A MISSION FOR MICHAEL
We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
Living with persistent psychological distress can make it challenging to navigate everyday life. You may experience mental health challenges at work, school, and with your overall health. A Mission For Michael (AMFM) is proud to offer comprehensive residential treatment for mental health disorders. You can find our treatment locations in California, Washington, and Virginia.
At AMFM, you can access whole-person care for a range of mental health conditions including behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, mood disorders, and dual diagnosis conditions. We are going to talk about animal assisted therapy, and review mental health treatment options that incorporate animal-assisted interventions.
Animal assisted therapy for mental health conditions include structured interventions that incorporate animals. Sometimes known as pet therapy, this approach can be used in mental health treatment programs and medical treatments. The use of therapy animals is carefully considered, and needs to be appropriate for you and your treatment setting.
Animal therapy programs can include various trained animals including dogs, horses, and cats. Animal-assisted activities are led by a trained and experienced mental health professional or therapist. This ensures that the treatment is grounded in research, and that your clinician has previous experience with animal-assisted interventions. Animal therapy programs can focus on social, cognitive, and physical health concerns.
We want to note that there are differences between emotional support animals, companion animals, and therapy animals. Emotional support animals can provide emotional relief for those experiencing a range of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Companion animals are pets that provide us with companionship and enjoyment. Therapy animals have completed training, and have met specific requirements for the necessary animal assisted therapy certification. They may be available in some mental health treatment centers, with a trained and qualified mental health professional.
Animal-assisted intervention is a broad term used to describe therapeutic activities that involve animals. This can include treatments like animal-assisted education and animal-assisted treatment programs. Animal-assisted interventions are different from animal therapy, and do not necessarily need to be guided by a mental health professional.
Animal-assisted interventions can take place in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and community centers. Many find that animal-assisted interventions help decrease stress and enhance emotional connection. Many find that their treatment experience is enhanced, and that healing with animals provides a different level of care to their treatment experience.
Animal-assisted therapy is a versatile treatment that can be used for a range of emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. This is a part of what makes pet therapy an attractive, and effective addition to mental health treatment programs. Continue reading for a detailed description of who could benefit from AAT:
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been shown to significantly improve physical and mental well-being. Research highlights its ability to lower blood pressure, reduce physical pain, slow breathing, and promote relaxation. Many people also experience enhanced emotional health and a sense of calm when engaging with therapy animals, showcasing the powerful human-animal bond.
The impact of AAT is evident in various populations. A meta-analysis of 49 studies revealed benefits such as improved autism spectrum disorder symptoms, better emotional well-being, and reduced behavioral issues. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reported that over half of VA systems provided AAT for veterans, nearly double the rate from 2011. Similarly, 74% of pet owners believe their pets.
The admission process for an AMFM Mental Health Treatment Center that offers animal assisted treatment is similar to our traditional admission process. We have crafted this process to be efficient and detailed. We begin with a through mental health assessment to understand your symptoms, challenges, and mental health history.
This information allows us to develop your personalized treatment plan, which may include animal-assisted interventions. We will verify your insurance coverage so that we have known about your out-of-pocket expenses, limitations, and required authorizations. We will then provide your insurance company with the paperwork they require for approval. Once the necessary paperwork is complete, we will help you coordinate and plan your admission. When you arrive at your AMFM Mental Health Treatment Center, we will help you get acclimated to your new environment before you begin engaging in treatment. Contact AMFM today with your questions about the admission process, and available AAT treatment options.
Animal-assisted psychotherapy can provide several benefits for those who are struggling with psychological disorders. This can include improving your emotional well-being and ability to effectively manage mental health symptoms. Continue reading for a brief review of some key benefits of therapeutic animal interactions. Bear in mind this list is not exhaustive.
Therapy animals can help create a calming therapeutic environment, conducive for treating psychiatric disorders. Many find that interacting with animals helps them regulate their emotions and build emotional resilience. Animal-assisted interventions can be helpful for those who are struggling with PTSD, ADHD, and stress-related conditions.
Animal therapy programs can provide support for those who are in treatment for social and emotional development. This can include children, adolescents, and adults who experience interpersonal challenges. You may find that incorporating therapy animals increases your self-awareness, and improves your psychological well-being.
Animal assisted mental health therapy programs can provide you with an extra boost in session. This may mean that you feel more focused, agreeing with your internal experiences, or even more motivated. This can help you be fully engaged in sessions and address your specific mental health symptoms.
Therapy animals can also be beneficial in educational settings. Some schools offer canine-assisted therapy to help reduce anxiety among students, which can improve their focus and participation in class. Therapy animals can also help those who experience learning and developmental difficulties.
Animal-assisted treatment programs can have therapy animals for several reasons. One of which is that they can help boost morale and motivation, which can be important for those in treatment for substance use disorders, severe mental illnesses, and physical injuries. Animals provide non-judgmental support, which can be a healing experience for some.
