What Is a Partial-Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

Navigating mental health treatment options can feel overwhelming, especially when symptoms intensify and weekly therapy no longer feels sufficient. One level of care that often bridges the gap between outpatient counseling and inpatient hospitalization is a Partial-Hospitalization Program (PHP). Understanding what PHP is, who it’s for, and how it fits into the broader continuum of care can help individuals and families make informed decisions during challenging times.

What Is a Partial-Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

A Partial-Hospitalization Program is a structured, intensive mental health treatment option that provides several hours of therapeutic services during the day while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings. PHPs are sometimes referred to as “day treatment” programs because they offer hospital-level intensity without requiring overnight stays.

Most PHPs run five days per week for multiple hours each day and include a combination of group therapy, individual therapy, psychiatric care, medication management, psychoeducation, and skills training. The structure is designed to provide significant clinical support while still allowing individuals to practice coping skills in their real-world environments.

PHPs are commonly used when someone needs more support than traditional outpatient therapy can provide but does not require 24/7 supervision or crisis stabilization.

How PHP Compares to Other Levels of Care

Inpatient hospitalization is the most intensive level of mental health care. Individuals stay overnight in a hospital or psychiatric facility and receive constant monitoring. This level of care is typically reserved for situations involving immediate safety concerns, severe psychiatric symptoms, or acute crises.

PHP differs in that it does not include overnight stays or continuous supervision. Instead, it offers intensive treatment during the day while allowing individuals to return home, making it less restrictive and more integrated into daily life.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) provide structured treatment but at a lower intensity than PHPs. IOPs usually involve therapy sessions several times per week for a few hours at a time, allowing participants to maintain work, school, or caregiving responsibilities more easily.

PHPs are more time-intensive and structured than IOPs, making them better suited for individuals who need daily therapeutic support.

Outpatient counseling, such as the services provided by Teal Saguaro Wellness, typically involves weekly or biweekly sessions with a licensed therapist. This level of care is ideal for individuals managing mild to moderate symptoms, working on personal growth, or maintaining stability after completing higher levels of care.

While outpatient therapy is highly effective for many people, it does not provide the same level of structure, frequency, or multidisciplinary support as a PHP. In some cases, PHP may be used temporarily, with outpatient counseling resuming once symptoms stabilize.

Types of Partial-Hospitalization Programs

Partial-hospitalization programs are often tailored to specific clinical needs. Common program types include:

• Psychiatric/Mental Health PHPs, which focus on conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other mood or thought disorders

• Addiction or Substance Use PHPs, which provide structured recovery support, relapse prevention, and therapeutic intervention

• Co-Occurring Disorder PHPs, designed for individuals managing both mental health and substance use concerns simultaneously

• Eating Disorder PHPs, which combine therapeutic care with medical monitoring and nutritional support

• Adolescent or Young Adult PHPs, tailored to developmental needs and family involvement

Many programs integrate evidence-based therapies, coping skills training, and psychoeducation to support long-term recovery.

Who Typically Qualifies for PHP?

PHP is often appropriate for individuals who:

• Need more support than weekly outpatient therapy provides

• Are experiencing worsening symptoms but are able to remain safe outside a hospital setting

• Are stepping down from inpatient hospitalization and need continued structure

• Are at risk of hospitalization without additional therapeutic support

• Require daily monitoring or medication management without overnight care

A mental health professional typically completes a clinical assessment to determine whether PHP is the most appropriate level of care.

How Do People Enter a PHP?

There are several common pathways into a partial-hospitalization program:

• Voluntary Admission - Some individuals choose PHP proactively when they recognize that symptoms are escalating or daily functioning is becoming difficult.

• Referral From a Provider - Outpatient therapists, psychiatrists, or primary care providers may recommend PHP when a higher level of care is clinically indicated.

• Step-Down From Inpatient Care - PHP is frequently used as a transitional step after inpatient hospitalization to help individuals reintegrate into daily life while maintaining structured support.

• Emergency or Crisis Evaluation Recommendation - After stabilization in an emergency or crisis setting, PHP may be recommended as a next step.

Can PHP Providers Work With Your Outpatient Therapist?

In many cases, yes. With appropriate consent, PHP treatment teams can collaborate with an individual’s existing outpatient therapist. This collaboration may include sharing treatment goals, progress updates, and discharge planning to ensure continuity of care.

However, communication depends on client consent and the policies of both providers. Many people return to outpatient counseling—such as therapy at Teal Saguaro Wellness—after completing PHP, making coordination especially valuable.

Benefits of Partial-Hospitalization Programs

Partial-hospitalization programs offer several important benefits:

• A high level of therapeutic structure without overnight hospitalization

• Multidisciplinary care involving therapists, psychiatrists, and other clinicians

• Daily support while maintaining connection to home, family, and community

• Skill-building and relapse prevention strategies

• Reduced risk of hospitalization or rehospitalization

• A clear pathway back to outpatient therapy and long-term support

For many individuals, PHP provides the stability and intensity needed to regain footing during particularly challenging periods.

Partial-Hospitalization Programs in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus has a variety of programs offering partial-hospitalization services for mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions. Availability and focus vary, and individuals are encouraged to contact programs directly for details.

• Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center – Harding Hospital

• SUN Behavioral Health Columbus

• Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry

• Ohio Addiction Recovery Center

• The Recovery Village Columbus

• Recreate Behavioral Health of Ohio

• OhioHealth Outpatient Behavioral Health

• Triumph Living Mental & Behavioral Health Services

• Forward Health – Columbus

• Foundations Group Recovery Centers (Ohio locations)

An outpatient therapist can often help determine which program may be the best fit and assist with referrals.

Final Thoughts

Partial-hospitalization programs play a vital role in the mental health treatment continuum. They offer intensive, structured support without the restrictions of inpatient care and can be a powerful tool for stabilization, recovery, and growth.

For individuals who do not require hospitalization but need more than weekly therapy, PHP may be an appropriate and effective next step. Outpatient providers, like Teal Saguaro Wellness, can help clients explore this option, coordinate care, and provide ongoing support before and after higher levels of treatment.