What is a Partial Hospitalization Program?
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a structured outpatient treatment program that provides intensive clinical care without overnight residence at the facility. Clients attend 5 to 6 hours of programming per day across 5 to 6 days per week, totaling 25 to 30 hours of therapy weekly. PHP is sometimes called day treatment.
PHP operates as the highest level of outpatient care, sitting between residential treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP) on the continuum of care. Clients receive the same evidence-based therapies used in residential settings but return to their home or a recovery residence each evening.
Who is PHP appropriate for?
PHP is designed for individuals who are medically stable but require intensive daily clinical support. Common candidates include:
- Clients stepping down from residential or inpatient treatment who are not yet ready for IOP
- Individuals with moderate-to-severe substance use disorders who have a safe living environment
- People with co-occurring mental health conditions requiring daily psychiatric oversight
- Clients who have relapsed after a lower level of care and need to re-engage at a higher intensity
- Individuals whose insurance authorizes outpatient-level care rather than residential
A clinical assessment determines whether PHP is the appropriate level of care. Clients can step down to IOP as they progress or step up to residential if clinically indicated.
Questions About Who is PHP appropriate?
Call our 24/7 admissions line or verify your insurance online.
What does the PHP schedule include?
PHP at Ascend runs 5 to 6 days per week with 5 to 6 hours of structured programming each day. A typical daily schedule includes:
- Morning check-in and mindfulness practice
- Individual therapy (2 to 3 sessions per week)
- Process group therapy (daily)
- Psychoeducation groups covering relapse prevention, coping skills, and emotional regulation
- Psychiatric services including medication management
- Family programming and family therapy sessions
- Case management and discharge planning
The 25 to 30 hour weekly structure provides clinical intensity comparable to residential treatment while allowing clients to practice recovery skills in real-world settings each evening.
“PHP provides the clinical intensity of residential treatment with the real-world integration that builds lasting recovery skills. Clients practice what they learn in therapy every single evening.”
How long does PHP typically last?
PHP at Ascend typically lasts 4 to 6 weeks. Duration depends on clinical progress, treatment goals, co-occurring conditions, and insurance authorization. The clinical team reassesses each client weekly and adjusts the treatment plan accordingly.
Most clients transition from PHP to IOP after completing the program. This step-down approach maintains continuity of care while gradually reducing treatment intensity. Research shows that clients who complete both PHP and IOP have significantly lower relapse rates than those who discharge directly from a single level of care.
What therapies are included in PHP?
PHP incorporates multiple evidence-based therapeutic modalities:
- Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist using CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, or trauma-focused approaches
- Group therapy: Process groups addressing interpersonal dynamics, shared experiences, and peer accountability
- Psychiatric services: Medication evaluation, management, and ongoing psychiatric consultation
- Family programming: Family therapy sessions and psychoeducation to repair relationships and build a supportive home environment
- Holistic modalities: Mindfulness, yoga, art therapy, and life skills training as clinically appropriate
- Relapse prevention: Skills-based groups focused on identifying triggers, building coping strategies, and creating a sustainable recovery plan
