How Does a Partial Hospitalization Program Work?

Mental health issues and substance abuse disorders can affect people in very different ways. For some people, medication or psychotherapy can help lessen or relieve symptoms. Others need more in-depth, focused intervention, like the personal care provided during partial hospitalization.

At Conduit Behavioral Health, Temika Heyward, PhD, FNP, CRNP, PMH, and her team ensure every patient receives the most appropriate care to help them lead healthier, happier lives. In this post, learn more about partial hospitalization, including what it involves and how it can meet your unique needs.

Partial hospitalization: The basics

Also called day treatment, partial hospitalization is an intensive outpatient therapy that bridges the gap between outpatient therapy and inpatient care. During the day, patients receive focused, therapeutic care and support while returning home in the evenings.

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) typically occur most days of the week and sometimes every day. Unlike a “regular” therapy session that takes about an hour, each daily partial hospitalization “session” lasts several hours, usually four or more.

The added time involved in partial hospitalization enables patients to receive more in-depth treatment and support from a team of healthcare providers. Most programs include medication management, individual and group therapy, and activities designed to help patients develop better coping skills, learn stress management techniques, and improve social interaction.

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) uses a highly structured schedule similar to a school or work day. Having a predictable, standardized routine provides stability that helps patients feel more secure.

Ideal candidates for partial hospitalization

Partial hospitalization is ideal for anyone who needs more therapy and support than what’s available with traditional therapy sessions, but not enough to warrant hospitalization. PHP is often recommended for patients coming out of inpatient settings to help them transition to a less intense type of therapy.

Specifically, PHPs are good for anyone who:

• Needs intensive care, but not 24-hour supervision
• Is transitioning from an inpatient setting
• Is stabilizing after a period of intense symptoms
• Needs structured support to build coping skills
• Can benefit from daily oversight of medication or other therapies
• Has significant needs that can’t be met via outpatient therapy

In addition to providing continual medical support and therapy, PHPs help patients build behavioral and social skills while improving their self-esteem and self-confidence.

PHP is customized based on patients' needs and goals, such as any treatment. Our medical team works closely with other healthcare providers to ensure patients benefit from continuity of care that supports their needs every step of the way.

Find out more about partial hospitalization programs

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or substance use disorder, partial hospitalization could provide a path toward better health now and in the future. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Heyward and the team at Conduit Behavioral Health in Baltimore, Maryland, today.