PHP vs. IOP for Teen & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment
As your child approaches their teenage years, they will face a number of different challenges, both physiological and psychological. It can be difficult for your teen to navigate the variety of changes that face them, from puberty and hormones to social issues like bullying and peer pressure. As a parent/caregiver, it can be just as difficult to find ways to support your teen during this time.
In order to provide support, it is important to understand the variety of challenges your teen may be facing. During puberty, males and females will experience a variety of physical changes including hair growth, muscle growth, changes in voice, breast development, menstruation, and acne. Your teen may also experience changes in body shape, including height and weight.
Oftentimes, when our physical appearance changes, we also experience psychological and social changes. Socially, teens face issues of peer pressure, bullying, sexual activity, drug/alcohol use, social media pressure, etc., on a daily basis. When not properly coped with, these stressors and issues can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, risk-taking behaviors, academic problems, and thoughts/engagement in suicidal ideation and self-harm, to name a few.
Options for Teen & Adolescent Mental Health Treatment
There are a variety of options for adolescent mental health treatment. Mental health treatment can range from weekly talk therapy to intensive residential programs. If your child is experiencing any of the above symptoms–especially symptoms related to safety– it is highly recommended and important to talk with your teen and a mental health professional to determine an appropriate level of care.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Partial Hospitalization (or “PHP”) is a structured, outpatient program that is an appropriate treatment option for individuals who need additional support with executive functioning, positive peer interaction, and are able to maintain safety while at home. Most PHP programming is Monday through Friday for a minimum of 5 hours per day. While in PHP, your teen will receive comprehensive services, from individual therapy and group therapy to medication management. One of the many benefits of PHP level of care is that, despite the intensiveness of the program, those that participate in PHP will return home at the end of each day. The main goal in PHP is stabilization so that your teen can acclimate to their normal routine. Other benefits of being in PHP include: having a space to learn and practice coping skills, increased social contact, having a daily routine, a space to process one’s depression and anxiety, and constant safety planning. Once PHP treatment is completed, it is recommended that your teen step down to Intensive Outpatient (“IOP”).
Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive Outpatient or IOP is mental health treatment that individuals can participate in while still engaged in school and/or work. Typically, IOP is 3 hours of programming per day for 3-4 days per week. IOP is the perfect treatment model for individuals who need more than weekly therapy but are able to maintain enough safety to function successfully in school or at work. IOP is a great step-down option for anyone who was previously in a PHP level of care because IOP takes the skills one has learned in PHP and gives space for an individual to apply it in their day-to-day life. In IOP, you have the structure of treatment with the flexibility of life.
How ROWI Teen Can Help Your Family
To get started with ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness Centers, submit a request or simply call our Admissions Team at 805-356-3477 and one of our helpful coordinators will assist you in completing an application, scheduling an assessment, and verifying your insurance to get you, your family, and teen started on your journey to mental wellness.