Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

When mental health challenges or emotional trauma arise, it can be difficult to ask for help. But the dedicated professionals at Sarasota Memorial are ready to listen and help you manage your condition or transition from inpatient care to an outpatient setting.

Outpatient Behavioral Health Services offers specialized, medically assisted programs for both adolescelents (age 13-17) and adults (age 18 and older) managing acute mental disorders or dual diagnosis of mental health issue(s) with substance abuse, as well as assistance for adults transitioning back into the community after hospitalization. 

The newly developed Mental Health and Wellness Thrive 55+ program is for mature adults (age 55 and over) who are experiencing mental health concerns that are not a normal part of aging. Our licensed professionals provide evidence-based techniques to identify and help treat participants based on their need. If you are 55+, or a caregiver to someone 55+, please call (941) 917-2600 to determine service eligibility. 

Customized to address each individual’s unique needs, outpatient treatment aims to help participants reduce problematic symptoms and improve quality of life, while providing a seamless level of care from inpatient to outpatient services.

Treatment plans follow one of two program tracks, the Partial Hospital Program (PHP) and the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). These tracks offer the most concentrated level of mental health services available on an outpatient basis.

Partial Hospitalization Program — Sometimes referred to “psychiatric day treatment services,” the PHP is a short-term, intensive psychiatric treatment program that parallels the level of care typically provided in a hospital — including medical and nursing supervision and interventions — but delivers it in an outpatient setting.

PHP can be used as a step down from inpatient services, or as a stand-alone, diversionary level of care to stabilize a participant experiencing acute symptoms. The program serves as an alternative to hospitalization for those who are struggling with significant psychiatric issues but can safely live in the community. PHP participants must attend 5 hours per day, 5 days per week.

Intensive Outpatient Program — Offered in conjunction with the Partial Hospitalization Program, the IOP is ideal for participants ready to step down from the PHP or for those who need to step up from standard outpatient services. IOP participants must attend 3 half-days each week.

The Adolescent IOP program at SMH is a voluntary outpatient mental health service designed to help teenagers (ages 13 - 17) who struggle with significant trouble managing their emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Participants must attend 9 hours each week, conveniently scheduled 3 evenings per week.

Services provided through the Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs include:

• Confidential and comprehensive mental-health evaluations and assessments by licensed mental health therapists


• Individual and group treatment


• Medication management


• Help connecting with community services and resources


• Relapse prevention


• Emotional regulation


• Problem solving


• Social skills and boundaries

Sarasota Memorial provides outpatient Behavioral Health services during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. After-hours emergency calls will be answered by a 24-hour service line.

Conveniently situated on Sarasota Memorial’s main campus, across Waldemere Street from the Sarasota hospital, the Outpatient Behavioral Health suite is located on the first floor and has dedicated parking. 

Accredited by the Joint Commission, our full continuum of Behavioral Health services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans. Self-referrals are welcome.

Outpatient Behavioral Health Team

The specialized, multidisciplinary outpatient Behavioral Health team includes psychiatrists, licensed therapists and nurse practitioners — all dedicated to helping patients return to living a full and healthy life.

Learn More 

For more information on outpatient mental health services, clinical assessment or help with physician referrals or finding community resources, please call 941-917-2660.