What to Expect in a Partial Hospitalization Program

When struggling with mental health issues or substance use, finding the right level of care is crucial to recovery. Some individuals require intensive, structured support—but may not need inpatient hospitalization. That’s where a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) comes in.

At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, our Partial Hospitalization Program in Massachusetts bridges the gap between inpatient care and outpatient therapy. It offers a high level of clinical care in a flexible, non-residential setting.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through:

What a PHP is
Who benefits from it
What your day will look like
What therapies are included
How PHP supports long-term recovery

What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a short-term, intensive treatment program designed for individuals who need structured mental health or addiction support, but don’t require 24-hour supervision. Clients typically attend the program 5 to 6 days per week for 5–6 hours each day, returning home in the evening.

PHP provides the same level of care as inpatient programs—including medical supervision, psychiatric care, and therapy—but in a more flexible format. It’s ideal for people who:

Are stepping down from inpatient treatment
Need more support than traditional outpatient therapy
Are medically and psychologically stable, but still require daily structure

Who Should Consider PHP?

PHP is an excellent fit for individuals experiencing:

Severe anxiety, panic attacks, or mood swings
Depression that interferes with daily functioning
PTSD and complex trauma symptoms
Substance use disorders or relapse risk
Emotional dysregulation or suicidal ideation
Dual diagnosis (mental health + addiction)

If you’ve tried weekly therapy but still feel overwhelmed, or you’re leaving residential care and need continued support, PHP may be the next best step.

At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, PHP services are integrated across our:

What to Expect in a Day at PHP

Your day in PHP is structured, supportive, and focused on healing. A typical schedule may include:

1. Morning Check-In and Goal Setting

Review progress with staff and peers
Set personal goals for the day
Discuss mood, triggers, or concerns

2. Group Therapy Sessions

Led by licensed clinicians, these sessions focus on:

Emotional regulation
Stress and anxiety management
Trauma recovery
Building coping skills and boundaries
Peer support and accountability

3. Individual Therapy

You’ll meet with a dedicated therapist to work through:

Trauma and unresolved emotions
Negative thought patterns and behaviors
Relapse triggers or self-destructive cycles
Personal growth and goal setting

4. Psychiatric Care & Medication Management

Clients meet with a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner to:

Evaluate and manage medication needs
Monitor symptoms and side effects
Adjust treatment plans as needed

5. Skills-Based Workshops

Interactive sessions focus on:

Mindfulness and grounding techniques
Distress tolerance (DBT skills)
Relapse prevention strategies
Communication and relationship building

6. Family Therapy or Psychoeducation (as needed)

Families are engaged in the healing process through:

Therapy sessions with loved ones
Education about conditions, treatment, and recovery
Support building healthy dynamics and boundaries

Types of Therapy Used in PHP

At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, our PHP uses evidence-based therapies, tailored to each client’s needs:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps clients identify and reframe negative thoughts and behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: For individuals processing PTSD, complex trauma, and grief.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Encourages readiness for change in addiction and mental health treatment.
Holistic Therapies: Including meditation, journaling, grounding exercises, and life skills development.

PHP vs. IOP – What’s the Difference?

While both PHP and IOP offer structured outpatient care, PHP provides a higher level of intensity and support.

Feature	PHP	IOP
Treatment Hours	5–6 hours/day, 5–6 days/week	3–4 hours/day, 3–5 days/week
Medical Supervision	Daily access to psychiatrist or nurse	Less frequent medication management
Ideal For	Clients stepping down from inpatient or at risk of relapse	Clients needing structure but more independence
Intensity	High	Moderate
Flexibility	Moderate	High

If you’re unsure which program is right for you, our team offers comprehensive clinical assessments to guide your next steps.

The Role of Family and Social Support in PHP

At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, we recognize that healing from mental health challenges, trauma, or addiction is rarely a solo journey. While the focus of our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is on the individual’s personal growth, the involvement of family and close social networks is often vital to creating lasting change.

Trauma, mental illness, and substance use frequently impact the entire family system—not just the person receiving treatment. That’s why we integrate family education, therapy, and collaborative planning into our PHP model, ensuring that the support network surrounding our clients is informed, empowered, and aligned with their recovery goals.

Family Therapy: Rebuilding Healthy Foundations

Family therapy is a powerful component of our PHP services. Guided by experienced clinicians, these sessions are designed to:

Rebuild trust that may have been eroded by past conflicts or symptoms of mental health struggles
Improve family communication by teaching active listening, non-defensive conversation, and emotional validation skills
Help loved ones learn to support recovery efforts without enabling unhealthy behaviors
Establish clear and healthy boundaries that protect both the individual and the family unit

Rather than focusing on assigning blame, family therapy sessions at Lion Heart are future-focused, aiming to create new patterns of understanding and support.

Psychoeducation: Equipping Families for the Journey

Healing is easier when everyone understands what recovery truly involves. That’s why we offer psychoeducational sessions for families covering topics like:

Understanding diagnoses like PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders
Recognizing signs of relapse or emotional distress
Learning what healthy recovery support looks like (and what it doesn’t)
Coping strategies for caregivers and loved ones
Navigating emotional triggers without falling into old patterns

Educating families helps dispel myths, reduce stigma, and build a support system rooted in knowledge rather than fear.

Creating a Supportive Home Environment

Recovery doesn’t end when the therapy day ends. Creating a nurturing, stable home environment between PHP sessions is crucial. We guide families on:

Setting realistic expectations for the client’s emotional and functional progress
Encouraging healthy routines (meals, sleep, exercise)
Practicing patience during emotional ups and downs
Balancing support with personal responsibility for healing

A supportive home acts as a bridge between intensive treatment and sustainable daily life, reinforcing the coping skills and strategies learned during PHP.

