2025 Outcomes Study Report: Adult & Teen Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Mission Connection offers a comprehensive level of outpatient mental healthcare for those who need more support than traditional once-a-week therapy can provide.
Designed to fit seamlessly into our clients’ lives, our flexible clinical programming is offered at times that accommodate their schedules, with options to participate either in person or through virtual telehealth. In addition to individual therapy, clients participate in a variety of structured group therapy sessions that foster healing through connection, shared experience, and skill-building.
Our programs also include medication management, ensuring that clients receive coordinated psychiatric support alongside therapeutic care. This integrated model is delivered by licensed therapists and clinicians who specialize in helping clients build the tools, insight, and resilience needed for lasting healing.
Data Collection
Mission Connection continues to uphold its commitment to data-driven quality improvement through the diligent maintenance of our intake and discharge surveys, utilizing rigorously validated instruments. Our dedication to excellence is exemplified by our ongoing measurement of critical indicators, including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and self-harm behaviors via the Gad-7 and the PHQ-9. By consistently monitoring these key metrics, we ensure the effectiveness and responsiveness of our interventions, enabling us to provide the highest standard of care to our clients.
The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are validated screening tools used to assess the severity of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, respectively. The PHQ-9 consists of nine questions aligned with DSM-5 criteria, measuring depressive symptoms over the past two weeks, while the GAD-7 includes seven questions evaluating core anxiety symptoms. Both tools are widely used in clinical and research settings to track symptom progression, guide treatment planning, and support diagnosis. Research has consistently shown their reliability, validity, and effectiveness in detecting and monitoring depression and anxiety-related conditions.
We collect data through our Outcome Tools portal, integrated with our EHR, with inputs from staff or clients. Assessments are completed at intake, weekly, and at discharge to track progress and outcomes. Additionally, we provide surveys to our clients monthly to track overall satisfaction with our programs.
As we look ahead, we are inspired by the progress reflected in this report and by the lives behind the data. Our mission continues to be guided by the belief that meaningful change is achievable through thoughtful, high-quality care. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by individuals, families, and partners, and we remain committed to advancing clinical excellence and innovation in service of lasting impact.Ted Guastello, Chief Executive Officer
Client Diagnosis
At Mission Connection, a clear understanding of each client’s diagnosis is foundational to delivering meaningful, effective care. More than half of our clients present with depressive disorders, alongside others experiencing bipolar disorder, thought disorders, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions. Recognizing the complexity and individuality of these experiences allows us to tailor treatment to each client’s specific needs.
Initial diagnoses are informed by prior records and comprehensive assessments, and are continually refined throughout treatment. This collaborative, ongoing process ensures that by discharge, each client has a well-defined, accurate understanding of their mental health, supporting both clarity and continuity of care.
Depression
Mission Connection integrates a range of evidence-based modalities to support clients in managing depression and building sustainable coping strategies. Because clients in this program often present with less acute symptoms, measurable progress can be more nuanced. Even so, clients achieved a 41% reduction in depressive symptoms by discharge, underscoring the effectiveness of a personalized, structured approach that supports continued growth.
Anxiety
Mission Connection integrates a range of therapeutic modalities designed to support effective anxiety management. The notable 37% reduction in anxiety symptoms achieved by clients upon discharge underscores the success of our tailored approach in helping individuals experience meaningful progress and relief.
What These Results Mean for Our Clients
As symptoms of anxiety and depression lessen and well-being strengthens, clients benefit from:
The Flourishing Scale
The Flourishing Scale is an eight-item measure of psychological well-being, assessing how individuals view their lives across areas such as relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. Scores range from 8-56.
The survey is a quick score of strongly agree (7) to strongly disagree (1) for the following questions:
- I lead a purposeful and meaningful life.
- My relationships are supporting and rewarding.
- I am engaged in my daily activities.
- I actively contribute to the happiness and well-being of others.
- I am competent in the activities that are important to me.
- I am a good person and live a good life.
- I am optimistic about my future.
- People respect me.
The score are added together to create a final Flourishing Score. We utilize this tool to check the progress of our patients over the course of their Mission Connection programs.
How To Interpret The Outcomes
The Flourishing Scale measures an individual’s perceived success across 8 key areas of life, including:
Alumni Experience
“What Mission Connection did for me, it provided a context for me to actually continue dealing with the root causes around my mental illness… Mission Connection is 100% a place that I would come back to if I had to do everything over. This place gave me back my life. I want to spend the rest of my days pointing people to Mission Connection.”
– Gabriel
Client Satisfaction
Mission Connection’s Outpatient Program earned outstanding client satisfaction, with ratings of 86% and above across all survey metrics this year. Clients spend an average of 12 weeks with us, benefiting from our evidence-based approach, flexible programming, and focus on connection through individual, experiential, and group therapies. These results highlight the program’s effectiveness in fostering meaningful progress and lasting recovery.
View our previous 2024 Outcome Report or 2023 Outcome Report for Mission Connection here.
View our Adult Residential Mental Health 2025 Outcome Report.
View our Teen Residential Mental Health 2025 Outcome Report.