Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), often called “day treatment,” can be an important step towards recovery from addiction or other mental health issues. As a treatment option for intensive outpatients, PHP delivers the structure and assistance of inpatient rehabilitation without the requirement to live in the center.
Our PHP program helps clients recover their lives using proven therapies such as CBT, DBT, group sessions, and medication management – all designed to meet your individual requirements. Before you begin, make sure you’re equipped with these essential guidelines, gleaned from professional guidelines, real experiences of patients, and the best rehabilitation standards. This guide will ensure that you’re ready for success.
1. Understand What PHP Really Is (And Why It’s a Game-Changer)
PHP bridges rehab inpatients (24/7 support), and IOP (3-5 hours, three days a week). It’s ideal if you’re stable enough to go home but need intensive daily support to combat cravings or triggers. Plan for 20+ hours a week of structured programs, including group therapy, private psychoeducation, counseling, and other holistic exercises such as arts therapy or yoga.
This gives you the ability to receive intensive assistance while reintegrating into your daily responsibilities.
2. Who is it suitable for?
PHP is not a good fit for everyone. The most common candidates are those who:
- Are in the process of completing detoxification, inpatient or residential treatment, and need to transition out of treatment.
- Do you suffer from co-occurring mental health problems and require integrated medical/psychiatric supervision?
- Are able to return home or move into a secure home that is stable and secure every night (i.e. they don’t require constant supervision).
- Before beginning, determine if the circumstances of your life (living environment or support network, and health condition) correspond to a PHP.
3. What happens during a PHP day?
You can expect a highly structured and therapeutic program. Sessions usually consist of:
- Therapy for individuals (one-on-one with a therapist)
- The group therapy (peer groups or process groups, process)
- Educational/psycho-educational sessions about addiction, relapse prevention, coping skills
- Medical or psychiatric check-ins and possibly medication-assisted treatment (MAT) if appropriate.
- The schedule could be intensive: long hours every day, typically 5 or more days in a week.
4. How intense is it compared to other levels of care?
A PHP is more intensive than an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and less intensive than full residential/inpatient. For instance, PHPs can require up to 20 hours of structured therapy compared to IOPs that require fewer hours.
It is designed to give you a lot of assistance while allowing you to remain outside the facility during the night.
5. Duration and what to expect in terms of commitment
The duration of a PHP differs based on the personal requirements, the rehab’s method of operation, and your progress. Certain programs can last for several weeks, while others may last longer.
Plan for a daily schedule, perhaps 5-7 days per week, and a few hours every day. Check that your work, family, and living arrangements are able to accommodate this commitment.
6. Costs and insurance/financial considerations
Since PHP is a high-intensity program and has a large number of medical/therapeutic services, the costs are higher than typical outpatient programs, but generally lower than residential care in full.
Make sure that the insurance plan you are on covers PHP, which self-pay or copayments are covered, and if the provider is in network (if appropriate). Request a detailed list of the costs, possible extra services, and what will happen in the event that you require support for a longer period of time.
7. The importance of aftercare & stepping down
A PHP isn’t necessarily the final stage of therapy. Think of it as the bridge. When you’ve completed PHP, most people move to less intensive programs such as IOP or standard outpatient or support groups that continue to meet.
Before you begin, talk to the hospital about its follow-up plan, including how you’ll get through the process, what help you’ll receive, and how relapse prevention is incorporated into it.
8. Living arrangement, balance and responsibility
Because you’ll be heading back home (or to a sober living arrangement) every evening, your home environment is crucial. You’ll require a stable living space that is safe and secure comfortable environment. If your home is chaotic and triggers anxiety, or isn’t favorable to healing, it could impact the outcomes.
Additionally, since you’re not a resident, you’ll be able to exercise more discretion, which is great however, it also means that you’ll have to be accountable in your healing, go to sessions, adhere to rules, and plan your time outside of work carefully.
9. Co-occurring disorders and holistic care
A lot of people who enter PHPs have multiple diagnoses, including addiction with mental health issues. One of the benefits of a solid PHP is the fact that it integrates medical and psychiatric treatment alongside treatment for addiction.
Make sure your program addresses both of these, and if they incorporate holistic elements (fitness food, mindfulness, nutrition, and family therapy) that promote long-term health and not only symptom relief.
10. Ask the right questions – What to check before enrolling
Before you commit, make sure you ask the facility:
- What hours are required each day, and how many days per week?
- What therapies are offered (CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, group, family)?
- What is the staff-to-client ratio? What credentials do staff have?
- Does the program accept your insurance? What are self-pay rates?
- What happens if you relapse or need an increased level of care?
- What is the aftercare/step-down plan?
- Is the program licensed/accredited? Are outcomes available?
By asking these, you ensure transparency and alignment with your needs.
Final Thoughts
The decision to sign up for the PHP is a significant commitment to recovery. If you go in with an open mind, being aware of the terms of your commitment and how the program is going to fit into your life — assists you to create a long-lasting post-treatment lifestyle.
If you’d like, we’ll modify this to fit the specific location of your area Include the local regulations or modify it for the specialties of your facility (e.g. family-friendly, trauma-informed, luxurious, etc.).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The main focus of a PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) is to provide intensive, structured therapy and medical support during the day while allowing patients to return home at night. It bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care for addiction or mental health recovery.
A PHP treatment program offers daily, comprehensive therapy sessions including individual, group, and medical care for people needing more support than outpatient care but less than full hospitalization.
A mental health PHP provides daily therapeutic and psychiatric services for individuals managing conditions like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder without requiring overnight hospital stays.
PHP treatment combines intensive professional care with the flexibility of living at home, helping patients practice real-world recovery skills while maintaining strong clinical support.
A PHP is a structured day program offering therapy, education, and medical oversight; patients attend for several hours daily and return home afterward, promoting recovery and independence.
A PHP offers more hours of treatment and medical supervision than an IOP, making it suitable for people who need a higher level of care before stepping down to less intensive therapy.
