Millions of people struggle with mental health conditions in the United States. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
Suffering from daily mental health symptoms like sadness, lack of motivation, intense anxiety, or mood swings can make it difficult to cope with daily life. Seemingly normal tasks become unbearable when you are dealing with untreated mental health symptoms. Thankfully, mental health treatment programs can provide you with the tools and support you need to fully recover.
If you are thinking about attending outpatient mental health treatment, you need to decide what level of care is right for you. The two best types of outpatient care are called partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). PHPs tend to offer a higher level of care, while IOPs are better designed for people who need to continue working while they recover.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a mental health PHP?
- What is a mental health IOP?
- Is PHP or IOP right for you?
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
Partial hospitalization programs are the highest level of outpatient care for mental health conditions. They offer many of the same services as inpatient treatment while allowing you to return home each day. For example, PHPs offer individual therapy, group counseling, medication management, and more.
During a PHP, you’ll attend treatment sessions for 3 to 5 days per week for several hours each day. Usually, the time commitment you are making is similar to a full-time job. While you will have a fair amount of free time, it can be difficult to continue working a job during PHP treatment.
If you want to live in the comfort of your own home while receiving intensive mental health care, a partial hospitalization program might be right for you. PHPs can treat a wide range of mental health conditions, whether you have severe, moderate, or mild symptoms.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
Intensive outpatient programs are considered one step down from PHPs. While they still offer intensive mental health treatment, they provide less structure and supervision. This means you’ll need to be highly motivated on your own to be successful in an IOP.
Similar to PHP, IOP mental health treatment usually meets 3 to 5 days a week. However, you’ll spend less time each day at the facility. You might only participate in treatment sessions for 2 to 3 hours each day you are there.
During IOP, you’ll participate in both individual and group therapy. You’ll also have access to psychiatric medication and support from a licensed psychiatrist.
While IOP programs offer less structure than PHP, they are ideal for people who need to continue working, attending school, or caring for their families during recovery.
What is the Difference Between PHP and IOP, and Which Program is Right for You?
The main difference between PHP and IOP is the intensity of treatment. While PHPs can treat severe mental health issues, IOP is ideal for moderate to mild symptoms. This is because PHP offers more time during one-on-one therapy sessions and a higher level of structure.
If you have a co-occurring substance use disorder or severe mental health symptoms like suicidal thoughts, delusions, or hallucinations, IOP might not suffice. You’ll need more intensive care than these programs can provide. Thankfully, partial hospitalization programs offer the level of support you’ll need.
On the other hand, if you have work or school commitments, you’ll need more flexibility in scheduling. This means an intensive outpatient program might be better suited to your needs than PHP.
If you are unsure what level of care is right for you, the mental health experts at Renewed Light Mental Health can provide you with an in-depth assessment. The information they gather will allow them to make an informed decision on whether PHP or IOP is right for you.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Outpatient Mental Health Treatment Program
Recovering from a mental health condition can take time, effort, and dedication. Because mental health recovery can be complicated, you should never attempt to do it alone. Instead, allow a mental health treatment center like Renewed Light Mental Health to assist you.
Regarding mental wellness, Renewed Light offers access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, therapists, and counselors. Through effective treatment at our facility in South Jersey, we aim to help break the bondage that mental health has caused the mind so that light and truth can enter, setting one free.
If you are looking for outpatient mental health treatment, you’ve come to the right place. Renewed Light Mental Health can help you recover from a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more.
Contact us today to learn more about whether PHP or IOP is right for you.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness
