Effective Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) for Adolescents, Teens, and Young Adults

PHPs have shown significant success in helping patients decrease the number of post-discharge hospitalizations as well as the total suicide risk for youth after discharge from a PHP, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Family involvement is key to a teen’s success in PHP. At Embark, we include family therapy as a core component, helping to strengthen family communication, address any conflicts, and build a supportive home environment. By participating in the healing process, families learn valuable skills to reinforce their teen’s progress, creating a lasting foundation for emotional health and resilience.

Young people are generally referred to PHPs when they are experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms that are difficult to manage but do not require 24-hour care. The goal of treatment is to stabilize the client and prevent or reduce inpatient hospitalization. 

Teens best suited for PHP typically have moderate to severe mental health needs, such as depression, anxiety, or self-harm behaviors, and require more intensive support than outpatient therapy can offer. PHP is ideal for those who can safely return home in the evenings and benefit from structured day treatment to help stabilize their mental health and develop healthier coping strategies.

Contact Our Team to Learn More About PHP Treatment Options

The goal of a Therapeutic Day Program (TDP) is to help young people grow and heal their relationships, and their internal wounds, and improve their self-worth, coping skills, and other vital elements that lead to a more joyful-filled life.

These programs help young people understand their emotional, mental, or behavioral health challenges, adjust to medication schedules, build coping skills, and set recovery goals that will enable them to live more fulfilling lives.

Upon completing PHP, Embark offers several aftercare options to support ongoing progress, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), outpatient therapy, and family support services. Our team works closely with families to create a personalized aftercare plan that ensures continuity of care, helping teens maintain the skills they’ve gained and continue their journey toward lasting wellness.

Parents are often put off by the phrase “partial hospitalization”. The term is mainly a vestige of the past when PHPs were attached to hospitals and existed primarily to serve adults. A preferred, and more appropriate, name for a PHP is a “Therapeutic Day Program” or School. Insurance companies still use the same definition for a robust therapeutic day program.

Teen and young adult day treatment takes place in a reassuring, non-institutional, comfortable environment where adolescents, teens, and young adults can receive non-judgmental therapy, engage in therapeutic activities, and work on schoolwork during the day.

Yes, at Embark, our Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) are tailored to meet the specific needs of teens and young adults struggling with a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. Our specialized PHPs provide focused, evidence-based therapies designed to help young people manage these conditions in a structured, supportive environment. With a blend of individual, group, and family therapy, we help build the tools they need to find relief and resilience while staying connected to family each evening.

Many types of young people can benefit from PHP. Some may need more comprehensive care after attending an IOP. Or they may be ready for less intensive care and a return to their home and families after a stay at an RTC.

No matter where your teen or young adult is in their healing journey, it’s important to have a thorough evaluation performed to determine what level of care is ideal for them. With that being said, PHPs are not appropriate for young people who have never received mental health care or treatment, or those who are actively risks to themselves or their communities.

Here’s a breakdown of Embark’s PHP intake and admissions process:

1. Initial Consultation: Start with a phone consultation where we’ll learn about your family’s needs and answer any questions about the program.
2. Comprehensive Assessment: Our team will conduct an assessment of your child’s mental health history, current challenges, and treatment goals to determine if PHP is the best fit.
3. Program Planning: Once PHP is confirmed as the right choice, we’ll work closely with you to establish a schedule that meets your family’s needs.
4. Insurance Coordination: Our team will walk you through the insurance process, helping you understand coverage and costs, so you can focus on supporting your child.
5. Seamless Transition: We ensure a smooth start to PHP, with a caring team ready to support your teen’s journey to healing every step of the way.

Each step is designed to make the process as supportive and easy as possible for your family.

Call our PHP Team to Begin Healing

A partial hospitalization program is a comprehensive, short-term treatment program. Each patient’s length of stay will depend upon the patient’s individual treatment needs – but typically lasts between 1 and 4 months.

Many clients will continue to “step down” in their level of care by going to a less restrictive option, such as an IOP or minimal outpatient sessions as they transition to support with their therapist. Continued support will help the client keep the gains they made during their PHP treatment.

PHPs for teens offer an academic enrichment program that focuses on executive functioning skills. Clinics have case management services that connect students with their school district to facilitate independent study and keep them current on their academic progress.

The cost of a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) with insurance can vary based on your specific plan and coverage. Many insurance providers cover some or all of the costs associated with PHPs, but factors like deductibles, co-pays, and network coverage can influence out-of-pocket expenses. Our team at Embark is here to help you understand your insurance benefits and work with you to make treatment as accessible and affordable as possible.

Please note Embark Behavioral Health does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Contact our Team to Find Out More About Insurance for PHPs

PHPs are more comprehensive than intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), but less so than residential treatment centers (RTCs), since clients still live at home with their families when they are not in the program. Students live at home with families when they are not at the program.

When it comes to IOP vs. PHP, PHPs provide a higher level of care for teens and young adults struggling with severe mental health conditions like suicidality or self-harm, with daily, intensive therapy sessions lasting several hours each day under close supervision. IOP, while still focused on healing, is more flexible, with fewer sessions each week, allowing teens and young adults to balance therapy with school and other daily activities.