What to expect

What to expect at our partial hospitalization program

The program is structured to keep each patient’s own psychiatric needs as the focal point of their treatment plan through a combination of individual, family and group therapy programs.

Patients spend 5 to 6 hours every weekday in sessions designed to improve mental health symptoms and teach skills necessary for improved function at home and school. The program’s duration is between two to five weeks, and also includes medication management if it is prescribed as part of the patient’s PHP plan.

A care plan in the program may include:

• Expressive groups such as art and music therapy in partnership with Children’s Minnesota child and family services department.
• One to two sessions of individual and family psychotherapy each week of this program.
• Daily group therapy lead by therapists that provide structured and supported space for youth to bring up concerns and get advice, support, and feedback from other youth who can share their own unique perspectives on problems.
• Therapeutic groups throughout the day including:
  • Psychoeducation groups which teach coping strategies and other ways to manage mental health symptoms.
  • Movement groups which focus on physical activities that improve mental health and well-being.
  • Wellness groups which help patients learn ways to take care of themselves through nutrition, sleep hygiene and other aspects of physical health and wellness.
• Case management services to help ensure patients have appropriate after-care support in place to continue improving their mental health following discharge from the program.

Next steps after treatment

Treatment teams and families work together to think about discharge beginning on the first day of the program. Adolescents are connected with providers at either Children’s Minnesota or other community clinics. Telehealth (virtual care) appointments are also an option for follow-up care. Most teens enrolled in this program will continue their existing relationship with an established outpatient provider in the community if available.