If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health symptoms, finding the right treatment option often feels overwhelming. Terms like “PHP” (Partial Hospitalization Program) and “IOP” (Intensive Outpatient Program) can sound clinical and confusing. Understanding the difference between the two can help you or your loved one receive the most appropriate and effective level of care.
At PrairieCare, we provide a full continuum of mental health support, ranging from outpatient therapy to inpatient hospitalization, in the Twin Cities, Mankato, and Rochester. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about PHP vs. IOP to help you make an informed, confident decision.
What are the Key Differences Between PHP and IOP Programs?
The differences between IOP and PHP are mainly based on the scope of your symptoms, your ability to function in daily life, and the level of support and resources you might benefit from.
What is PHP Treatment?
A Partial Hospitalization Program is one of the most robust forms of outpatient care. PrairieCare’s PHP treatment offers full-day support, Monday through Friday, for people who need more aid and structure than weekly therapy but do not require overnight hospitalization. PHP can be a step-down from inpatient or residential care, or an alternative to around-the-clock hospitalization.
Who might benefit from PHP Treatment?
- Children or teens unable to function at home or at school due to anxiety, depression, or behavioral challenges, and who need academic support
- Adults struggling to manage daily responsibilities like parenting, work, or self-care
- People struggling with eating disorders
- Anyone needing close monitoring and medication management without 24/7 care
What does PHP involve?
- 5–6 hours of structured therapeutic programming, five days per week
- Group therapy, individual therapy, and family sessions
- Psychiatric care and medication management
- Experiential activities, like art, breathwork, yoga, and more
- Academic support for youth with licensed teachers from local districts
PHP offers a consistent therapeutic environment to help individuals manage acute symptoms while maintaining an evening and weekend routine at home.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program offers a more flexible approach to treatment, with fewer hours per day, and sometimes fewer days per week. PrairieCare’s IOP treatment is ideal for people experiencing significant symptoms who can still manage some aspects of their daily routine, such as attending work or school.
Who might benefit from IOP?
- Adults or adolescents with stable symptoms needing more than weekly therapy
- People transitioning from PHP, residential treatment, or inpatient care
- People struggling with postpartum or pregnancy challenges
- Anyone looking for structured, skill-building support without full-day treatment
What does IOP involve?
- 3–4 hours per day, 3–5 days per week
- Group therapy, coping skills training, and psychoeducation
- Psychiatric oversight and medication support as needed
IOP allows participants to practice new skills in their everyday lives while receiving regular individual and group therapeutic support.
Treatment Modalities in IOP and PHP
Our programs can use modalities like Adapted Dialectical Behavior Therapy (A-DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Art Therapy. All modalities and approaches in our programs are tailored to you and your specific needs.
While our treatment plans in IOP and PHP include the same evidence-based and comprehensive approaches, there are differences in the daily structure and support provided in IOP vs. PHP.
Here’s what you can expect in our PHP program:
- Psychiatric medication management
- Psychoeducation
- Group and individual therapy
- Collaborative problem solving
- Self-regulation
- Art therapy
- Skills building
- Symptom management
- Occupational therapy
- Recreational therapy
- Academic schooling provided by licensed teachers
PHP includes a care team consisting of licensed professionals:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Social workers
- Registered nurses
- Recreational therapists
- Occupational therapists
Here’s what you can expect in our IOP program:
- Psychiatric medication management
- Psychoeducation
- Group and individual therapy
- Skills building
- Symptom management
IOP includes a care team consisting of licensed professionals:
- Psychiatrists
- Advanced practice nurses
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Social workers
Understanding IOP vs PHP for Mental Health
Mental health conditions treated in PHP and IOP settings include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma and PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Co-occurring substance use
- Disordered eating (youth PHP only)
- Perinatal challenges
How to Decide: PHP vs. IOP
Mental health treatment works best when viewed as a continuum. PHP and IOP can be viewed as essential steppingstones as part of someone’s mental health journey. For example, someone may be hospitalized and discharged to a PHP, then IOP, and continue therapy and medication management in a clinic service. Or someone may do weekly therapy, then step up to an IOP for additional support.
Here are some helpful questions to guide your decision between PHP vs IOP:
- Are symptoms seriously interfering with daily functioning? If yes, PHP may offer the more structured support needed to stabilize.
- Are you or your loved one returning home from inpatient or residential care? Many people step down to PHP or IOP as part of their recovery journey.
- Is there safety and support at home? If not, PHP may be a better fit, as it provides daily monitoring and increased oversight.
- Can you manage responsibilities like work or school? If so, IOP may offer the flexibility to maintain a routine while receiving support.
- If you’ve been in weekly therapy, how much additional support would be helpful? An IOP is about three hours a day and digs into the deeper, emotional side of mental health challenges. Meanwhile, PHP is a full day schedule that focuses on skill development. Depending on your current needs, one focus of the program may speak to your goals more than the other.
If you or a loved one is struggling with severe mental health challenges that need immediate safety and stabilization, our inpatient hospital is likely the best fit.
You don’t have to find services by yourself. At PrairieCare, we’re here to help you determine the right level of care based on clinical assessments, goals, and safety needs.
Why Choose PrairieCare?
At PrairieCare, we’re proud to provide comprehensive mental health treatment for people of all ages, at any point in their mental health journey. We offer comprehensive, whole-person support with a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Highlights of Our Programs:
- No-cost mental health screenings
- Most major insurance plans accepted
- Locations across Minnesota
- Youth academic support in PHP, residential treatment, and inpatient care
- Multidisciplinary teams including therapists, psychiatrists, nurses, and more
Related Mental Health Services to Consider
PrairieCare’s offerings go beyond PHP and IOP. We also provide:
- Inpatient Hospitalization: Our inpatient hospitalization is for anyone 35 and younger dealing with acute and unstable symptoms who require immediate care and support.
- Adolescent Residential Treatment: Serving adolescents, our residential program provides round-the-clock care for intensive mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges in a home-like environment.
- Perinatal Mental Health Program: Support for pregnant and postpartum individuals, and parents of young children (ages 0–5).
- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): A non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for qualified patients with treatment-resistant depression.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Whether you’re exploring care for yourself, your teen, or a loved one, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Our team is here to support you with compassion and expertise. We provide care when you need it most. No matter what you’re dealing with, we can explore all of your options together. You don’t need to have all the answers – we’ll help you find the right path forward.
You can also request a no-cost mental health screening by clicking the button below and filling out the form on the right. Our team will then contact you within one business day to get started.
FAQs
What is the difference between an IOP and PHP?
- PHP is more intensive, with more hours per week and closer clinical oversight. IOP is less intensive but still structured.
Is IOP the same as PHP?
- No. IOP is a step down from PHP in terms of intensity and time commitment.
What is PHP in mental health?
- PHP stands for Partial Hospitalization Program—a structured outpatient treatment for moderate to severe mental health symptoms.
How many hours a week is PHP?
- Typically 25–30 hours per week, spread across 5 days.
Is IOP a step down from PHP?
- Yes. Many patients move from PHP to IOP as their symptoms stabilize.
What is PHP treatment used to treat?
- PHP is used to treat significant mental health challenges, including PTSD or untreated trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, eating disorders, self-harm, substance use, and more.