For some, therapy animals can provide a quick calming effect through tactile interaction, such as petting. This can help reduce the levels of cortisol within the brain, which can help you feel relaxed. When this occurs, you can focus on the task at hand and effectively manage your anxiety symptoms. This can be helpful for work-related or academic stress.
Animal assisted therapy can help improve symptoms for those who are struggling with mood and affective disorders. This approach can decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation, and help lift your mood. For some, this can help shift your everyday perspective to a more positive lens, when then can improve your emotional well-being.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides whole-person treatment for common mental disorders by combining evidence-based practices, wellness programs, and holistic approaches. Our high-end amenities can help you feel at home, which we have found improves engagement in treatment. We encourage you to call (866)478-4383 to explore our available animal assisted mental health therapy programs.
AMFM has multiple residential treatment centers in Southern California that provide comprehensive care for a range of psychological disorders. Equine therapy is available for our Orange County houses to enhance your treatment experience. Additional services include cognitive therapy, psychoeducation, and holistic approaches. Contact us to learn more about available animal assisted therapy options.
With multiple residential treatment programs in Virginia, AMFM can provide you with a unique mental health treatment experience. These facilities offer weekly equine therapy opportunities, and pet therapy sessions. Additional treatment approaches include yoga therapy, life skills training, and evidence-based treatments like CBT, DBT, and EDMR in some cases.
A Mission For Michael has a residential mental health treatment center in Seattle, Washington. Here, you can access individualized care for a range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorder, personality disorders, and intense mood swings. We encourage you to contact us today to learn about available specialized treatment options.
One of the factors that affect how Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) works is the form of AAT that you engage in. There are a range of animal-assisted interventions that are used within mental health treatment programs to address a range of psychological disorders. Some of the more common therapy options include:
There is a range of therapy animals that can be incorporated into mental health treatment programs. This allows for individual preference and treatment variations based on your symptoms. Some of the more common animals incorporated into mental health treatment programs include, and are not limited to:
Dogs are one of the most common forms of therapy animals in mental health, physical health, and educational settings. Dogs are adaptable, and highly responsive to training, which makes them ideal for a range of mental health conditions and challenges. This includes anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social difficulties.
Cats are more common in personal and therapeutic environments. Cats can provide emotional support, and can be ideal for those who are uncomfortable around large animals, like dogs. You may find that having a cat as a therapy animal helps you feel relaxed and less stressed in treatment. This allows you to dive deeper into your emotional and psychological challenges.
Equine therapy is another commonly used form of animal assisted therapy. This is more common in residential treatment programs that provide a full day of treatment services. Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, which can help you strengthen your self-awareness. Equine therapy is commonly used within trauma therapy programs.
Rabbits are a gentle, and non-intimidating animal. They can be a great therapy animal for children and those who struggle with anxiety disorders. Therapy sessions that incorporate rabbits often focus on tactile interactions, such as petting. This often leads to emotional calmness, which can provide relief from psychological distress.
Birds, particularly parrots, can be used to promote cognitive engagement in therapy sessions. This can be helpful for those who are experiencing cognitive decline and isolation. Persistent isolation can cause psychological and cognitive challenges that make it challenging to navigate everyday life.
Fish are commonly used to create a calming environment. This can include an aquarium, which can be used for mindfulness practices and other therapeutic approaches. You may find fish tanks or aquariums in waiting rooms, or in therapy spaces, as they are easier to incorporate compared to other therapy animals.
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We accept most major insurance providers and can check your coverage levels for you.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
Insurance coverage for animal-assisted therapy varies. Animal assisted mental health therapy insurance may be available in cases where it is deemed medically necessary. It is not uncommon for insurance providers to require that it is used in addition to other treatment services, like evidence-based treatments.
Treatment programs that include pet therapy, equine therapy, and other animal-assisted interventions are often included in insurance policies. This is because these are mental health treatment programs, that offer animal-assisted activities to enhance their treatment programs. If you would like to learn about using your insurance for animal therapy programs, complete the AMFM insurance verification form.
The cost of animal-assisted treatment can vary based on the provider, type of care provided, and the duration of treatment. PsychCentral indicated that animal-assisted therapy sessions can range from $100 to over $300. The cost of treatment may be more affordable if you elect to work with an intern instead of a licensed mental health professional.
If you have specific questions about animal-assisted therapy, we encourage you to contact AMFM Mental Health Treatment Centers. Our admission counselors can provide a comprehensive mental health assessment and explore various ways to pay for treatment.
It is important to find an animal-assisted therapy program that offers treatment that aligns with your mental health symptoms. Mental health treatment can have a lasting impact on your psychological well-being. To help you in your search, we have outlined steps you can follow to narrow down available treatment providers:
Call us or start the process online today. All communication is confidential.
If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
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