man talking on a video therapy call

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
An Intensive Full-Day Program to Support Mental Health Recovery

The Inova Behavioral Health Services Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) uses proven, evidence-based best practices. This program can help people who are stepping down from inpatient care, providing structure and encouragement as individuals re-enter their family and community environments. This program can also be step up from outpatient care, with the goal of helping people avoid an inpatient psychiatric admission.

The program is offered at our outpatient center in Fairfax, VA, near Inova Fairfax Medical Campus. How long a person stays in the program depends on the specific goals and treatment plan, but most participants are in the program for one to two weeks.

PHP runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The backbone of PHP is therapy in small groups, with 8 to ten participants. Individual counseling is also provided. Participants learn to build on their existing skills and develop additional coping strategies. It is a positive, motivating environment.

Program Components

  • Detailed intake assessment and evaluation
  • Individualized treatment plan with a multidisciplinary team approach
  • Patient-directed goal setting
  • Progress tracking through assessments taken at different intervals throughout treatment that is tracked by therapists
  • Group therapy sessions throughout the day, covering a range of topics including cognitive behavioral therapy, skill building, goal setting and medication education
  • Medication management, including adjustment and monitoring, with one-on-one meetings with physicians
  • Safety planning, with a focus on suicide prevention
  • Smooth transition to the next level of care

Our Team

FAQs – Adult Mental Health Outpatient Partial Hospitalization Program

Most people remain in PHP for one to two weeks.

PHP is designed for medication monitoring and is built around daily group therapy, so absences are discouraged. Any planned absences should be coordinated with your doctor. Staff follow up on every absence to ensure participants’ well-being. Two consecutive absences are considered a sign that an individual is unable to participate at this level of care, and another alternative is likely to be explored and recommended.

No. PHP is designed as a full-day program, and daily attendance to all services is required.

Yes. Please ask for this letter when you begin the program.

No. We only write the letter to support your absence from work for the days you attend PHP.

This decision would be made by your physician after you enter PHP.

While we coordinate care with your outside physician, we ask that only the PHP physician manages your treatment while you are at this level of care.

Yes, provided the appointments are after program hours (i.e., 4 p.m. or later).

The physician who coordinates your care will work with you to make any adjustments needed to help address your symptoms and improve your health.

Yes. You will have a primary counselor who meets with you to plan and follow up with how to best meet your goals by capitalizing on your strengths and removing obstacles that are preventing you from reaching your goals.