TAILORED TREATMENT FOR LASTING RECOVERY
Partial Hospitalization
(PHP)
Who is PHP Right For?
Partial Hospitalization is designed for adults who need daily, structured therapeutic support to stabilize mental health symptoms, substance use patterns, or co-occurring concerns, without requiring overnight inpatient care. This level of care offers intensive clinical engagement while allowing individuals to live at home or in supportive housing.
PHP is often a strong fit for individuals navigating complex or overlapping challenges, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and process addictions. The areas highlighted below reflect the range of conditions we treat within PHP and the depth of care available for each.
What Is the Partial Hospitalization Program?
The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at The Heights Treatment Center provides structured, full-day clinical care for individuals who need intensive therapeutic support without 24-hour inpatient hospitalization. PHP is appropriate for clients managing mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or co-occurring diagnoses who benefit from daily structure, psychiatric oversight, and consistent clinical engagement.
Our Houston PHP meets Monday through Friday and includes a combination of group therapy, individual therapy, family involvement, and psychiatric services. Clients typically live at home or in supportive housing while participating in treatment.
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How (and Why) the Partial Hospitalization Program Works
PHP serves as a stabilizing level of care within our continuum. Clients receive daily therapeutic support while maintaining connection to their real-world environment, allowing them to practice skills in real time while remaining closely supported by a multidisciplinary clinical team.
Many clients enter PHP as a step-down from inpatient or residential treatment, while others begin PHP following a comprehensive assessment that indicates the need for daily clinical structure without overnight care.
As stability improves, clients may transition into the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Houston, and then move into Outpatient Programing (or “Services”) for continued support. This stepped structure ensures that each client receives the right level of care at the right time while maintaining continuity with the same clinical team.
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How is PHP for Structured for Personalized Care?
PHP typically includes up to 30 hours of treatment per week, combining evidence-based modalities and experiential therapies. Programming may include:
- Daily process and skills-based group therapy
- Individual therapy sessions and psychiatric care
- Family therapy, as clinically indicated
- Psychoeducation and experiential groups
- Ongoing medication management when appropriate
Each client’s schedule and treatment plan are individualized based on clinical needs, goals, and progress.
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A Typical PHP Schedule
Monday through Friday | 9:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m
- Process and skills-based group therapy
- Individual therapy or psychiatric sessions
- Psychoeducation and experiential therapy
- Daily check-ins and safety planning
Specific schedules may vary based on individualized treatment planning.
Efficacy of Partial Hospitalization Programs
Partial Hospitalization Programs have been shown to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and support long-term recovery for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and co-occurring diagnoses. PHP offers a clinically effective alternative to inpatient care and a critical step within a structured continuum.
At The Heights Treatment Center, PHP integrates evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed approaches alongside psychiatric care and structured group treatment.
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ASAM Assessment and the Continuum of Care
The ASAM Criteria is the most widely used and comprehensive set of guidelines for placement, continued stay, transfer, or discharge of patients with addiction and co-occurring conditions.
Using the ASAM Criteria in conjunction with our The Heights Treatment clinical staff’s professional judgment enables us to provide outcome-oriented, results-based care in our addiction treatment.
ASAM outlines various levels of care based on the outcome of the 6 ASAM dimensions assessment. These levels of care are on a scale ranging from 0.5 to 4, with 4 being the most intensive.
At The Heights Treatment, when the client has completed the goals on their IIP treatment plan and/or has stabilized in recovery to such an extent that they can complete the treatment process at a less restrictive level of care, such as our Outpatient Program, the client will transition to a lower LOC.
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Continuum of Care
At The Heights Treatment, we strongly believe that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to treatment for mental health issues, substance use disorders, or co-occurring diagnoses.
Every client who undergoes treatment at The Heights Treatment first completes a pre-assessment. Based on this assessment, the Clinical Director and Treatment Team determine the appropriate Level of Care for the client.
Once the appropriate level of care is determined, the care each client receives is individualized based on:
- The results of the client’s multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment based on ASAM Criteria
- The client’s perceived needs
- The determination of the multidisciplinary treatment team
When the client has completed the goals on their treatment plan and/or has stabilized in recovery to such an extent that they can complete the treatment process at a less restrictive level of care, the client will transition to a lower LOC.
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Prevention/Early Intervention
Targets individuals at risk to prevent substance abuse through education and early support.
Outpatient
Participants live at home and attend regular treatment sessions, suitable for mild conditions
Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization
More frequent sessions than outpatient, blending intensive care with community living.
Residential/Inpatient
24/7 care in a live-in facility, offering structured treatment for severe addictions.
Intensive Inpatient
Highly structured, intensive care in a hospital setting for the most severe cases, including medical detox and stabilization.
Ready to take the first step?
Our admissions team is here to help.
Every conversation is private, respectful, and focused on helping you take the next step at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About PHP in Houston
Common questions about eligibility, structure, and what to expect in our Houston Partial Hospitalization Program.
What makes PHP an ideal choice for treatment after residential care?
PHP provides the structure of an inpatient setting with the flexibility of community living. Clients receive daily therapy, psychiatric support, and family involvement, helping them practice recovery skills in real-time while maintaining a high level of clinical oversight.
How does PHP incorporate experiential therapy into its treatment plan?
Our Houston PHP includes experiential modalities such as Equine Therapy, mindfulness practices, and somatic-based interventions. These approaches promote emotional regulation, insight, and trauma processing beyond traditional talk therapy.
What support is available to clients in PHP for managing withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring disorders?
Clients receive ongoing assessment from our psychiatric and medical team, including medication management, monitoring for withdrawal potential, and daily therapeutic
support. PHP is designed to safely stabilize dual diagnosis conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use.
