January 10, 2022
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an outpatient program that helps you get better without hospital confinement. Learn more about PHP here.
We’ve seen specialized treatments emerge through the years that ultimately helped patients with mental disorders find relief. For instance, psychotherapy has proven most helpful in treating patients with depression, general anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and phobias. On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapy has helped patients with substance abuse disorders, sleeping disorders, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more.
Another effective treatment available today is the partial hospitalization program (PHP). This program is an alternative to a 24/7 in-patient treatment program in a hospital setting. If the aforementioned treatments are not doing you or your loved one much good, perhaps it’s time to consider PHP.
But first, let’s learn more about PHP, how it works, when needed, and how to find the best facility for you.
A partial hospitalization program or PHP is a mental health treatment program that treats patients in a hospital set up during the day but lets them go home at night. It is a structured program that follows a series of activities like one-on-one therapies and skill-building sessions. In other words, PHP is an outpatient program.
This type of treatment requires you to attend a whole day session that usually runs from four to six hours a day, five days a week. The treatment may last for a week at the minimum or more than that, depending on your needs. Hence, this means that you can’t carry out a day job when undergoing PHP, unlike other outpatient treatment programs. Still, it is a better alternative if you don’t want confinement in a psychiatric facility.
A partial hospitalization program is a great alternative for an in-patient program, though it is a slightly more demanding outpatient program. While you can return home after the treatment every day, PHP will put you on a daily routine.
So, do you need PHP? The simple answer is it depends. It is not an immediately recommended treatment. Everything will depend on the evaluation of a board-certified psychiatrist.
But to keep it simple, you might undergo PHP treatments if your condition doesn’t require in-patient care and your condition does not constitute a threat to yourself or the people around you. This means that your condition is not leading to suicidal tendencies, or at a high risk of relapse for substance abuse.
Since PHP is a very structured program, patients usually follow a series of activities prescribed by their mental health provider. As a patient, you need to follow a schedule. Activities will vary depending on your mental health recovery needs. Sometimes it might even involve interacting with other patients.
Here are some typical activities in a PHP program:
Finding the right mental health facility for PHP can be challenging, especially if this is your first time seeking this type of treatment. Given that there are different factors to consider, you’ll need to know what to prioritize and make an informed decision. To help you with this, here are some tips that can help guide your decision-making:
For anything medical, always consult with your health insurance company. That’s the golden rule here. Mental health treatments can be expensive, so you might need support from your insurance provider. Fortunately, insurance companies in the US include mental health as part of covered services. The only catch is that they only have limited accredited providers. Hence, before visiting clinics, contact your insurance provider and ask for their accredited providers. You’ll save time this way.
If this is your first time in anything mental health-related treatment, you can contact mental health support lines to give you resources for your needs. In the US, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a non-government organization advocating for mental health. You can visit their website or call their hotlines to access resources regarding mental health and mental health services. NAMI can also help you get access to financial aid if you can’t sponsor your treatment.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an outpatient program, so you need to live near the facility. Ideally, try looking for a facility less than five or three miles away from your home. Given that this treatment will be daily, you must bring a car or ask someone to drop and fetch you every day. However, you can also, if you prefer, ride public transportation.
Facilities have different offerings for PHP. Some facilities offer transportation services as part of the fee you pay. That would be a great option if your house is far and you don’t have a car. Moreover, check if the facility offers free meals or an in-house cafeteria. If meals aren’t free, evaluate if the price is reasonable because you’ll be the one paying for your meals.
Aside from that, observe the facility itself. Are the surroundings conducive for recovery? Is it clean and peaceful? Are the staff hospitable? More so, you can check online reviews to see the comments of people who tried their services.
Entering a partial hospitalization treatment program is a step down from in-patient treatments but a step up in outpatient programs. It requires you to follow a daily routine for your mental health recovery. It is a great treatment option if you don’t want 24-hour care and monitoring.
Getting better with PHP is possible with Another Chance Drug & Alcohol Rehab of Portland. We are a team of multi-disciplinary mental health professionals that offer in-patient and outpatient services to patients with different mental health needs. At Another Chance, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to heal and take back control of their lives. Take your next step to recovery today.
Contact us at (971) 351-0914 or fill out our contact form to schedule a quick consultation.
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