Partial hospitalization programs, which are commonly referred to as PHP, provide the most intensive level of non-residential, non-inpatient care that is available within the Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare network of treatment programs. Individuals who have been struggling with substance abuse and addiction, mental health disorders, and/or behavioral health disorders may benefit from PHP services.
Care at the PHP level is designed for individuals who meet one of the two following criteria:
- People who have completed inpatient or residential treatment for a mental health, behavioral health, and or substance use disorder and can benefit from a structured level of step-down support as they transition to a more independent lifestyle.
- People whose mental, behavioral, or substance-related needs do not rise to the level that requires the intensive nature of treatment that is provided at the inpatient and residential levels.
Treatment modalities that are often employed at the PHP level of care at centers throughout the Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare network may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
In order to participate in PHP, individuals must have achieved the degree of stability that will allow them to fully engage in all therapeutic interventions, and must not have physical or psychological needs that require round-the-clock care. Because PHP does not typically include a residential component, participants must also be capable of living independently, or must have secured other housing arrangements. Transportation to and from PHP may or may not be provided by the program.
At some programs within the Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare network, completion of an inpatient or residential program is a prerequisite for admission into PHP. At other Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare programs, prior completion of inpatient or residential care is a requirement for those who wish to receive services at the PHP level. As always, please consult directly with the program or programs that you are considering in order to confirm the type and level of services that you are eligible to receive.
As is the case at all levels of care in all Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare centers, PHP treatment is a personalized experience that is designed to meet the specific strengths, needs, and treatment goals of each participant. Prior to being admitting into a PHP, individuals will either undergo a thorough psychosocial assessment or will provide documentation of the assessment that was completed at the inpatient or residential program that they completed prior to transitioning into PHP. This ensures that the treatment professionals at the PHP have the information that they need to develop the personalized plan that will guide the individual’s progress throughout his or her time in PHP.
Depending upon the needs of each participant, his or her time in PHP at an Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare center may feature the following elements:
Medication management: Many people who are dealing with mental health or behavioral health disorders benefit from the incorporation of certain prescription psychotropic medications into their treatment plans. When a PHP participant has been prescribed medication, he or she may meet with a psychiatrist and/or nursing staff members for medication management services during his or her time in PHP.
Group therapy: At most PHP centers, group therapy is the foundational element of treatment. PHP typically features multiple group therapy sessions each treatment day. Led by a counselor, therapist, or other appropriate professional, group therapy provides individuals with the opportunity to share their insights, learn from the experiences of others, and give and receive support with individuals who are dealing with similar challenges. Group therapy sessions also provide safe and structured environments in which individuals can practice productive interpersonal communication and work on other skills that may be essential to their continued recovery.
Individual therapy: One-on-one interactions between individuals in treatment and therapists or counselors provide opportunities for individuals to process successes and setbacks in their recovery, address issues or concerns that they may be hesitant or unwilling to bring up in a group setting, and receive focused feedback from an experienced professional. Some PHP centers provide regularly scheduled individual sessions, while at other locations such sessions are scheduled on an as-needed basis.
Family sessions: The impact of mental illness, behavioral health disorders, and problems with substance abuse and addiction is rarely limited to the afflicted individual. Family members and close friends are often affected by their loved one’s struggles, and can often play important roles in his or her recovery. Family therapy and other family support sessions can help to heal intrafamilial wounds and can help family members learn how to provide the most effective support to their loved ones. As with individual therapy, the scheduling of family sessions may vary from location to location at PHP centers in the Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare network.
PHP participants will also work with staff members at the program where they are receiving care to develop comprehensive discharge and/or continuing care plans. These plans ensure that when the individual has completed his or her time in PHP, he or she will leave with a thorough plan that identifies the professional referrals and other resources that will support his or her continued recovery.
To learn more about treatment at the PHP level, or to get answers to any questions that you may have about any aspect of treatment within the Cardinal Behavioral Healthcare network, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to helping you make the most informed decision for yourself or for a loved one.