A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a safe, structured program in which teens receive full-day therapeutic and academic support while spending nights and weekends at home with their families. PHP is ideal for those who need more intensive care than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require the full-time care of a residential treatment center. The program addresses a range of issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and substance use, helping teens regain a sense of meaning and purpose.
Who Benefits from PHP
PHP is appropriate for teens recently discharged from inpatient or residential programs, those in need of additional support not provided at the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) level of care, or those struggling with ongoing mental health and substance use issues. Teens typically benefit most from PHP when they experience considerable functional difficulties at home, school, or work yet are medically stable and not at immediate risk of harming themselves or others. Red flags suggesting a teen could benefit include significant mood changes, withdrawal from activities, decline in academic performance, disruption in sleep patterns, significant changes in appetite or weight, increased anxiety or panic attacks, risky behavior, self-harm or suicidal thoughts, difficulty maintaining relationships, neglect of self-care, behavioral changes, unexplained physical symptoms, and negative self-talk.
Program Structure and Treatment Components
Newport’s PHP operates 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, offering 4 hours of clinical and up to 4 hours of academic programming each day. Treatment includes weekly sessions with a psychiatrist for medication management, personalized individual therapy with licensed clinicians, process-oriented and skills-based group therapy incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)-informed skills, and weekly family therapy using the Attachment-Based Family Therapy model. Additional components include Adventure Therapy with paddleboarding, hiking, rock climbing, and ropes courses, and experiential therapy such as art and music therapy and yoga.
Academic Integration and Clinical Model
Academic progress and improved well-being are integrated, with teens receiving individualized academic support and exploring their strengths while developing organizational and executive-functioning skills. The program weaves educational and clinical work together, helping teens close proficiency gaps and providing credit recovery options. A multidisciplinary team including medical doctors, nurses, therapists, and academic teachers works collaboratively to address each teen’s physical, mental, emotional, relational, and educational needs.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.newportacademy.com/programs/outpatient/php/