When someone is ready to leave inpatient treatment but still needs more support than weekly therapy can offer, The Lakes’ mental health partial hospitalization program in Lakeland, Polk County, provides a safe, structured bridge toward stability. Located at 420 W Magnolia St in Lakeland, our PHP offers comprehensive daytime treatment that helps clients rebuild balance, develop coping skills, and move forward confidently with professional guidance every step of the way.
Mental Health PHP in Lakeland at The Lakes
A Supportive Step Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care
Program Description
What Is a Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) for mental health is an intensive level of care designed to support clients who need structured treatment during the day but do not require 24-hour supervision. It’s often the next step after inpatient care or a higher level of support for those who are struggling to manage symptoms in traditional outpatient therapy.
At The Lakes, clients attend our PHP mental health program several days a week, engaging in multiple hours of evidence-based therapies, group sessions, and wellness activities. Evenings are spent at home or in a supportive living environment, allowing individuals to practice new coping skills in real-world settings.
Our Approach to PHP Mental Health Treatment
Our PHP behavioral health program blends clinical expertise with genuine compassion. We believe recovery happens when care feels both personal and consistent, so every treatment plan is customized to meet each client’s goals, needs, and progress.
This individualized approach allows our clinicians to address complex mental health conditions such as:
- Depression and mood disorders
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
- OCD and intrusive thoughts
- Personality disorders
- Co-occurring substance use concerns
Clients in our Florida mental health partial hospitalization program benefit from a multidisciplinary team that includes licensed therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and wellness specialists. Together, we help each person stabilize, build resilience, and restore confidence in daily life.
Therapies Used in Our Mental Health PHP Program
Our Florida PHP program blends proven, practical therapies with supportive, whole-person care. In PHP, you spend several hours with us on weekdays, then return home or to a supportive living environment in the evening. Treatment plans are individualized and adjusted as you progress.
Each of these therapies works together to treat the whole person. This integrated model helps clients develop insight, emotional regulation, and resilience, addressing both symptoms and underlying causes of mental health disorders for sustainable recovery.[1]
01
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Build skills to notice unhelpful thought patterns, challenge them with evidence, and practice new behaviors. We use structured exercises, thought records, and real-world homework to help reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression.
02
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Learn concrete tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and healthy communication. DBT groups and coaching help you manage intense feelings, reduce impulsive behaviors, and strengthen relationships.
03
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Clarify your values and take steady, meaningful actions, even when emotions feel heavy. ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance skills to reduce avoidance and move you toward a life that fits who you are.
04
Trauma-Focused Care (e.g., EMDR, CPT)
For clients with trauma or PTSD, we use evidence-based methods such as EMDR therapy to process painful memories in a safe, paced way. The goal is relief from intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hyperarousal, while reclaiming a sense of safety and control.
05
Medication Management
Our psychiatric providers offer thorough assessments, medication initiation when appropriate, and close follow-up to monitor effectiveness and side effects. We collaborate with you to align medication decisions with your goals.
06
Holistic Supports
Mindfulness, breathwork, yoga, movement, and expressive therapies help calm the nervous system, improve sleep, and restore balance. These practices pair with therapy to strengthen resilience.
Who is PHP for?
The Lakes’ Partial Hospitalization Program for mental health is designed for people who need intensive daily treatment but do not require 24-hour inpatient supervision.
It’s especially helpful for:
- Adults transitioning from inpatient or residential treatment who still need structure and daily support.
- Clients experiencing significant symptoms of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or OCD.
- Individuals who require more comprehensive care than weekly therapy can provide.
- Those coping with co-occurring substance use concerns alongside mental health challenges.[2]
- People seeking a structured environment to regain emotional stability while continuing to live at home.
PHP in Lakeland: What Your Day Looks Like
Our mental health partial hospitalization program runs out of our outpatient center at 420 W Magnolia St in downtown Lakeland, a short walk from Lake Mirror. Clients come in on weekday mornings for a full day of structured treatment. Each evening they go home or to supportive housing, so the skills you build during the day get practiced in your real life that night.
Arriving each day
Our staff will walk you through check-in on your first day so you know exactly where to go. The building was designed to feel calm and private, with natural light, quiet spaces for individual sessions, and shared rooms for groups. It feels more like a comfortable office than a hospital.
Commuting from across Polk County
Many of our PHP clients live outside Lakeland and drive in each day. From Auburndale, the drive is usually about 15–20 minutes along US-92. From Bartow or Mulberry, plan on 20–25 minutes via US-98 or SR-37. From Winter Haven, it’s typically 25–30 minutes. None of these routes require I-4, which matters for anyone who finds highway driving stressful. Because PHP is a daily commitment, our admissions team will help you think through your schedule before you start.
Transportation and supportive housing
If transportation is a concern, let our admissions team know. We’ll talk through options so getting here doesn’t become a barrier to care.
Want to learn more about our Lakeland campus? Visit our Lakeland mental health treatment center page, or contact admissions to schedule a visit.
Why Choose The Lakes for PHP in Lakeland?
Choosing a mental health partial hospitalization program means choosing where you’ll spend most of your days for the next several weeks. At The Lakes, that place is our boutique outpatient center in downtown Lakeland. The setting is calm and private, every client is known by name, and treatment feels personal rather than clinical.
