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 Florida provides a safe, structured bridge toward stability. 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.

What Is a Mental Health Partial Hospitalization Program?

Our Approach to PHP Mental Health Treatment

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 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.

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.

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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 the Tampa and Orlando area. Once stabilized, clients can step down seamlessly into our PHP mental health program for continued support.

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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 The Lakes, clients attend treatment five days per week for several hours each day. The exact schedule and treatment plan may vary based on each person’s clinical needs and progress.

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 treatment, PHP allows clients to return home or to a supportive living environment after treatment each day. This gives clients an opportunity to practice the coping skills they develop in treatment in their everyday lives.

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.

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.