How Does Psychiatric Rehabilitation Work?

 Nearly a quarter of Americans are living with mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that cause struggles in their daily lives and their overall quality of life. While medication and therapy can help, without an integrated roadmap, many individuals are left feeling frustrated and without any clear direction.

Psychiatric rehabilitation is a supportive, patient-centered therapy focused on helping individuals establish clear goals to develop and practice the skills they need to improve their emotional well-being, personal success, and self-confidence in every area of their lives.

Temika Heyward, PhD, FNP, CRNP, PMH, and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health offer comprehensive psychiatric rehabilitation programs tailored to each patient’s unique needs. 

Here, learn how psychiatric rehabilitation works so you can decide if it might be an appropriate choice for you.

Psychiatric rehab: Goals

The individual goals of psychiatric rehab depend on each person’s needs and challenges. The specific focus is on helping each person develop the skills and behaviors they need to overcome personal obstacles and succeed in their lives and their communities.

In addition to assisting people with mental or emotional health issues like depression and PTSD, psychiatric rehabilitation can be an ideal solution for people dealing with:

• Relationship troubles 
• Unresolved childhood issues
• Grief
• Chronic stress
• Body image issues

In short, psychiatric rehab can be a powerful option for anyone living with issues that interfere with personal attainment, independence, and peace of mind.

Dr. Heyward and her team combine individual therapy with community resources, including access to support groups and agencies focused on mental health and emotional wellness. Through a personal support coach, you’ll develop problem-solving skills and coping strategies based on your unique needs, challenges, and goals. 

A personalized approach is key

While every treatment plan is individualized, the overarching goals of psychiatric rehabilitation are similar: to help each individual learn new ways to deal with “old” problems that have held them back, helping them enjoy greater stability, success, and confidence in everyday situations.

Patients enrolled in rehabilitation begin by closely examining and defining their personal goals and values, as well as the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving those goals. This self-awareness helps clarify what’s truly important to them and where they want to go in life.

Therapy typically focuses in part on identifying engrained behaviors driving negative results and replacing them with behaviors aimed at more positive outcomes. That might mean developing better listening and communication skills, relationship strategies, or coping methods to deal with depression or anxiety. Or it might mean learning better ways to deal with grief, anger, or change in your life. 

A key feature of psychiatric rehabilitation is personalized guidance. Once enrolled in your program, you’ll work closely with a support coach who can help you navigate day-to-day challenges while focusing on long-term goals. Coaches provide encouragement, emotional support, and accountability, as well as practical guidance and advice to help individuals navigate real-world challenges in their personal and professional lives.

Live life on your own terms

Mental health issues affect different people in different ways. Through psychiatric rehabilitation, you’ll learn to adopt new habits and adapt essential skills to your unique circumstances and goals, achieving greater personal and professional satisfaction and a better quality of life.

To learn more about psychiatric rehabilitation and how it can play a role in your mental health journey,  request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Heyward and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.