“Hospitalization” sounds like a pretty harsh word to use for virtual mental health treatment you receive from your couch at home. A Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program (vPHP) is essentially a telehealth day treatment program. It’s not only for people who have conditions you might think of as more “serious.” If you have depression or anxiety symptoms that make it hard to function on a daily basis, you may be a good candidate for Virtual PHP. 

Isn’t that just online therapy? Why call it hospitalization? Not exactly, and the main reason is the amount of care you receive: at least 20 hours a week. Online therapy is typically limited to about an hour a week, and you only work with one therapist. With vPHP, you receive group treatments, family therapy, and medication management, if necessary. However, there are no nurses checking in on you throughout the day, and you also get to sleep in your own bed at night. 

What virtual PHP is 

Virtual PHP is a structured, intensive mental health treatment program that you access via telehealth. It’s the highest level of care you can receive from home. At Lightfully, vPHP includes individual, group, and family therapy sessions, which all play unique roles in your healing journey. If you need medication, you’ll meet with a psychiatrist once a week. You may message your care providers between sessions, and you’ll work with your care team to develop a crisis plan.

To participate, you’ll need reliable internet service and a device with a camera and a microphone. We ask that clients in the Lightfully vPHP find a quiet spot in their home where distractions will be limited. We encourage people to stay on camera for the best treatment experience, and our clinicians do a great job of making sessions engaging and interactive. 

Here’s a breakdown of everything that’s included with Virtual PHP at Lightfully:

• 20 hours of clinical services per week
• One weekly primary therapy session
• Weekly psychiatry session for medication management (if needed)
• Biweekly family therapy session
• At least four hours per day of group sessions
• Programming five days a week

What Virtual PHP isn’t 

Virtual PHP isn’t suitable for all mental health conditions or severity levels. It’s not the same thing as outpatient therapy, which is usually limited to weekly one-hour therapy sessions. It’s also not a replacement for higher levels of care, such as inpatient hospitalization or Residential Treatment, when needed. 

While Virtual PHP helps eliminate geographic barriers, you can’t access treatment from anywhere. Because of legal requirements, you must be physically located in the same state your provider is licensed in at the time of your session. You don’t have to be a resident; you just have to be physically in the state. You also can’t receive telehealth care while driving. Lightfully only offers Virtual PHP in the State of California. 

Who benefits from Virtual PHP

In general, people who have mental health symptoms that limit their ability to function but aren’t in an acute crisis can benefit from Virtual PHP. Telehealth may not be the best choice for people experiencing certain severe conditions. The decision should always be made on an individual basis. 

Aside from clinical considerations, the client’s location, their mobility, other health conditions, their safety, and their home environment may influence whether virtual treatment is a safe and effective choice. People who live in rural areas or otherwise might have a hard time getting to in-person treatment every day may benefit from vPHP. Virtual PHP also makes treatment more accessible for people who have other responsibilities, such as work or caregiving. 

At Lightfully, we’ve helped clients with many different conditions achieve lasting results through vPHP. It may be especially helpful for people with anxiety or depression symptoms that limit their ability to leave the home. 

Here are some conditions that may be treatable via Virtual PHP:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Complex trauma
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Personality disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Prolonged grief disorder (complicated grief)
• Self-harm behaviors

We’re here to help you see if Virtual PHP is right for you

If you’re considering Virtual PHP, you’ve already taken a big step by seeking out more information. Navigating mental health care when you’re not feeling your best is challenging, to say the least. Finding providers you trust, who have the appropriate experience, and determining what level of care you need are critical parts of the process. 

After learning about your options online, the next step is to reach out and schedule a phone assessment with Lightfully. In a follow-up appointment, you’ll learn more about your condition and your treatment options. This is when you’ll narrow down what level of care you need and receive specific recommendations. 

Are you ready to try a different approach to mental health care? Let’s talk about Virtual PHP. Contact us with questions or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.