What Is a PHP?

PHP stands for partial hospitalization program. It is a form of outpatient care, because you won’t be living at the center where you’re receiving treatment, but it shares many similarities with residential programming.

Most PHPs are in session six to eight hours per day, five or six days per week. In the evenings and on non-treatment days, you can spend time at home or in an alternative supported residence.

Every reputable PHP makes admissions decisions on a case-by-case basis following a thorough review of each prospective client’s history and needs. But in general this level of care is designed to serve people who meet criteria such as:

Experiencing severe symptoms that are best addressed via full days of treatment, but aren’t severe enough to warrant round-the-clock care and supervision.

Have completed an inpatient or residential program, but can benefit from step-down support to help them strengthen their skills and prepare for a successful transition out of treatment.

Have taken part in outpatient therapy or been in an intensive outpatient program (IOP), but discovered that those levels of care didn’t provide the structure and support they needed.

Can take time away from school, work, and other responsibilities in order to attend treatment.

What Happens in PHP for Depression?

A typical day in a PHP for depression involves a variety of therapies as well as meals and/or snacks and time to relax and reflect. The specifics of the schedule can be influenced by a range of factors, including your needs, the areas of expertise of the program’s staff, and the treatment philosophy of the center where you’re receiving care.

With these caveats in mind, common features of treatment at the PHP level include:

Individual therapy – Confidential one-on-one conversations with a licensed therapist can be ideal opportunities to process your experiences, discuss issues that you’re hesitant to bring up in a group environment, and receive focused feedback and guidance.

Group therapy – Group sessions led by a trained professional can help you discover the benefits of sharing support with others who have also been dealing with depression. Some groups focus on specific topics, such as coping skills, anger management, and self-soothing techniques. Others provide a supportive forum for participants to talk about issues and challenges that have contributed to or been affected by their mental health struggles.

Family therapy – Family sessions are a special type of group therapy where all participants have a close connection to each other. This type of therapy can help loved ones better understand the disease of depression and the treatment process. Family therapists can also help participants resolve conflicts and learn how to better support each other.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Frequently identified as “the gold standard” for depression treatment, CBT focuses on the interconnectedness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) – An offshoot of CBT, dialectical behavior therapy can help you improve your abilities in four key areas: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness

Expressive arts therapy – This type of therapy can include a range of dynamic activities, such as drawing, painting, and playing or listening to music. Arts therapy can help you discover new ways of managing stress and expressing your emotions.

Holistic therapies – Yoga, meditation, and similar activities can ease stress and tension while also promoting a healthy mind-body connection.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) – This approach is designed to eliminate the emotional distress that arises when you recall certain traumatic memories. EMDR and other trauma therapies can be vital for individuals whose depression is related to traumatic experiences from childhood or later in life.

Benefits of PHP for Depression

The specific benefits that you receive from spending time in a PHP for depression will depend on your unique needs, goals, and expectations. But speaking generally, three common benefits of taking part in treatment at this level are:

Structure – Low energy and lack of motivation are core challenges for many people with depression. These and other symptoms can make it difficult for people to even get out of bed some days, much less be productive. When you’re in a PHP for depression, you will be following a structured daily schedule that includes a variety of healthy and productive activities.

Connection – Depression can also cause you to isolate yourself from others due to the mistaken belief that no one can understand what you’re going through, or the incorrect assumption that even those who care most about you won’t want to be around you. Throughout your time in PHP, you will be interacting with people who know how difficult it can be to live with untreated depression, and who are committed to helping you reconnect with the best version of yourself.

Hope – When you enter a PHP for depression, you will see that you’re not alone. As you learn more about the condition, you will understand that having a depressive disorder doesn’t make you an inherently flawed person. And as you learn to manage your symptoms and begin to regain control of your thoughts and emotions, you will realize that you are capable of so much more than you may have once believed.

Learn More About PHP for Depression in Georgia

Time Wellness Georgia is a trusted provider of personalized outpatient care for individuals with depression, other mental health concerns, and co-occurring addictions.

In addition to our PHP and IOP for adults, we also offer an evening IOP for adolescents and virtual (online) treatment. A member of our team will be happy to discuss the features and benefits of these options with you, so that you can make the most informed decision about your care.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.