Partial Hospitalization Program for Mental Health: Intensive Daily Care, Real-World Progress
Structured support that bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care.
The space between regular outpatient therapy and residential care can be difficult to navigate. And for many people with serious mental health issues, this transition is when they need the most support to keep them on track.
This is where a partial hospitalization program (PHP) comes in. Designed to bridge the gap between inpatient and outpatient care, PHP is a structured, intensive, and clinically based program that matches the intensity of an inpatient program while still allowing clients to start reintegrating back into their lives.
Agape Behavioral Health’s PHP is built upon the concept that providing intensive clinical support and reintegration back into the “real world” are not two opposing goals. In fact, they can be complementary. The ultimate goal of our PHP program is not just to stabilize symptoms but to begin building the knowledge, skill, and emotional strength required to achieve long-term recovery.
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program for Mental Health?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a structured, daytime program for patients that typically operates five days per week for multiple hours per day. It is one of the most intensive forms of outpatient treatment and was created for patients with mental illness whose symptoms are severe enough to warrant daily support but who are able to safely live outside of a 24-hour supervised facility.[1]
Our PHP at Agape includes a blend of individualized therapy sessions, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, and evidence-based clinical interventions provided by a multidisciplinary staff of licensed professionals, therapists, and social workers. All aspects of a patient’s schedule are tailored to meet their specific treatment needs. Their treatment plan will be developed during their initial assessment and will continue to evolve throughout their participation in the PHP.
PHP can be used for a variety of mental health diagnoses such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, PTSD, OCD, mood disorders, and co-occurring disorders involving substance use.[2] PHP is also widely recognized as an effective treatment option for individuals managing substance use disorder, as addiction treatment and substance abuse treatment can happen simultaneously.
Who Is PHP Right For?
Mental health PHP programs provide intensive clinical support best suited for patients who are stepping down from an inpatient hospital stay or residential treatment program, but require much more structure and clinical support than standard outpatient therapy provides, and for patients experiencing significant psychiatric symptoms who have not received adequate relief from outpatient therapy and require a more extensive level of clinical intervention to prevent a mental health crisis.[3]
PHP should never be considered a “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment. At Agape, we do not recommend PHP unless it is indicated by a thorough clinical evaluation. Each person’s clinical status, diagnosis, symptom intensity, treatment history, and living environment will be evaluated by our admissions team to determine if they would benefit most from a PHP or another level of care.
Some examples of people who can benefit from PHP include those who are:
- Experiencing depression that has failed to respond to outpatient treatment
- Diagnosed with bipolar disorder that requires close monitoring and daily clinical support
- Diagnosed with anxiety disorders that are causing significant impairment in their ability to function
- Are managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or trauma-related conditions that require intensive clinical work
- Presenting with co-occurring disorders involving mental health and substance use
- Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or other mood disorders that require daily structured clinical intervention
What to Expect in Agape's PHP Program
Each day of programming in Agape’s partial hospitalization program offers a unique opportunity for each participant to become an engaged member of a structured, therapeutic community. Days are organized around a schedule that provides enough structure to support healing without removing people entirely from the world they are working toward re-engaging with.
Evidence-Based Therapies
The foundation of Agape’s PHP mental health program consists of evidence-based therapies, using well-established methods of treating complex psychiatric conditions.
These evidence-based therapeutic techniques can include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — Participants learn to recognize the negative automatic thought patterns and develop healthier ways to respond to the issues that arise in their lives.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — DBT helps clients develop practical coping mechanisms to deal with emotional dysregulation, distress tolerance, and improve interpersonal effectiveness.
- Individual therapy sessions — One-on-one sessions provide clients with individualized attention from a licensed clinician to work through their personal history, trauma, and treatment plans.
- Group therapy — An opportunity to share in the collective experiences and strengths of fellow participants to normalize struggles associated with mental illness and foster a supportive environment that encourages and reinforces growth.
- Family therapy — When appropriate, clients’ families can become involved in the recovery process in ways that promote healthy relationships and establish a more stable home environment.
Additional components of the PHP program include mindfulness practices, psychoeducation classes, and other holistic therapeutic approaches designed to treat the entire person — addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual components of mental illness.
Medication Management and Psychiatric Support
For many people participating in a PHP program, medication is an important part of their treatment plan. Agape’s psychiatric team is available to provide ongoing medication management throughout the duration of the program, continuously assessing effectiveness, making adjustments as necessary, and verifying that all medications are working as needed with the therapeutic efforts happening in individual and group sessions.
