FAQs

Mental health disorders rarely spring up overnight. They usually develop over a period of time when you or the people around you may begin noticing changes in your thinking, feelings, and behaviors. In their early stages, these changes can be subtle and produce more of a feeling that something isn’t “right” compared to something being outwardly wrong. 

There are some common signs and symptoms of mental illness. If you or someone you love experiences several of the following, it would be wise to talk to a primary care provider or mental health professional:

• Changes in sleep or appetite.
• Mood changes.
• Withdrawal from people and everyday activities.
• Reduced performance at work or school.
• Problems thinking or with concentration.
• Increased sensitivity to sights, sounds, smells, or touch.
• Loss of initiative or desire to take part in any activity.
• Feeling disconnected from oneself or others.
• Illogical or “magical” thinking.
• Nervousness or paranoia.
• Any behavior that is odd for you.

Every person is unique and responds to treatment differently. At Guardian Recovery, we are committed to finding the best treatment for you. We develop a multi-faceted program based on your pre-assessment, history, and additional conversations we have with you once you enter one of our facilities. Once we have created a plan, we review it with you and make any necessary adjustments.

Depending upon your condition and the facility you choose, your program could include:

• Individual and group counseling, including cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy.
• Medication management. 
• Holistic treatment options, including yoga therapy and nutritional counseling.
• Dual diagnosis treatment (if you have a co-occurring substance use disorder).

Support groups can be very helpful and effective in managing mental health disorders while in treatment and throughout your life. Depending upon your personal situation and preference, support groups may become part of your care plan. There are a variety of organizations that offer support groups for people with mental illness and their families and friends. These groups may be peer-led or facilitated by mental health professionals.

Many people who live with mental health disorders find therapy and counseling extremely helpful in managing their condition. At Guardian Recovery, we offer several types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral and dialectic therapy and group and individual counseling. Our clinical professionals will work with you to determine if therapy and counseling are right for you and guide you to the best options based on your situation and preferences.

Mental health disorders are progressive, often chronic conditions. Like many other medical conditions, most mental health concerns respond well to medication. Licensed medical professionals will be part of your treatment team and advise you on whether medication may improve your condition and which medication(s) may be right for you.

Trauma can cause a wide variety of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of the therapies used in mental health treatment can help you process trauma and go on to live a happy and fulfilling life. Some therapies used to heal trauma include cognitive behavioral therapy, eye movement desensitization therapy (EMDR), medication management, and psychodrama therapy.

Mental health disorders are chronic conditions that need ongoing management to keep you at your best. When you enter treatment at a Guardian Recovery facility, you will be assigned a Case Manager who will act as your advocate and serve as a liaison between you and your family. Your Case Manager will also help you coordinate your aftercare services so you can maintain optimal health.

Aftercare significantly increases the likelihood of long-term mental well-being and recovery from co-occurring substance use disorders. It provides the tools you need to transition from formal treatment to the broader community successfully.

Aftercare is designed to:

• Provide continued care.
• Prevent treatment gaps.
• Offer emotional support.
• Address co-occurring disorders.
• Foster empowerment and self-sufficiency.

The experienced mental health professionals at Guardian Recovery can help you manage a wide range of mental health disorders as a primary diagnosis or a co-occurring disorder with substance misuse. Some of the conditions we commonly treat include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia

You will be assigned a therapist upon admission based on your diagnosis. If you feel that individual is not a good match for you, we can discuss connecting you with a different therapist. Depending upon your care plan, you may also work with other therapists in group therapy or programs like life skills training and experiential therapy.

At Guardian Recovery, we treat anxiety and depression, as well as other mental health diagnoses, with a combination of evidence-based therapies, medications (if deemed necessary), and support services tailored to each individual’s needs. 

Your program may include psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and other individual and group therapies. Medications may also be prescribed to manage symptoms of mental health disorders and support the recovery process. Support groups also play an essential role in treatment, providing a safe space to share experiences, receive encouragement, and learn from others facing similar challenges.

It is likely that if you are living with a mental health disorder, you are not performing to your highest potential in any aspect of your life. According to the World Health Organization, untreated mental illness can erode your confidence and identity at work, reduce your capacity to work productively, increase absences, and make it difficult to stay employed or find a job. 

Treatment that helps you manage your mental health disorder can make you feel better about yourself, think more clearly, handle stress better, and be more productive, improving work performance and having a positive impact on your entire life.

While times may vary, individual and group therapy sessions generally last 50 minutes to one hour. Group therapy sessions can vary in duration based on the level of care and the topic being discussed. 

Ketamine is a controlled substance which is administered under strict guidelines. Because of the way ketamine affects your brain, you are not allowed to drive for 12 hours after an infusion. If you are receiving ketamine infusions as an outpatient, you will need to arrange for transportation to and from treatment.

Depending on which Guardian Recovery facility you choose, we can help coordinate local transportation from your home or mass transit hubs such as train and bus stations and airports.

Through Guardian Virtual, we provide virtual and telehealth counseling through an online intensive outpatient program (IOP). The program is currently available to Florida, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Colorado residents but is on track to increase access to all 50 states within the next two to four years. With Guardian Virtual, you only need internet access and a laptop, tablet, or smartphone to access care 24/7.