The Importance of Boundaries and Clear Communication

During recovery, both clients and families must learn the value of boundary setting. Boundaries protect emotional health, prevent codependent dynamics, and foster independence. We help clients and families:

Define clear roles and expectations
Express needs and limits respectfully
Respect each other’s emotional space and autonomy
Rebuild trust through consistent, healthy communication

Setting these boundaries early in PHP improves treatment outcomes and helps prevent crises after discharge.

How Lion Heart Behavioral Health Includes Loved Ones

We involve families in the recovery process thoughtfully and ethically, always honoring the client’s consent and autonomy. Family involvement may include:

Joint treatment planning sessions
Regular family updates (with client approval)
Participation in psychoeducation and support groups
Collaboration on discharge and aftercare planning

When families are empowered, clients are empowered—and recovery becomes a shared victory.

Transitioning Out of PHP – What Comes Next?

Completing a Partial Hospitalization Program is a profound achievement. It marks a time of significant healing, growth, and commitment to change. But at Lion Heart Behavioral Health, we know that sustainable recovery is a journey, not a single destination. That’s why the transition out of PHP is not an end—it’s the next phase of empowerment.

Step-Down Options: Continuing the Progress

Recovery is most successful when levels of care are gradually adjusted based on the client’s needs. At Lion Heart, we provide seamless transitions into:

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Offering 9–15 hours of therapy per week, IOP allows clients to practice new skills while maintaining support as they re-engage with work, school, or family life.
Outpatient Program Massachusetts: Providing weekly or biweekly therapy, psychiatric follow-up, and ongoing support for long-term maintenance of mental health.

By stepping down into a less intensive program, clients maintain momentum without feeling overwhelmed.

Aftercare Planning: A Personalized Pathway

Before completing PHP, every client works closely with their clinical team to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan. This individualized plan may include:

Scheduled therapy sessions
Medication management follow-ups
Support groups, such as 12-Step programs, SMART Recovery, or alumni networks
Relapse prevention strategies and coping toolkits
Employment, education, or housing support if needed

Aftercare planning starts early in the PHP process, ensuring clients and their families feel prepared—not abandoned—when the time comes to move forward.

Tools for Maintaining Progress Post-Treatment

We equip every client with practical tools that extend beyond therapy sessions, such as:

Relapse prevention plans customized for emotional, behavioral, and environmental triggers
Mindfulness and stress reduction exercises for daily use
Healthy lifestyle guidance (nutrition, exercise, sleep hygiene)
Emotion regulation techniques from DBT and CBT models
Crisis planning for early intervention if new challenges arise

These tools create self-efficacy and resilience, ensuring that clients feel capable, supported, and ready to navigate life beyond PHP.

Alumni Engagement and Long-Term Connection

Recovery is a lifelong journey—and staying connected helps maintain progress. Lion Heart Behavioral Health encourages continued involvement through:

Alumni check-ins and events
Peer support opportunities
Referrals to ongoing therapy, specialized groups, or sober living communities when appropriate

Maintaining a network of support reduces isolation and increases long-term success, giving our graduates the strength to thrive well beyond discharge.

How PHP Supports Long-Term Recovery

PHP is not just about stabilizing symptoms—it’s about preparing you to thrive beyond treatment. Here’s how PHP at Lion Heart helps support lasting success:

Daily support keeps momentum going
Therapeutic consistency reinforces coping skills
Safe peer environment fosters connection and reduces isolation
Holistic healing addresses emotional, physical, and social health
Aftercare planning ensures a smooth transition to IOP or outpatient therapy

Most importantly, PHP gives you the time and space to focus fully on recovery, without distractions or pressure to “just get better.”

Why Choose Lion Heart Behavioral Health?

Choosing the right treatment provider can make all the difference. At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, our Partial Hospitalization Program in Massachusetts offers:

A licensed and accredited Behavioral Health Treatment Center Massachusetts
Trauma-informed, evidence-based therapies
Compassionate clinicians with deep expertise in dual diagnosis
A warm, structured environment where healing can happen
Full integration with IOP, outpatient, and aftercare programs
Personalized support for each phase of your journey

Conclusion

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health symptoms, trauma, or addiction, a Partial Hospitalization Program offers the structure, safety, and care needed to regain control—and start moving forward.

At Lion Heart Behavioral Health, we’re here to support you with personalized, compassionate care designed to meet you exactly where you are.

Call us at 774-228-4112 today to schedule a confidential assessment and learn more about whether PHP is the right fit for your recovery. Your path to healing begins here. Let us help you take the next step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?

A PHP is a structured, intensive treatment program that provides comprehensive care for individuals struggling with mental health or addiction—without requiring overnight stays.

How many hours a day is PHP?

PHP typically runs 5 to 6 hours per day, 5 to 6 days per week, offering therapy, medication management, group sessions, and support in a flexible outpatient format.

Who is PHP best suited for?

PHP is ideal for individuals:

Stepping down from inpatient care
Experiencing moderate to severe symptoms
At risk of hospitalization or relapse
Needing daily support but stable enough to live at home

What kinds of therapy are included in PHP?

PHP at Lion Heart Behavioral Health includes:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Trauma therapy
Group therapy
Psychiatric care and medication management

Is PHP covered by insurance?

Yes. Many insurance providers cover PHP as part of behavioral health benefits. Call 774-228-4112 and our admissions team will help verify your coverage.

What happens after completing PHP?

After PHP, clients often step down to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or Outpatient Program Massachusetts, maintaining support while regaining daily independence.

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