Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) Available for Teens In Houston-Montrose

Many families discover that weekly therapy appointments aren’t enough when their teen is in crisis. At the same time, full psychiatric hospitalization is too extreme or disruptive. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) address this gap by providing hospital-level care during daytime hours while teens return home each evening.

When Might Your Teen Need Partial Hospitalization?

PHP represents a specific level of psychiatric care between outpatient therapy and inpatient hospitalization. PHP typically involves 5-6 hours of treatment per day, 5 days per week, making it the most intensive outpatient option available.

Here are some signs that your teen may benefit from PHP-level care:

• Active suicidal ideation Recent suicide attempt or developing a plan for suicide 
• Cutting, burning, or other self-injurious behaviorsIntrusive thoughts about death or dying that won’t go away

Severe mood symptoms:

• Depression so severe that your teen struggles to  get out of bed or maintain basic hygiene on most days
• Anxiety attacks happening daily or multiple times per day
• Mood changes that  disrupt family functioningWithdrawal from friends, activities, and family
• Crying spells lasting for long-periods without clear trigger
• sFunctional impairment:

• Missing multiple days of school due to mental health symptoms
• Unable to complete homework or maintain passing grades despite trying
• Dropping out of extracurricular activities and hobbies they usually enjoy
• Refusing to leave the house or bedroom for extended periods
• Sleep disruption (sleeping 14+ hours or sleeping less than 6  hours on most nights)

Symptoms haven’t improved with treatment:

• Weekly therapy hasn’t improved symptoms after 3+ months or 8-12 sessions.
• Medication trials haven’t helped
• Your teen is getting worse despite outpatient treatment
• You’ve been to the emergency room for mental health crises 

Our Evidence-Based Treatment Approach

Our PHP combines multiple therapeutic approaches into a structured daily program. Most teens attend for 5-7 weeks before transitioning to outpatient care.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT forms our curriculum foundation, teaching four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Teens attend daily DBT skills groups to learn and practice these techniques for managing overwhelming emotions and improving relationships.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps teens identify and change negative thought patterns including catastrophic thinking, black-and-white reasoning, and depressive rumination. Our therapists use CBT to address anxiety loops and negative self-talk.
• Trauma-Informed Care: Many Houston teens carry trauma from Hurricane Harvey, family instability, or other adverse experiences. Our trauma-informed approach creates safety, recognizes trauma responses, and can help to prepare for readiness for EMDR therapy (or other forms of evidence-based therapy for trauma such as Cognitive ProcessingTherapy) when appropriate.
• Group Therapy Focus: PHP operates primarily through therapeutic groups, which research shows is particularly effective for teens. Groups reduce isolation, provide peer support, and allow safe practice of social skills. Topics include emotional regulation, healthy relationships, communication, anger management, and self-esteem.
• Psychiatric Services: Our psychiatry providers evaluate medication needs, adjust prescriptions more frequently than outpatient settings allow, monitor side effects, and coordinate with existing prescribers. Medication management is optional but recommended when appropriate.

Why Families Choose Our Houston Location

Located in the Montrose neighborhood, we serve families throughout greater Houston:

• Downtown Houston (10-15 minutes)
• Sugar Land (25-30 minutes)
• Katy/Cypress (45 minutes)