Taking the next step to treat your mental health can be a challenge, especially when there are many options to choose from. Your options might range from outpatient appointments with a professional to a period of full-time inpatient treatment. A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is one option on the spectrum between weekly outpatient therapy and full-time inpatient care. Another option for comprehensive care outside of an inpatient setting is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).

Finding an adult Partial Hospitalization Program near you may be easier than you think. Lightfully offers Virtual PHP and other treatment options for California residents, both in person and online. In this article, we’ll explain what a PHP involves and five signs that you may be ready to participate. 

Learn the basics about PHP treatment

A PHP includes intensive treatment during the daytime, much like inpatient treatment does. However, at Lightfully, treatment lasts for six or seven hours, and clients return home afterward, maintaining their regular routines. Additionally, they stay at home instead of moving into a residential facility, so they can maintain their familiar routines and lifestyle.

Lightfully’s virtual PHP includes:

• Four clinician-led group sessions per day
• One weekly family therapy session
• Two individual therapy sessions per week
• One psychiatric session per week
  One combined treatment team meeting every other week

Our team treats trauma-related disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and mood disorders. Mood disorders include bipolar I and II, major depressive disorder and other mental health conditions. We also support individuals experiencing suicidality and self-harming behaviors.

We use our Precision Care Model (PCM) as the basis for all treatment. Through the PCM, we see mental health conditions as the outcomes of core processes. These core processes are interconnected facets of the human experience, like behavior and cognition. We also look at core drivers of mental health conditions, including difficulties with emotions and relationships.

Now that you know a little more about our PHP, you might wonder when it’s time to consider participating. You may be ready to take the next step if:

1. Your current treatment isn’t providing the progress you need

If you’re participating in psychological care, psychiatric care or both, you should be feeling some relief from your mental health symptoms. If you’re feeling the same, or even feeling worse, you may need a higher level of care.

You may need support as you go through changes in medication or therapy to find what may be more effective for you. A PHP’s therapeutic and psychiatric care may help you make progress.

2. Your outpatient treatment provider has recommended a Virtual PHP

A therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist may have recommended stepping up to a PHP for more structured support. They might have recommended a PHP for several reasons, such as an increase in severity or frequency of your symptoms, a need for more support or an observation that a PHP has helped patients like you.

A virtual PHP, instead of a program that meets in person, may help you overcome barriers of accessibility.

3. Your inpatient treatment has reached an end

If you have attended a full-time inpatient program, you may be looking for a more gradual transition to life outside of the program. Participating in a Virtual PHP allows you to take one step down in treatment with support, continuous treatment and group meetings. A PHP’s family meetings may help you ease back into family life or address relationship difficulties.

4. You’re thinking about treatment in a group setting

Group treatment allows you to connect with others facing similar challenges and make progress under professional guidance. You could learn from each other, support one another and make progress under a clinician’s guidance. A Virtual PHP offers the opportunity to do this without a daily trip to and from treatment, so you can take part in group treatment at home.

5. You’re comfortable with nights at home but need care during the day

Maybe your symptoms are overwhelming at times, but you’re still comfortable staying at home. Perhaps you find comfort at home or you have a routine that supports your mental well-being. However, you may be struggling with symptoms of a mental health condition that require a high level of support. A PHP combines the independence of outpatient care with the structure and intensity of inpatient treatment.

Are you thinking about taking the next step?

When the time comes to move forward in treatment, you might feel empowered to reach out to a Virtual PHP provider. Lightfully offers a Virtual PHP for California residents. We accept many types of insurance. We’re here to answer any questions about Virtual PHP care, and we want to help you improve your mental health.

When you’re ready to take the next step, reach out. We’re here to take it with you. Contact our team today to step into a fuller, brighter version of you.