What is a partial hospitalization program (PHP)?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an intensive day-based treatment service that provides clinical care, group therapy, and psychiatric services several days per week, allowing patients to return home in the evening.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) occupies the middle ground in the continuum of care. It provides clinical support and treatment during daytime hours, typically 5-7 hours per day and 3-5 days per week, without requiring overnight hospitalization. This structure allows individuals to maintain some connection to home, work, or family while receiving intensive treatment for mental health conditions or substance use disorders.
The typical PHP day includes individual therapy sessions with a counselor or therapist, group therapy sessions, psychiatric evaluations and medication management, educational workshops on coping skills and wellness, and sometimes case management services. Treatment plans are tailored to each person's needs and adjusted as progress is made.
PHPs serve as a step-down from inpatient hospitalization for people transitioning out of acute crisis care, or as a step-up from standard outpatient counseling for those who need more structure and support than weekly individual therapy alone provides. They are commonly used for major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, trauma, and substance use recovery. In the Columbia area, substance-abuse counselors and mental health providers can help determine whether a PHP is an appropriate level of care for your situation.