The Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program is an outpatient service offering a safe environment for assessment and treatment of mental health issues for 12-18 year-olds having behavioral or emotional difficulties.
The program provides assessment, crisis stabilization and treatment for individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis, emotional difficulties or maladaptive behaviors. Treatment includes a psychiatric evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist, medication management, individual, group and family therapy, occupational therapy, nursing management and academics.
Partial hospitalization may be utilized to prevent an inpatient admission, or as a step-down from inpatient or residential treatment. Access to inpatient psychiatric unit is available if necessary. The adolescent remains at home and in the community while participating in daily treatment. Certified teachers provide for academics in conjunction with the adolescent’s school.
Who Do Partial Hospitalization Programs Serve?
Partial hospitalization programs for teens are designed for adolescents who are experiencing increased symptoms or disturbances in behavior. Or they might be struggling with other conditions that negatively impact their mental or behavioral health.
However, some issues require inpatient or residential care. Thus, it’s important that a PHP is able to safely serve the teen’s needs. Therefore, an adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program is not appropriate for teens who pose an immediate risk to themselves or others.
Hence, PHP program services include a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. In addition, they focus on preventing relapse, hospitalization, or incarceration. Such a program functions as
- An alternative to inpatient care
- Transitional care following an inpatient stay
- Follow-up after residential treatment.