Countless people around the globe suffer from some form of mental illness. Some reading this article may know someone with a mental illness or may be living with a mental illness themselves. As anyone living with mental illness knows, sometimes help is needed. And it’s ok to ask for help. Asking for help is incredibly positive and shows a willingness and yearning for personal improvement. Many forms can take; from counseling and therapy to inpatient rehabilitation; mental health treatment can be as mild or involved as one likes. Some may consider counseling and therapy a more mild form of mental health treatment. In contrast, inpatient rehabilitation would appear more involved, but is there a middle ground between the two?

For those who do not require 24/7 monitoring but do feel as though they require more assistance than a regularly scheduled therapy appointment can provide, a partial hospitalization program is a good option. 

Partial Hospitalization Programs and Average Length of Stay

When it comes to partial hospitalization, the first question that pops up often pertains to patients’ length of stay. Partial hospitalization programs’ average stay length depends on the patient and the facility they attend. While there is no set rule here, most partial hospitalization programs last from five to six weeks. This period is chosen to maximize patients’ benefits during the program while allowing time for new skills to be discovered, mastered, and implemented. Patients will work in one-on-one and group settings with various therapists and specialists. Partial hospitalization programs are designed for those who meet the following qualifications: 

• Is medically stable 
• Has at-home support systems
• Not at risk of self-harm or harming others
• Has difficulty meeting the requirement of their daily routine, such as trouble at work, or school
• Is motivated to partake in treatment. 

Those who partake in partial hospitalization will undergo various exercises during their stay to better understand how their mental health impacts their daily life and the tools and coping mechanisms that can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. 

Partial Hospitalization Program Timeline

A partial hospitalization program timeline typically consists of five stages. The duration of these stages will depend on the partial hospitalization program’s average length of stay but will contain the following:

• Comprehensive diagnostic assessment – This is a comprehensive review of the patient’s physical health, mental health, and mental illness history. This stage informs doctors of their patient’s condition and allows them to develop a treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. 
• Coordination of medical services – This stage is where doctors craft treatment programs and patients begin to receive treatment. During this stage, doctors will coordinate with other specialists such as mental health care providers and primary care providers. It is here that each partial hospitalization program becomes unique to the patient.
• Individual and group therapy – Patients work in one-on-one and group settings during their program. Individually, one patient may benefit from evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy, while another may benefit more from a family education-based therapy. Group therapy allows patients to take what they’ve learned in their one-on-one sessions and practice it in a group setting.
• Evaluating the risk of self-harm or harm to others – This stage pertains to assessing and addressing the risks a patient poses to themselves and those around them. 
• Discharge planning – Towards the end of the program, patients will work with their doctors to craft a discharge plan. This essentially is a plan crafted for the sole purpose of helping patients maintain the progress they’ve made during the program while lessening the risk of hospitalization in the future. 

Much of a patient’s treatment will be determined by their comprehensive diagnostic assessment but is susceptible to change depending on how patients are doing in the program. Each stage informs the next and helps patients progress through their partial hospitalization program timeline. 

Receiving Partial Hospitalization Treatment At Promises-Brazos Valley

When considering partial hospitalization treatment, consider Promises-Brazos Valley. At Promises-Brazos Valley, we know how hard it can be to find and maintain motivation for treatment. Here, we try to go above and beyond for our patients in the care we provide. For more information on our partial hospitalization program and other services, or to schedule an appointment today, contact us at (979) 731-9433.