Treatment settings in Chicago & Illinois
Outpatient mental health treatment
Outpatient treatment includes any mental health care that does not require an overnight stay. This is the most common type of care and can take place in a clinic, private practice, community mental health center, or virtually.
Therapy
People often seek therapy to talk through difficult thoughts and situations, and build skills to manage stress, relationships, and daily life. Therapy can take place one-on-one or in a group, family, or couples setting.
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with specialized training in mental health. Some people see a psychiatrist for medication alone, while others combine psychiatry with therapy.
Private practice and community-based mental health centers
Many therapists and psychiatrists work independently in private offices or group practices. These providers may offer more flexibility but can be more limited in insurance coverage. Before starting therapy or psychiatry, it’s important to understand whether the provider accepts your insurance and what out-of-pocket costs may be involved. Learn more about the different types of mental health professionals.
Community mental health centers provide a range of services, including therapy, psychiatry, case management, and more intensive support. These centers often serve individuals with higher needs and offer low- or no-cost services. In Chicago, this includes organizations such as Trilogy Behavioral Healthcare, Thresholds, and community mental health clinics operated by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), which provide accessible, community-based care across the city.
Need help finding care?
NAMI Chicago does not provide therapy or psychiatry, but we can help you find the right provider based on your needs and insurance. If you’re not sure where to start or are having trouble accessing care, call or text our Helpline at 833-626-4244.
Intensive outpatient care
Some people may need more structured and frequent support than traditional outpatient therapy. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer a higher level of care while allowing individuals to continue living at home.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) provide structured treatment several days a week, often for a few hours at a time. These programs typically include a combination of group therapy, individual therapy, and skill-building, and are often overseen by a clinical team.
IOPs can take place during the day or evening and may be offered in person or virtually. They are structured programs, not drop-in groups, and are designed to provide consistent support over a defined period of time.
IOPs are often a good fit for individuals who need more support than weekly therapy but do not require inpatient care.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) offer a more intensive level of care than IOPs, typically involving full-day treatment for several days a week.
PHPs are designed to help stabilize individuals in the community and reduce the need for hospitalization, while still providing a high level of care and supervision during the day.
These programs are often used as an intermediary step between inpatient care and outpatient treatment.
Inpatient mental health treatment
Inpatient mental health treatment is the highest level of care and involves staying overnight in a hospital or residential facility. It is typically used when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis or needs stabilization and close monitoring.
Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
This type of care takes place in a hospital and is designed to support individuals during a mental health emergency. The goal is to stabilize symptoms and connect people to the next level of support as quickly as possible. Most inpatient stays are short, often lasting several days. Treatment may include medication, evaluation, and brief therapeutic support.
There are different types of hospital settings:
Inpatient care is focused on short-term stabilization, not long-term treatment. After discharge, individuals are typically connected to outpatient or community-based services to continue their care and recovery.
What happens during a hospital stay?
Learn what to expect during a hospital stay, including evaluation, treatment, and how care transitions after discharge.
Involuntary treatment and other legal processes
In some situations, hospitalization may involve legal processes such as involuntary admission. Learn how these decisions are made, what your rights are, and how to navigate the system in Illinois.
Residential and long-term care
Residential care includes programs where individuals live on-site while receiving mental health or behavioral health support.
Residential Treatment Centers
These programs provide care for 28 days on average for individuals who need ongoing support after a crisis but do not require hospitalization. In Chicago, most residential treatment programs primarily focus on substance use or co-occurring conditions. There are residential programs focused exclusively on mental health in other parts of Illinois, but many only accept private insurance and require out-of-pocket payment.
Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRFs)
SMHRFs are residential settings designed for longer-term stabilization and recovery. They typically accept Medicaid and provide mental health care, supervision, and support with daily living.
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
Skilled nursing facilities are medical nursing homes for individuals with significant physical health needs. Admission typically requires a primary medical condition. While these facilities may support individuals with mental health conditions, their primary focus is medical care.
Need help finding care?
Navigating residential and long-term care options can be complex. NAMI Chicago can help you understand what may be available based on your needs, insurance, and situation.
Our work in residential facilities
NAMI Chicago has teams based in facilities like Colbert and Williams, where we work directly with residents to support their recovery and help them transition back into the community.
Community-based supports
We often think first about medical and clinical treatment, but a supportive community, a stable and safe home, and purpose are central to beginning and maintaining a cycle of recovery. Community-based supports typically include programs and activities that support mental health recovery, but are not traditional mental health treatment.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
ACT teams provide intensive, team-based support in the community. Staff meet people where they are, support medication adherence, and help with daily needs such as housing and finances. This model is typically used for individuals with higher needs who benefit from frequent, hands-on support.
Community Support Team (CST)
CST programs provide a lower level of support than ACT, helping individuals stay connected to services, manage symptoms, and work toward stability in the community.
Case Management
Many of these supports are delivered through case management. Once someone is connected to a provider, they can access a range of services such as housing support, employment programs, and ongoing care coordination. These services help people navigate systems, stay engaged in care, and build independence over time. In Illinois such programs include:
Care coordination at NAMI Chicago
NAMI Chicago provides comprehensive care coordination and case management services designed to break cycles of crisis and create lasting pathways to wellness.
Peer support
To build good mental health, it is important to have relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, and hope.
Support groups: Support groups may be led by clinicians or by people with lived experience. They provide a space to share experiences, learn from others, and build connection.
Peer support groups at NAMI Chicago
Connecting with others who understand what you’re going through can make a meaningful difference. NAMI Chicago offers free, peer-led support groups, both virtual and in person, where individuals and families can share experiences and build connection.
Other community-based options
Clubhouses: Clubhouses are non-clinical, community-based programs for people living with serious mental health conditions.Members work alongside staff to run the clubhouse, develop job skills, access employment and housing opportunities, and build social connections. This model is designed to reduce isolation and support long-term recovery by helping people re-engage in community life. Clubhouses are an established model used across the U.S. and globally, but there are currently no clubhouse programs operating in Chicago.
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Recovery and wellness
Recovery is not just about treatment. It’s about building stability, connection, and purpose over time. Learn how NAMI Chicago approaches recovery and supports individuals beyond medical care.