Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are two of the most popular options for teen mental health treatment. That’s, at least in part, because they don’t require overnight stays in treatment centers. Teens can still get effective clinical support from licensed professionals but return home in the evening, where they can pick back up with their families and lives without much impact.
What is a partial hospitalization program?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive level of outpatient care. Treatment intensity is nearly identical to inpatient care, where clients receive 24/7 support and monitoring. Instead, though, teens in a PHP go to treatment five days a week—like a normal school week. They’ll be in treatment for most of the day before returning home at night.
In a PHP, teens can receive medication management services from a psychiatric provider, psychotherapy (talk therapy) in one-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist, group support from other teens in treatment, and academic support to help them stay on top of their schoolwork.
PHP admission requirements
- In need of treatment – In order to be eligible for a PHP, teens must be diagnosed with a mental health condition that interferes with most areas of their lives. Initial assessments can diagnose any conditions that might be undiagnosed but clearly affecting their well-being.
- Have support at home – Since teens return home at night, they’ll need a safe, supportive place to go. Family education and therapy can help parents learn more about what their teen is experiencing while building skills to support them.
- Not a danger to self/others – Teens entering a PHP must not be in active crisis. While they may have a recent history of self-harm or other concerns, they’re stable and able to participate in treatment.
What is an intensive outpatient program?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are flexible outpatient programs that provide support for teens with mental health issues that are getting in the way of their daily lives. Just like with PHP services, IOPs might include medication management, individual therapy, and group support sessions. Other supportive programming, like academics, might be less frequent in an IOP since teens will spend less time in treatment every week.
IOPs usually provide 10 or fewer hours of treatment per week. That means that teens will only spend a couple of hours per day at a treatment center before returning home. This offers the flexibility that some families need to attend treatment while still having an active work, school, and extracurricular schedule.
Admission to an IOP is typically the same as a PHP, just with less need for intensive services. Clients must be stable, able to participate in treatment, and have support at home.
How are PHPs and IOPs different?
The services offered in these types of outpatient programs are largely the same. The difference between the two really boils down to intensity and time, which affects the flexibility of your family’s schedule.
Intensity
PHPs can accommodate more immediate and severe concerns about your teen’s mental health. If they’ve recently completed an inpatient or residential program—or if they’ve stabilized after recent self-harm events or other risky behaviors—a PHP can provide intense support without 24/7 monitoring.
IOPs, on the other hand, might be better for more acute and/or less severe concerns. They can be good stepping stones after completing a PHP, residential, or inpatient program, or if your teen just needs a few hours of support a week to learn how to cope with their mental health.
Time
With fewer hours per week in a program, teens who participate in an IOP will spend less time away from home and school than those who attend PHP treatment. That means less of a disruption to their daily lives—and yours. In turn, this also means that you’ll have more flexibility in scheduling work, school events, travel, and other important commitments.
A convenient adolescent PHP in South Florida
The Pinnacle Day Program powered by Family First Adolescent Services provides flexible partial hospitalization-level care for teens aged 12–18 in South Florida. Families in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties can all find professional support at our convenient location in Ft. Lauderdale.
We provide care for teens struggling with OCD, depression, anxiety, gaming and screen addiction, and much more. Our program doesn’t just treat the symptoms your teen is dealing with—we help them explore their mental health so they can learn to cope with it and move forward with confidence.
When you enroll your teen in the Pinnacle Day Program, you can expect:
- Small group sizes
- Professional academic support
- Clinical care from experts
- Family involvement and education
- Individual therapy sessions
- Creative group therapies
- Executive functioning skills practice
You can trust the experts at Family First to help your teen become the expert over their own internal world. Plus, you’ll be involved every step of the way, helping you rebuild connections with your teen and make your home a place where they can thrive. You don’t have to do it alone—reach out to us online or call 888.904.5947 now.