Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Structured daytime treatment for teens who need more support than outpatient care provides.
What PHPs Look Like at Imagine by Northpoint
Our PHPs are 4–6-week programs that provide full-day treatment for teens who need more structure and support than a lower level of outpatient care can offer. The program focuses on stabilizing symptoms, building coping skills, and helping teens regain a sense of balance in daily life.
Creates Stability During Difficult Periods
A higher level of care can help when emotions or behaviors feel harder to manage.
Improves Daily Functioning
Treatment focuses on restoring routines, motivation, and engagement in everyday life.
Rebuild Confidence and Direction
Structured support helps teens regain a sense of stability and forward momentum.
Who Is a Good Fit for a Partial Hospitalization Program?
PHP is designed for teens who need more intensive support than once-weekly therapy or IOP care can provide but who do not require inpatient hospitalization. It offers full-day therapeutic treatment while allowing teens to return home in the evenings.
PHP can also support teens stepping down from inpatient care who still need strong clinical support before transitioning to IOP or outpatient therapy.
Signs our Partial Hospitalization Program is the Right Choice
This level of care may help if your teen is experiencing:
- Severe anxiety, depression, or emotional instability
- Frequent emotional crises or difficulty regulating emotions
- Thoughts of self-harm or harming others
- Major changes in sleep, appetite, or daily functioning
- Withdrawal from school, friends, or family
- Ongoing behavioral struggles that disrupt home or school life
What Partial Hospitalization Treatment Can Help With
Our PHPs focus on stabilization, skill-building, and helping teens regain enough footing to move forward to a lower level of outpatient care.
Mental Health
PHP helps teens manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns through full-day therapeutic support.
Substance Use Disorder
Treatment addresses substance use while helping teens build healthier coping skills and reduce the risk of continued use.
Dual Diagnosis
Coordinated care treats mental health and substance use together so both can be addressed at the same time.
Therapies We Use in Treatment
Care brings together proven, evidence-based approaches and adapts them to each teen, supporting steady progress and lasting change.
Featured Resources
Explore resources that meet you wherever you are in your journey.
-
Treatment & Therapy OptionsFamily Therapy for Teens: Benefits, Goals, and What to Expect
-
Treatment & Therapy OptionsInterpersonal Therapy for Adolescents with Anxiety
FAQs About PHPs for Teens
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
A PHP provides full-day mental health treatment while teens continue living at home. It offers more support than IOP or weekly therapy but does not require overnight care.
How long does a PHP last?
Our PHP program is typically 4 to 6 weeks. Program length can vary based on each teen’s needs, depending on the location and level of support recommended by the care team.
What’s the difference between IOP and PHP?
PHPs are a higher level of care than an intensive outpatient program (IOP). PHP runs Monday through Friday for 6+ hours a day, while IOP is typically after school, 3 days a week, for about 3 hours a day.
PHP is often a better fit when symptoms are more severe or daily functioning is more affected. IOP is a good option for teens who need more support than weekly therapy but can still manage home and school with added structure.
Not sure what level of care makes the most sense? Take our free quiz and/or reach out to our admissions team. We’ll assess your teen’s needs and help determine the best level of care.
Will my teen still live at home during PHP?
Yes, teens attend treatment during the day and return home in the evenings. The program also includes school coordination to help support academic continuity during treatment.
Is family involved in treatment?
Family involvement is an important part of the program. Family therapy and regular communication help strengthen support at home and keep parents informed about progress and next steps.
Can my teen continue school during treatment?
Our team works to collaborate with your child’s school and district to keep education on track. Because each district has different policies, we recommend you also connect with the school’s support staff to explore available options if your child attends daytime Partial Hospitalization (PHP) care. You might also consider exploring state advocacy resources under IDEA.
Not sure what your teen needs? Reach out today and we’ll help you find the right path.