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.
Partial Hospitalization Program for Mental Health 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 five days a week, engaging in several 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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Why Choose The Lakes?
Choosing a mental health partial hospitalization program in Florida is about finding a place that combines professional expertise with compassionate care.
At The Lakes, treatment happens in a calm, boutique environment where every client is known by name. Our licensed clinicians, psychiatrists, and wellness specialists create a consistent structure that promotes emotional safety, confidence, and growth.
We know that recovery takes time and steady support. With small groups, individualized attention, and evidence-based care, The Lakes provides a PHP mental health program that helps you regain balance and rebuild your quality of life.
Our Florida center near Tampa and Orlando offers the same compassionate approach, helping clients heal with purpose and dignity.
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)
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Inpatient Crisis Management Placement Coordination
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 Partial Hospitalization Program 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 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.


