What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)? An Intensive Outpatient Option for Mental Health Re

Mental health concerns and substance use issues pose unique challenges, but fortunately, today, there are different treatment options to help every patient get the help they need to enjoy better health and wellness. While some people benefit from inpatient care, others do best with weekly or biweekly outpatient therapy sessions.

But what happens when hospitalization isn’t necessary, but traditional outpatient sessions fall short of the level of care you need to move forward? That’s when a partial hospitalization program (PHP) can help.

Temika Heyward, PhD, FNP, CRNP, PMH, and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health are committed to ensuring every patient receives the type and level of care they need to heal and recover. Here, learn how PHP works and how it could fit into your healthcare journey.

Partial hospitalization: The basics

Sometimes referred to as day treatment or day programs, partial hospitalization programs provide a “bridge” between inpatient treatment and traditional outpatient therapy, offering an intermediate level of care that typically involves intensive, interactive sessions five days a week for at least four hours per day. Some programs offer treatment seven days a week.

With a PHP, you’ll receive ongoing care and support based on your needs during the day while returning home for evenings and weekends, similar to a regular school or work schedule. Most PHPs include a variety of therapy options, like individual therapy and group therapy, as well as medication management.

The structured environment of a PHP helps you maintain greater stability while gaining deeper insight into the challenges and obstacles you need to overcome. You’ll learn better ways of coping with stressors and improve social skills, as well. Plus, you’ll do it all in a supportive, “safe” environment designed to develop and practice “real-life” strategies to improve your overall wellness and quality of life.

Benefitting from PHP

PHPs can be a very effective treatment option if you’ve been struggling with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or if you have an emotional health issue combined with a substance use disorder (SUD).

PHPs are also frequently prescribed for people coming out of inpatient therapy who still need a higher level of support than what’s provided by weekly sessions. In short, this type of program can be a great choice for any person who needs support beyond what weekly therapy sessions can provide, including those who:

Need intensive therapy — but not 24-hour supervision
Can benefit from gradual transition from inpatient treatment
Have been dealing with very intense emotional symptoms that need more than outpatient therapy
Need a structured venue for building real-life social skills and coping strategies

In addition to receiving more intensive medical and therapeutic support, PHPs help patients develop greater self-confidence and self-esteem, setting the stage for better long-term health and success.

Your PHP plan will be designed to support your unique needs and will adjust over time as those needs change. Over time, you’ll reap the rewards that come from developing a greater sense of control over your own destiny.

The right level of care for you

Like any health issue, emotional health issues exist on a spectrum, and providing an optimal level of care for each individual’s needs is essential for healing and recovery. PHPs offer an alternative to traditional outpatient therapy and inpatient care, helping patients get the care and support they need within a program tailored to their specific needs.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health concerns or substance use, a PHP may offer the focused care necessary to regain balance and move forward with confidence.

To learn more about PHPs and other treatment plans, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Heyward and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.