Long-Term Residential Treatment for Schizophrenia: What to Expect and How It Helps

Schizophrenia is one of the more complex mental disorders, typically requiring more than short or outpatient therapy. In most individuals, the disorder is characterized by ongoing psychotic symptoms—delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech—coexisting with negative symptoms like social withdrawal or loss of motivation.1 These tend to interfere with school, work, and relationships, and typically affect family members too.

At A Mission For Michael (AMFM), we know that schizophrenia recovery cannot happen overnight. That’s why we provide long-term residential treatment programs in California, Virginia, and Washington State. We don’t just want to mask symptoms – we want to empower every client to build stability, learn new coping skills, and lay the foundation for long-term health. Under the coordination of antipsychotic medication, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), holistic therapies, and highly structured care in the community, AMFM offers a higher level of care than outpatient facilities.

two women talking while going through long-term residential treatment for schizophrenia

What Is a Residential Treatment Center?

A residential treatment program is an in-residence treatment program designed for persons with mental illness in need of more than weekly treatment or a partial hospitalization program (PHP). In a residential program, clients are given access 24/7 to clinicians, nurses, and specially trained staff to treat mental illness.2

While outpatient treatment allows a person to remain at home and yet be treated, inpatient residential care creates an organized environment in which recovery can occur with fewer outside distractions or stimulus. For the schizophrenic, this organization creates an environment that allows concentration on recovery, medication, and social skills acquisition.

Find out about our free assessments and admissions process

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. 

Why Long-Term Care Matters for Schizophrenia

Short-term inpatient stays or short-term care will calm a psychotic episode but rarely provide enough time for complete recovery. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that often requires long-term residential treatment that will last for months.3

Long-term treatment allows:

  • Medication management with caution to create a balance between effectiveness and side effects.
  • Practice with daily skills like cooking, personal care, and routine.
  • Learning coping skills that reduce relapse risk.
  • Time to establish trust with therapists and staff.
  • Increased involvement of support networks and family therapy.


Studies show that patients who complete residential schizophrenia treatment programs successfully are
more likely to stay engaged in mental health care and less prone to relapse than those receiving only outpatient treatment.4

What to Expect from AMFM's Schizophrenia Residential Treatment

Every AMFM residential schizophrenia treatment facility adheres to the same philosophy: treatment must be compassionate, individualized, and evidence-based. Here’s what to expect:

1. Holistic Assessment

Patients begin with a free, confidential assessment to determine needs. Our team then creates an individualized treatment plan tailored to the patient.



2. Evidence-Based Treatments

3. Medication Management

Our psychiatrists choose antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine, or clozapine selectively, balancing benefits against risks including weight gain, blood pressure changes, or sedation. Safety and efficacy are maintained by monitoring regularly.5

4. Skills Training and Wellness

AMFM uses life skills training and wellness activities to help clients be successful in the world outside. These may include:

  • Cooking and nutrition support.
  • Social skills groups for communication practices
  • Holistic therapies like art, music, gardening, horse therapy, yoga, and fitness.

5. Patterned Daily Life

Residents live in supportive housing with patterns of daily life. Activities balance individual therapy, groups, recreation, and quiet time for contemplation. The pattern brings independence as well as accountability.

AMFM's Locations and Programs

Each AMFM center offers the same degree of high-quality care, with special touches:

  • California: Gender-restricted and inclusive homes, with individual therapy, group therapy, and holistic programs like art, gardening, and music.
  • Virginia: Private residential homes with gyms, in-house chefs, horse therapy, creative writing assignments, pet therapy, yoga, and reiki.
  • Washington: Evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, EMDR, as well as equine therapy, music therapy, and Wellbriety for holistic healing.
 

In all states, AMFM combines mental health treatment, residential living, and community-based healing to improve quality of life.

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General Inquiry

Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care

Both inpatient treatment and outpatient care are valuable, but for schizophrenia, residential treatment centers often provide the best chance for long-term stability. Outpatient therapy may help manage mild mental health conditions, but for ongoing schizophrenia treatment, long-term programs with 24/7 support offer more lasting results.

Studies show residential program clients are nearly three times as likely to complete care as outpatient clients.6 The gap explains why residential treatment is so powerful for individuals with schizophrenia.

Support Systems and Family Involvement

Schizophrenia doesn’t only affect the individual—loved ones and family members are too. AMFM residential treatment programs include:

  • Family therapy sessions to improve communication and reduce conflict.
  • Education about symptoms of schizophrenia and treatment options.
  • Guidance on how to create a conducive home environment during discharge.
  • Involving families augments the recovery process and enhances outcomes.

Treatment Goals and Long-Term Outcomes

The long-term goals of residential treatment for schizophrenia are:

  • Reducing psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
  • Improving daily living functioning.
  • Developing independence through skills acquisition.
  • Preventing relapse through coping.
  • Increasing overall wellness and self-esteem.


With proper care, most return to school, work, or other productive endeavors, with a boost in self-esteem and overall stability.

Request a Call from Our Admission Team

Complete the form to receive a prompt call back from a member of our experienced and compassionate admissions staff. All communication is 100% confidential.

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Suicide Risk and Crisis Intervention

Schizophrenia increases one’s risk for suicide, especially in the initial years following diagnosis. About 5% of schizophrenia patients die by suicide, and many more try.7 If you or the person you care about is in crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline stands with you 24/7. Call or text 988 to speak with a counselor who can provide confidential support and connect you with local resources. 

Why Early Help Matters

Delaying treatment for schizophrenia can make it worse. What starts as nightmares or paranoia can turn into voices, intense flashbacks, and social isolation. With early treatment, however, people are able to stabilize, reconnect with others, and build healthier habits. Families become more comfortable as well when they sense their concerns are being heard.

At AMFM, we prioritize early treatment, screening, and diagnosis. In CBT, antipsychotic medication, or trauma treatments such as EMDR, we aim to offer evidence-based treatments tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

Taking the First Step

It’s intimidating not knowing where to begin when seeking the optimal residential treatment center for schizophrenia. With so many treatment programs to compare, insurance to navigate, and whether or not a loved one will feel comfortable, the task can be overwhelming. But you are not alone. At AMFM, we take pride in making the first step as easy as possible. We provide free consultations where you can share your concerns, insurance verification information, and in the rare case that for some reason we are not a good fit, we will refer you to another qualified provider who can help.

Call 844-699-3628 today and talk to our admissions team. Together, we can create a treatment plan that promotes recovery and long-term stability. With the right program, caring clinicians, and supportive environment, healing is not just a possibility—it’s a reality.

American Psychiatric Association. What Is Schizophrenia? Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Schizophrenia. Accessed September 3, 2025. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia.

Carpenter, William T., and Rajiv Tandon. “Diagnosis and Classification of Schizophrenia.” Psychiatric Clinics of North America 36, no. 1 (2013): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.002.

Saha, Sukanta, et al. “A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Schizophrenia.” PLoS Medicine 2, no. 5 (2005): e141. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020141.

Leucht, Stefan, et al. “Second-Generation vs First-Generation Antipsychotic Drugs for Schizophrenia: A Meta-analysis.” The Lancet 373, no. 9657 (2009): 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(08)61764-X.

McHugh, R. Kathryn, et al. “Comparative Effectiveness of Residential vs. Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders: A Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 208, no. 6 (2020): 433–439. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0000000000001151.

Hor, Kahyee, and Martin Taylor. “Suicide and Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of Rates and Risk Factors.” Journal of Psychopharmacology 24, no. 4_suppl (2010): 81–90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359786810385490.

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