Generally, day treatment programs are highly structured and intensive, and provide rehabilitative therapy that allows patients to live at home while reaping the benefits of rigorous mental health treatment.

For patients who have undergone inpatient psychiatric care, day treatment programs may provide a smooth transition with continued rehabilitation therapy that can help integrate them comfortably and safely back into the community. For patients with worsening symptoms, these programs may prevent hospitalization when administered in a timely fashion.

Day treatment programs usually offer timely crisis intervention, which may help resolve difficult situations such as suicide attempts. However, in cases of severe suicidal ideation, patients may require a more intensive level of care such as that offered during inpatient psychiatric care.