Many parents don’t know there are options between individual therapy and inpatient (or residential) treatment for teens and adolescents experiencing a mental health challenge. When a young person is struggling with symptoms of depression, anxiety, or behavior disorders, putting their schoolwork and other activities on hold isn’t always best. The transition from around-the-clock care back to full days at school can be jarring. They need a step in between weekly one-on-one therapy and full-time care that provides adequate support while helping them adjust back to life as usual.

That’s exactly what partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are for. These programs offer intensive mental health treatment while allowing patients the independence to stay in their own homes at night and rest over the weekend. This article provides an introduction to partial hospitalization programs for teens and adolescents.

What is a partial hospitalization program?

A partial hospitalization program is a type of structured outpatient program that provides several hours of mental health treatment per day, five days a week. A PHP is often a good fit for people who are mostly stable but having a hard time coping with their emotions and functioning in their daily lives. It offers comprehensive treatment, and patients are able to go home at night instead of staying in an inpatient setting. Most programs involve both individual, group and family therapy as well as medication management. 

What is partial hospitalization like in a youth program?

Adolescent and teen partial hospitalization programs create a safe environment for young people to focus on their mental well-being. Highly personalized care is critical for children who are struggling with their mental health. At Embrace U, we create an individualized treatment plan for each patient in our programs. Patients in a PHP spend a lot of time with their individual therapist and in group sessions with their peers. During family therapy sessions, we help caregivers, siblings and other immediate family members learn about their loved one’s condition and their roles in supporting them. Our PHP sessions start at 12:30 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. every weekday. 

Our teen partial hospitalization program includes the following components:

• personalized treatment plan
• individual therapy
• positive peer interactions during group therapies
• family therapy sessions
• positive coping and emotional regulation skills
• education about the brain, nervous system and mental health topics
• medication management
• time for schoolwork and educational support

What are the benefits of a teen or adolescent partial hospitalization program?

A PHP offers a unique opportunity for adolescents and teens to receive several different treatments and medication management without staying in a hospital. The peer group format comes with some unique benefits as well. The average child or adolescent treated by group treatment is better off than 73% of those in control groups, according to a landmark meta-analysis of 56 studies. Group therapy sessions help young people feel less alone during their treatment process. They also allow patients to hear from peers who are working on their own mental health and feel seen and heard by others their age who understand what they’re going through. Because they see a high volume of patients, many PHP clinics are able to accept insurance, too. 

Patients and their families enjoy the following benefits in our teen partial hospitalization program:

• alternative to inpatient hospitalization or a way to shorten your child’s hospital stay
• therapists present to monitor and address behavioral issues
• prevent or recover from a mental health crisis
• clear communication and progress updates from your child’s clinicians
• restoration of your teen’s ability to function
• support through the transition back to school and community life

Explore partial hospitalization and other alternatives to inpatient treatment at Embrace U

Partial hospitalization creates a balance between familiar home environments and intensive mental healthcare that is helpful for many young people. It’s important to find a program that offers support for the rest of the family, too. That way, you’ll be able to help your child stay well long after their treatment is over. In addition to family therapy sessions, we offer a Parent U program where caregivers can learn about mental health topics and ask questions. 

The licensed clinicians on our team have a lot of compassion for adolescents and teens and experience working with these age groups. We’ve worked hard to make Embrace U a welcoming and safe place for young people to focus on their mental well-being.

Are you considering treatment options for your child right now? Contact our team with any questions. Give us a call or schedule an initial appointment today.