Ambulatory psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that is conducted in a physician’s office setting. It is an alternative to more traditional forms of psychotherapy, such as inpatient or residential treatment, and has been used to treat a variety of mental health disorders. This type of therapy is often beneficial for those who cannot access inpatient or residential treatment due to physical or financial limitations. The goal of ambulatory psychotherapy is to provide effective treatment without requiring the patient to stay overnight in a hospital or other facility.
The main benefit of ambulatory psychotherapy is its flexibility. This type of therapy can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and can be conducted at a time that is convenient for the patient. It also allows for greater continuity of care, as the same therapist can provide treatment over an extended period of time. In addition, it can be used to treat a range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders.
Ambulatory psychotherapy typically consists of individual and/or group sessions. Individual sessions may focus on identifying and addressing specific symptoms, while group sessions may be used to provide support, education, and skills training. In addition, some ambulatory psychotherapy programs may include medication management or other types of medical treatments.
Overall, ambulatory psychotherapy can be an effective and flexible alternative to more traditional forms of psychotherapy. It allows for greater continuity of care, can be adapted to treat a range of mental health disorders, and can be conducted at a time that is convenient for the patient.
References
Borges, S., & Turcotte, J. (2017). Ambulatory psychotherapy: An underutilized treatment option for mental health disorders. Canadian Family Physician, 63(7), 528-528e.
Ferguson, P. (2013). Ambulatory psychotherapy: A new treatment paradigm. Psychiatric Times, 30(1), 20-22.
Kearney, C. A. (2016). Ambulatory psychotherapy: An alternative to inpatient and residential treatment. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 39(3), 479-490.