Assisted Outpatient Treatment
Assisted Outpatient Treatment and Tim’s Law are similar civil legal procedures designed to give loved ones an avenue to help a person find and adhere to a mental health treatment plan. Many times, someone with a serious mental illness has difficulty maintaining treatment and oftentimes they are unable to follow simple instructions to be successful. By ensuring continuity of care the risk of hospitalization or incarceration is dramatically lowered.
How to Get Care
Accessible, mindful care — focused on long-term wellness.
District Court Petition
Anyone can file a petition in District Court requesting Assisted Outpatient Treatment. This includes, mental health providers, law enforcement, a loved one or the County or Commonwealth Attorney.
Schedule an Appointment
Request a regular outpatient appointment online or by phone.
24/7 Crisis Support
Help is always available outside of business hours.
Call Crisis Line:
Healing Starts:
Treatment is very targeted and lies somewhere between regular outpatient care and hospitalization. It is designed to interrupt the repeated cycle of hospitalization to release to failure of treatment and back to hospitalization.
The goal of Assisted Outpatient Treatment, like all mental health programs, is to put the client in the least restrictive environment that will still result in success.
Ultimately, Assisted Outpatient Treatment and Tim’s Law are collaborative efforts of loved ones, communities, the court system and the treatment team with the client at the center.
It is important to remember that everyone is working in the best interest of the individual. The courts and treatment providers are well-aware of the challenges faced by someone with severe mental illness and will work together for success.
Issues such as re-hospitalization or, perhaps, criminal justice involvement are recognized as part of the recovery process and will be addressed as part of the plan.
If the individual fails to comply with a court order for Assisted Outpatient Treatment, a 72-hour emergency psychiatric admission may be ordered by the court. The court however cannot order the arrest of the individual for contempt.
The Role of the Courts
Anyone can file a petition in District Court requesting Assisted Outpatient Treatment. This includes mental health providers, law enforcement, a loved one or the County or Commonwealth Attorney.
When a District Court petition is filed a judge will review the petition and determine probable cause to go to a hearing. If a hearing is granted, the judge may ask for an evaluation from a mental health professional as well as listen to testimony from all parties involved, including the petitioner and the individual who will be subject to the court’s ruling;
To qualify for a hearing and ultimately an order for treatment, the individual must present a threat of danger to themselves or others, have a severe mental illness, impaired judgement and anosognosia, which is a lack of insight into one’s own illness.
Next Steps...
A Four Rivers Behavioral Health provider will conduct an initial interview to help determine the best way to move forward.
Other related services such as prescriptions, therapy, general health services, education materials, training and transportation will also be addressed in the initial interview.
The mental health care provider, after the initial intake or early in the program, may request a modification of the requirements from the judge in order to better treat the client.
For more information about Assisted Outpatient Treatment complete the form at the bottom of the page.