Is OP a step down from IOP?

Yes — many people transition from IOP into ongoing outpatient care as they stabilize and need less intensive support, while still benefiting from regular therapy and psychiatric follow-up.

Can I start with OP, or do I need to complete PHP or IOP first?

You can start directly with outpatient care if your symptoms don't require a more intensive level of support. A thorough evaluation with our clinical team will help determine the right starting point for you.

How long does outpatient treatment typically last?

This varies significantly by individual. Some people benefit from a defined course of treatment lasting a few months, while others continue longer-term care for ongoing support and stability.

Is outpatient treatment covered by insurance?

Most major insurance carriers cover outpatient mental health treatment. Call (610) 563-2752 and we check your benefits for you before you begin, and fight for the coverage you need. We can't guarantee what a plan approves.

Is there an outpatient mental health program near me in Pennsylvania?

Our outpatient services are provided in Phoenixville, PA, in Chester County, roughly 30 miles from Center City Philadelphia. We see clients from Chester, Montgomery, Delaware, Berks, and Philadelphia counties, including Malvern, Pottstown, Norristown, Media, Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Havertown, Radnor, Villanova, Devon, Berwyn, and Lower Merion.

How often are outpatient sessions?

Outpatient care is typically weekly or biweekly, and frequency is set with your clinician based on your plan of care. Clinic treatment hours are 9am–9pm daily.

Can my family call about outpatient care for me?

Yes. Family members can call (610) 563-2752, 24/7, for guidance. We only share information about someone in our care with that person’s written consent.

What if outpatient care is not enough?

Call us at (610) 563-2752. We can step you up to IOP or PHP, or help arrange inpatient, residential or psychiatric hospital care through programs we have carefully vetted. In an emergency call 911; for a crisis call or text 988.

Outpatient (OP)

Outpatient Mental Health Services in Pennsylvania

Last updated: November 8, 2026

Ongoing individual therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric care — the final phase in our continuum of care, in Phoenixville, PA and statewide via telehealth.

Verify Insurance Call (610) 563-2752

Licensed, Accredited & Certified

Joint Commission

Accredited

Pennsylvania Licensed

PA DHS approved facility

LegitScript

Certified

Content reviewed by Dr. Jeffrey Simon, MD, Medical Director & Psychiatrist

Last reviewed: 2026-07-13

Available at both offices: Phoenixville · Avondale

The Program

Understanding Outpatient Mental Health Care

Outpatient care is ongoing therapy and medication management, typically weekly or biweekly. It's the lightest level of care and often follows PHP or IOP.

Outpatient (OP) care is the least intensive, most flexible level in our continuum of treatment — ongoing individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management on a regular schedule, typically weekly or biweekly, without the multi-hour weekly time commitment of PHP or IOP. For many people, OP is where lasting stability actually gets built: applying skills learned in more intensive treatment to daily life, with consistent support along the way.

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that evidence-based psychotherapy can reduce symptoms for many people and improve overall functioning. Research also shows that outpatient psychotherapy carried through to a planned, regular completion is associated with meaningful symptom reduction and a significant decrease in future inpatient care costs — underscoring that ongoing outpatient support isn't just maintenance, it's an active part of lasting recovery.

Located in Phoenixville, we provide outpatient care to individuals throughout Chester County and the greater Philadelphia region, with statewide access available via telehealth.

Continuum of Care

Inpatient

24/7 care

Partial Hospitalization (PHP)

Full-day, 5x/week

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

3 hrs/session, several days/week

Outpatient (OP)

Weekly or biweekly sessions

PHP vs. IOP vs. Outpatient: Which Level of Care Fits?

PHP is the most structured, IOP is part-time, and outpatient is the lightest. Not sure which fits? Call (610) 563-2752 any time and we'll help you decide.

Comparison of PHP, IOP and outpatient care at Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Center
Level of care	Time commitment	Often a fit for
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)	Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM (about 30 hours a week)	Symptoms that need daily attention, or stepping down from a hospital stay, while still sleeping at home.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)	Three-hour morning or evening groups (evening 6–9 PM), several days a week. Your days are set with admissions.	Needing real structure while keeping up with work, school or family.
Outpatient (OP)	Typically weekly or biweekly sessions. Frequency varies by plan of care.	Steady ongoing therapy and medication management, often after PHP or IOP.

Program schedules are separate from clinic treatment hours (9am–9pm daily). Length of stay varies and is set with your care team.

1–2

sessions per week or biweekly

individual & group formats

medication management included

flexible, ongoing support

Cost & Insurance

Most major insurance carriers cover outpatient mental health treatment. See all accepted insurance and verify your coverage below. Working at Merck’s West Point or Upper Gwynedd sites? Read about outpatient care for Merck employees with Horizon benefits.

Not sure what kind of help fits? Start with our depression and anxiety screening.

Right Fit

Is Outpatient Care Right for You?

Stepping down from a higher level of care

You've completed PHP or IOP and are ready for less intensive, ongoing support.
You want to maintain the progress you've made while returning to your full routine.

Starting with outpatient care directly

Your symptoms are manageable with regular, consistent support rather than daily or multi-hour weekly treatment.
You want ongoing psychiatric care and therapy without a major schedule disruption.

What's Included

What Outpatient Care Includes

Individual Therapy

Regular one-on-one sessions to maintain progress and address what's currently coming up in your life.

Learn about individual therapy

Group Therapy

Ongoing peer support and skill-building in a group setting, at a lighter frequency than PHP or IOP.

Learn about group therapy

Medication Management

Continued psychiatric evaluation and medication oversight, adjusted as your needs change over time.

Coordinated Care

Your Care Team

Your treatment is guided by a coordinated clinical team, led by Dr. Jeffrey Simon, MD, Medical Director & Psychiatrist, working from one plan built around you.

Meet your care team

Evidence

What Research Shows About Outpatient Care

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that evidence-based psychotherapy can reduce symptoms for many people and improve overall functioning.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

Research shows outpatient psychotherapy carried through to a planned, regular completion is associated with significant symptom reduction and a 31.5% decrease in annual inpatient care costs.

Source: PubMed, National Library of Medicine

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Outpatient Care

Outpatient treatment is ongoing individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management on a regular but less intensive schedule than PHP or IOP — typically weekly or biweekly sessions rather than multiple hours several days a week.

Areas We Serve

Looking for Outpatient Mental Health Care Near You?

Outpatient therapy and medication management take place at our Phoenixville office in Chester County, about 30 miles from Center City Philadelphia. Sessions are scheduled around work and school, and clients regularly travel in from across the western Philadelphia suburbs.

Prefer to meet from home? Ask about telehealth mental health appointments available anywhere in Pennsylvania.

Related Care

Not sure OP is the right starting point?

Learn about our IOP program for people who need more structured, ongoing support.

Explore IOP