Our PHP is led by licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, and wellness specialists who work together on one plan. Small groups mean real individual attention, and the daily structure is consistent, which helps you feel safe enough to do the hard work of getting better. We’re licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families and accredited by The Joint Commission, so you can trust the care meets rigorous standards for safety and quality.
Getting treatment close to home matters too. Our Lakeland location keeps you near the people and routines you’ll return to after PHP, so the progress you make here carries into everyday life. That’s true for clients from across Polk County, and for families who travel from the Tampa and Orlando areas for a quieter, more focused place to heal.
Other Levels of Care at The Lakes
Recovery and mental wellness are lifelong processes, and having the right level of support matters. The Lakes offers a complete continuum of care, allowing clients to move through treatment at a pace that matches their progress and needs.
Research shows that continuing structured treatment after hospitalization through step-down programs like IOP can reduce rehospitalization rates and improve long-term outcomes for people recovering from mental health conditions.[3]
In addition to our Partial Hospitalization Program, we also offer:
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP for mental health in Florida provides a flexible schedule for clients, balancing therapy with work, school, or family. It includes structured group therapy, individual sessions, and medication management several days a week.
Learn more
Inpatient Crisis Management Placement Coordination
For individuals in acute crisis who require 24-hour care, The Lakes coordinates admission with trusted Florida inpatient facilities in Lakeland and Polk County, including the Tampa and Orlando areas. Once stabilized, clients can step down seamlessly into our PHP mental health program for continued support.
Learn more
Start Your Recovery Safely with The Lakes
If you or someone you love is facing a mental health crisis, help is available. The Lakes works with psychiatric hospitals across Florida to make sure every person in crisis receives the care they need to stay safe and begin the healing process.
Once stability is restored, our Lakeland center offers a supportive place nearby Tampa and Orlando to continue treatment through structured outpatient care.
You don’t have to face a crisis alone. Reach out today. Our team is here to help you find safety, clarity, and a plan for what comes next.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or 988 before contacting our team.
FAQs About Our Mental Health PHP in Lakeland, FL
What is a mental health partial hospitalization program?
A mental health partial hospitalization program (PHP) is an intensive form of outpatient treatment for people who need more support than traditional weekly therapy but do not require 24-hour inpatient care. PHP provides structured treatment during the day while allowing clients to return home or to a supportive living environment in the evening.
How many hours a day is a mental health PHP?
PHP is one of the most structured forms of outpatient mental health care. At our Lakeland center, each day combines individual and group therapy, skills training, and check-ins with your providers. Your exact schedule may shift as you progress, and many clients step down to our mental health IOP in Lakeland once they need fewer hours.
What mental health conditions can be treated in PHP?
Mental health PHP can support people experiencing depression, anxiety and panic disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD and trauma-related conditions, OCD, personality disorders, and co-occurring substance use concerns. Treatment is individualized based on each client’s symptoms, needs, and goals.
What therapies are used in a mental health PHP?
Treatment may include individual and group therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), trauma-focused therapies, medication management, and holistic approaches. The goal is to help clients manage symptoms while developing practical coping and emotional regulation skills.
Who is a good candidate for a mental health PHP?
PHP may be appropriate for someone who needs significant daily structure and clinical support but is stable enough to live outside a hospital or residential setting. It can also serve as a step down after inpatient treatment or a step up when traditional outpatient therapy is not providing enough support.
What is the difference between PHP and IOP for mental health?
PHP generally provides more treatment hours and structure than an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Someone may begin with PHP when symptoms require substantial support and later transition to IOP as they become more stable and independent.
Can I live at home while attending a mental health PHP?
Yes. Unlike inpatient or residential care, PHP lets you return home or to supportive housing each evening. Many of our clients commute to our Lakeland center from nearby Polk County communities like Auburndale, Bartow, Mulberry, and Winter Haven, usually a 15–30 minute drive without getting on I-4. Going home each night gives you the chance to practice new coping skills in your everyday life while you’re still in treatment.
Does insurance cover mental health partial hospitalization programs?
Many health insurance plans provide behavioral health benefits that may cover partial hospitalization, but coverage varies by plan and medical necessity requirements. The Lakes can help verify your insurance benefits and explain potential coverage before treatment begins.
Where is The Lakes’ PHP program located?
Our partial hospitalization program is at 420 W Magnolia St in downtown Lakeland, FL 33815, near Lake Mirror. The center serves adults from across Polk County, and we also welcome clients from the Tampa and Orlando areas who want a calmer, more focused setting for treatment. Learn more about our Lakeland mental health treatment center.
Sources
[1] National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Psychotherapies. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies. Accessed on September 8, 2026.
[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Treatment improvement protocol (TIP) 42: Substance use disorder treatment for people with co-occurring disorders (HHS Publication No. PEP20-02-01-004). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://library.samhsa.gov/product/advisory-substance-use-disorder-treatment-people-co-occurring-disorders-based-tip-42/pep20. Accessed on September 8, 2026.
[3] Hegedüs, A., Kozel, B., Richter, D., & Behrens, J. (2019). Effectiveness of transitional interventions in improving patient outcomes and service use after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 969. Retrieved from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00969/full. Accessed on September 8, 2026.
