpatient treatment, as follows:

Partial Care: Clients stay at our facility several hours a day, several days a week, for a full-time approach to care while staying at our supportive living facility. BlueCrest Counseling’s program offers 6-8 hours of therapy per day.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Offers fewer clinical hours. At BlueCrest, sessions occur 3-5 days a week. This flexibility allows clients to schedule treatment around work, school, and other responsibilities.
Traditional Outpatient Rehab: Clients attend weekly or biweekly sessions, typically as part of ongoing care, although this can also be a primary form of care.

What Happens During Mental Health Rehab?

Mental health rehab typically includes an initial assessment and various types of therapy, as follows:

Initial Assessment: Before starting a program, clinicians typically assess the client’s mental and physical health and review their medical history. They compare their findings with standardized tools to match clients with the appropriate level of care.
Individual Therapy: Clients work one-on-one with therapists, allowing for a personalized approach. Typically, therapists integrate evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
Group Therapy: A core component of mental health services, group therapy helps clients learn from one another and reduces feelings of isolation. It’s ideal for social skills training and peer support.
Family Therapy: Family members are often brought into therapy sessions so they can learn more about their loved one’s condition and help create a healing environment.
Trauma Therapy: Trauma is often an underlying cause of mental health conditions. NCBI research shows that the prevalence of trauma is high in people with severe mental illness, with a prevalence of trauma exposure as follows: 47% report physical abuse, 37% report sexual abuse, and 30% meet criteria for PTSD specifically. BlueCrest Counseling integrates EMDR and other trauma-informed approaches to improve emotional well-being.
Holistic Practices: BlueCrest includes holistic practices in our mental health treatment program to support whole-person wellness.

What Should I Look For in a Rehabilitation Center?

When looking for a rehabilitation center, choose one that’s licensed and accredited and offers the right treatment approaches. Cost and insurance are other considerations.

Licensing and Accreditation: Licensing is a must for any facility. New Jersey facilities like BlueCrest Counseling typically carry a license from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), under the NJ Department of Human Services. Accreditation, such as by the Joint Commission or CARF, shows the clinic meets high clinical standards and employs a credentialed staff.
Treatment Approaches: Clinics should offer evidence-based therapies and specialized care that meet your specific needs.
Cost and Insurance: Insurance is available for mental health care, though coverage varies. Reputable clinics like BlueCrest provide insurance verification for full transparency before you enter the program. If insurance isn’t available, payment plans can help manage costs.

Here are some questions that will help you determine if a clinic is right for you:

What levels of care do you offer (inpatient, PHP, IOP, outpatient), and how do you determine which one I/my loved one needs?
Is the facility licensed by DMHAS (Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services)?
Does the program include family therapy or family involvement?
What does your discharge planning include, and what aftercare services do you provide?
What insurance do you accept, and what will out-of-pocket costs look like?

Get Professional Support at BlueCrest Counseling

BlueCrest offers the mental health services you need. We provide comprehensive care, across various treatment levels, ensuring clients maintain a high level of well-being. Our advanced therapy approaches are tailored to individual needs, matching your goals and lifestyle.

FAQs

Is “rehab” the same thing for mental health as it is for addiction?

Rehab for addiction and mental health are similar, as they integrate the same therapies and focus on emotional regulation. However, the specific approach can vary when substance abuse is a concern.

How do I know what level of care I need (inpatient, PHP, IOP, outpatient)?

The appropriate level of care is determined through a clinical evaluation. Clinicians review your physical and mental health and medical history to match you with the appropriate level of care.

What conditions does mental health rehab treat?

Mental health rehab treats various conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, and OCD. It is typically recommended when symptoms interfere with normal life.

Can rehab treat mental health and substance use at the same time (dual diagnosis)?

Yes, rehab can treat mental health and substance use at the same time. It focuses on the underlying cause of addiction to support optimal mental wellbeing.

Is mental health rehab covered by insurance?

Insurance may cover mental health rehab. However, coverage varies. Contact your treatment center before starting treatment to learn what your plan covers.

Getting Help for Mental Health. NIH MedlinePlus Magazine. https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/getting-help-for-mental-health
Treatments and Approaches. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). https://www.nami.org/treatments-and-approaches/
What Mental Health Treatments/Programs Are Available for My Loved One with Serious Mental Illness? NAMI HelpLine. https://helplinefaqs.nami.org/article/548-what-mental-health-treatments-programs-are-available-for-my-loved-one-with-serious-mental-illness
Levels of Care. Family and Caregiver Training and Support Program, UW Medicine. https://facts.psychiatry.uw.edu/behavioral-health-at-uw-medicine/understanding-the-behavioral-health-system/levels-of-care/
Understanding Treatment Needs of Youth in a Remote Intensive Outpatient Program Through Solicited Journals: Quality Improvement Analysis. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10193218/
Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47095/National%20Report/National%20Report/2023-nsduh-annual-national.htm
Prevalence and Consequences of the Dual Diagnosis of Substance Abuse and Severe Mental Illness. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) / PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16961418/
Prevalence of Interpersonal Trauma Exposure and Trauma-Related Disorders in Severe Mental Illness. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621904/
Global Prevalence of Trauma. International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Global Collaboration. https://www.global-psychotrauma.net/global-prevalence-of-trauma

BlueCrest Counseling

BlueCrest Counseling provides outpatient addiction and mental health services in New Jersey, offering personalized care through therapy, IOP, and recovery support.