If you’re battling severe depression, your mental health provider may recommend a depression clinic. But one size doesn’t fit all. Here are five things to look for in a facility.
- Safe, secure and pleasant facilities
Since you’ll be staying at a depression treatment center during your session, you’ll want to ensure that it’s a safe place. Feel free to ask about any other protocols that are in place to keep patients safe — including from themselves and each other.
Besides safety, don’t forget to check out the general ambiance of any depression treatment centers you’re considering. It’s important that you feel at peace in your surroundings while you’re getting help for your depression. Make sure the facility is clean and comfortable, with friendly staff.
- A record of success
To improve your chances of success you’ll want to make sure that any facilities you’re considering have good patient outcomes. How long has the depression treatment center been in operation? Have there been any news stories about them (good or bad)? What do the online reviews say? Are there any statistics about treatment success on their website or in other sources? Are they recommended by your current mental health provider and other well-respected providers in the area?
- Specialization in your type of depression
There are several different types of depression, such as major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression), depression within bipolar disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, prenatal depression and postpartum depression. A depression treatment center that specializes in your particular type of depression may be better able to meet your unique needs than one that doesn’t.
- Various types of treatments
Having a variety of treatments at a depression treatment center can help ensure that the providers can craft a truly personalized treatment plan. Some examples of the types of treatments that might be offered include:
- Antidepressant medications.
- Individual therapy sessions.
- Group therapy sessions.
- Family therapy sessions.
- Clear assessments and treatment plans
To learn more about what a specific depression treatment center can do for you, it’s wise to ask about what types of assessments are conducted to determine your treatment plan. Ideally, the center should use reputable, evidence-based assessments. There should also be clear action plans for those who achieve certain scores in the initial assessments. There should be strategies in place to adjust treatment in the event that the original strategy doesn’t achieve the desired effects.
Contact our team today for more information about the depression treatments we offer or to schedule an initial appointment.
