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Levels of Care in Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders: 10 Answers to the Most Searched Questions

CE Hours 1.5

About this course

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the behavioral health treatment continuum, structured around answering the most frequently searched questions regarding mental health and addiction services. Expert Dr. Sal Raichbach breaks down the distinctions between various levels of care, ranging from traditional outpatient therapy to intensive inpatient stabilization and medical detox. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the clinical criteria for each level, the role of case management in discharge planning, and strategies for maintaining long-term recovery. Learners will leave better equipped to advocate for appropriate patient placement and navigate the complexities of the treatment system.

Learning Objectives

  • Differentiate between the various levels of care in the behavioral health continuum, including Outpatient, IOP, PHP, Residential, and Inpatient.
  • Identify clinical indicators for "stepping up" or "stepping down" a patient based on symptom severity and medical stabilization needs.
  • Explain the role of medical detoxification and identify specific substances that require medical stabilization due to life-threatening withdrawal risks.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Sal Raichbach, PsyD, LCSW

    Dr. Sal Raichbach has dedicated more than 30 years to the field of behavioral health, helping individuals and families navigate some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Since the early 1990s, he has served in both hands-on clinical roles and executive leadership positions, shaping programs that prioritize safety, dignity, and lasting change. He holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and a PsyD in Psychology. Dr. Raichbach is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified forensic social worker, licensed in 14 states, including New York, Florida, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.

References

  • Watkins, L. E., Patton, S. C., Drexler, K., Rauch, S. A. M., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2023). Clinical effectiveness of an intensive outpatient program for integrated treatment of comorbid substance abuse and mental health disorders. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 30(3), 354–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.05.005
  • Giannios, P., Chainey, F., Degré, C., Borduas Pagé, S., & Hudon, A. (2025). Components and Effectiveness of Adult Inpatient Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs: A Scoping Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 13(22), 2971. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222971
  • Beaulieu, M., Tremblay, J., Baudry, C., Pearson, J., & Bertrand, K. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of the long-term treatment and support of substance use disorders. Social Science & Medicine, 285, 114289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114289
  • de Andrade, D., Elphinston, R. A., Quinn, C., Allan, J., & Hides, L. (2019). The effectiveness of residential treatment services for individuals with substance use disorders: A systematic review. Drug and alcohol dependence, 201, 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.03.031
  • Zhu, J., Liu, Q., Kong, B., Shuai, W., Xiao, Z., Dai, C., & Huang, H. (2023). From consumption to withdrawal: A broad synopsis of the effects of alcohol. Medicine Advances, 1(4), 330–339. https://doi.org/10.1002/med4.46
  • Pinderup, P. (2018). Improving the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mental health professionals regarding dual diagnosis treatment – a mixed methods study of an intervention. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 39(4), 292–303. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1398791

CE Process Info

Content

  • Levels of Care
    2 parts
    • Levels of Care: Part 1
    • Levels of Care: Part 2

  • Joint Accreditation (JA)

    In support of improving patient care, CE Learning Systems is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

    Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

    As a Jointly Accredited Organization, CE Learning Systems is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive up to 1.5 clinical continuing education credits.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYEDSW)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #0060.

  • New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.

  • New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYEDPSY)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #PSY-0016.

  • New York Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYEDMFT)

    CE Learning Systems, LLC  (d/b/a impactce.com) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MFT-0045.

FAQs

  • CELS Grievance
    If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
Levels of Care in Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders: 10 Answers to the Most Searched Questions
You Have Completed This course
Free
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    1.5
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Jun 5th, 2026

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