This integrated approach to medication and therapy reflects our understanding that mental health treatment is most effective when biological and psychological dimensions of care are addressed simultaneously and by a team that communicates closely.
A Community That Supports Your Recovery
Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of participating in a PHP program is the therapeutic community formed between the people within it. Group therapy is not just an alternative to individual therapy; it offers its own significant clinical advantages.[4] Participating in group therapy allows individuals to be acknowledged and understood by peers who understand what you’re going through. Participants also have opportunities to practice communication and coping skills in a real social context and receive support from peers within a safe and predictable group format. This type of experience can lead to tremendous growth.
At Agape, we hold the integrity and safety of this type of community in high regard. Experienced clinicians facilitate our group programs, creating environments characterized by trust, responsibility, and mutual respect among members.
PHP as Part of Your Broader Treatment Journey
PHP programs offer a specific level of care along the continuum of mental health treatment, and understanding how it fits into the broader arc of recovery is important for anyone considering it.
For some, PHP follows periods of inpatient treatment or residential care and serves as a bridge between higher levels of care and independent living. Others use PHP programs as an entry point into treatment, providing them with the level of support their symptoms require before they can step down into less intensive levels of treatment like IOP or outpatient services.
In either case, PHP is not a destination; it is one phase in a longer journey. At Agape, every aspect of the PHP experience is focused on preparing participants for their eventual discharge, which is typically an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or outpatient therapy, based on each individual’s progress and clinical needs. Discharge planning begins early in treatment to ensure that when it’s time to step down in care, they are truly ready.
You Deserve the Right Level of Support
Choosing to invest in your mental health is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you understand exactly what you need. At Agape Behavioral Health, our PHP program offers the structure and clinical support you need to truly achieve long-term recovery.
Reach out today. Our admissions team is available to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and determine if our partial hospitalization program is the best fit for where you are now.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Partial Hospitalization for Mental Health
What is the difference between PHP and inpatient treatment?
Residential or inpatient treatment involves 24-hour care while residing in a hospital or residential facility and is used for individuals experiencing severe symptoms of mental illness or a mental health emergency. While PHP offers similar levels of clinical intensity, this occurs during the structured hours of the participant’s day. Participants return to their residence in the evening. PHP is for those requiring extensive daily clinical support who do not need constant overnight observation.
How many hours per day is PHP?
A typical PHP program runs approximately five to eight hours per day, five days per week, although scheduling may vary depending on the program and individual treatment needs. At Agape, we create a structured daily schedule that allows for the highest degree of clinical effectiveness without causing undue fatigue to our clients.
Can PHP treat both mental health and substance use?
Yes. Agape’s PHP program addresses co-occurring disorders, which are both mental illness and substance use disorders, using an integrated treatment approach. Studies have shown that addressing these disorders simultaneously has a greater success rate than treating them separately. Our clinical staff is trained to provide this type of care.
How long does PHP last?
The duration of PHP depends on the client’s clinical progress, diagnosis, treatment goals, and other factors. Typically, some clients remain in PHP for two to four weeks while others benefit from additional time. As the client progresses clinically, they begin transitioning to the next appropriate level of care.
What comes after PHP?
Following completion of PHP, most clients transition to an intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOP continues providing therapeutic services with reduced frequency and intensity compared to PHP. Following successful completion of IOP, many clients then proceed with standard outpatient care. Prior to completing their PHP program, Agape staff will assist in developing a personalized aftercare plan.
Does insurance cover partial hospitalization?
Most commercial insurance companies include PHP as part of their behavioral health coverage. Upon receiving confirmation of your coverage and prior to starting treatment, our admissions staff will review your policy with you so you clearly understand your coverage options.
Sources
[1] [3] Khawaja, I. S., & Westermeyer, J. J. (2010). Providing crisis-oriented and recovery-based treatment in partial hospitalization programs. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 7(2), 28–31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2848466/
[2] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). LCD – Psychiatric partial hospitalization programs (L34196). https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/lcd.aspx?lcdid=34196
[4] Burlingame, G. M., Strauss, B., & Joyce, A. S. (2013). Change mechanisms and effectiveness of small group treatments. In M. J. Lambert (Ed.), Bergin and Garfield’s handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (6th ed.). Wiley. Summary available from Springer Nature: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_37-1
