Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) rehab is a structured level of care that provides intensive treatment during the day without requiring an overnight stay. It is designed for individuals who need more support than outpatient therapy but do not require 24-hour residential treatment. By offering daily therapeutic services while allowing clients to return to their own home or a supportive living environment in the evenings, PHP rehab creates a strong bridge between inpatient and outpatient care.
What PHP Rehabilitation Involves and How It Works 
This level of care delivers several hours of therapy and clinical support each day, typically five days a week. Clients participate in evidence-based and holistic interventions that help them address substance use challenges and co-occurring mental health conditions.
At Flatirons Recovery, PHP includes therapies such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices, group sessions, and family involvement. These approaches provide strategies for emotional regulation, trauma processing, and relapse prevention.
The design of PHP makes it especially effective for individuals stepping down from inpatient treatment or for those who require more structure than outpatient care provides. It combines intensity with flexibility, creating a practical and sustainable recovery path.
Therapies and Approaches Commonly Used in Day Treatment Programs
A central strength of the day treatment program is the variety of therapies it offers, ensuring clients receive support for both substance use and underlying mental health concerns. Flatirons Recovery’s PHP integrates therapies that address substance use, mental health, trauma, and overall well-being. Clients benefit from:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Improves distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages clients to accept difficult emotions while moving toward healthier choices.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies and changes negative thought patterns contributing to substance use.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Reduces the impact of past trauma on present behavior.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Strengthens personal motivation for change.
- Mindfulness Practices: Builds presence, self-awareness, and stress management.
- Experiential Therapy: Uses nature-based activities like hiking to promote grounding and recovery.
- Family Support: Engages loved ones to strengthen communication and long-term recovery outcomes.
This blend of clinical, experiential, and holistic practices provides comprehensive support for clients in recovery. It ensures that PHP addiction treatment addresses both substance use and underlying mental health needs.
Who Typically Benefits from This Level of Treatment
PHP is designed for people who need structured support without the 24-hour supervision of inpatient care. It is especially helpful for those transitioning from detox or residential treatment, as it offers continued daily therapy while allowing for gradual re-entry into everyday life. This step-down approach lowers relapse risk and reinforces coping skills.
PHP also benefits individuals who may not require inpatient care but need more than traditional outpatient therapy. People managing frequent relapse, high stress, or co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety often find PHP to be the right level of support. Flatirons Recovery integrates dual-diagnosis care into PHP, ensuring that both substance use and mental health needs are treated together.
Within the continuum of care, PHP usually follows detox or inpatient treatment and precedes intensive outpatient programming (IOP) or sober living. Flatirons Recovery provides this full continuum, helping clients progress through each stage with consistency and guidance.
Why Peer Support and Connection Matter in Recovery
Recovery is strengthened in supportive environments, and community plays a vital role in that process. PHP fosters peer connection through group sessions where individuals share experiences, develop empathy, and hold one another accountable. These relationships reduce isolation and build confidence in sobriety.
At our recovery center, group sessions are structured to promote openness and trust, allowing clients to draw strength from others who understand their challenges. Support continues beyond treatment hours through alumni groups, sober living programs, and aftercare planning, ensuring ongoing connection and encouragement.
Community involvement is more than supportive; it is a foundation of lasting recovery. The bonds created in treatment often continue through alumni and aftercare programs, providing stability and reinforcement well into the future.
What to Look for in a Day Treatment Program
Choosing a PHP rehab program is an important decision, and the right program can make a meaningful difference in long-term recovery. When evaluating options, consider the following:
- Evidence-Based Therapies: Look for DBT, CBT, ACT, EMDR, and motivational interviewing, supported by group-based sessions, mindfulness, and experiential activities.
- Qualified Clinical Staff: Ensure the program is led by licensed, trauma-informed professionals. Accreditation and adherence to recognized standards also demonstrate safety and quality.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Care should adapt to the individual, addressing substance use and co-occurring conditions.
- Family Involvement and Aftercare: Strong programs include family therapy, intensive outpatient care, alumni support, and sober living options for ongoing accountability.
- Supportive Environment: Recovery is strengthened in spaces that promote reflection and connection. Programs like ours, located in Boulder, integrate nature and community into the healing process.
Flatirons Recovery meets all of these standards. Our PHP care is grounded in clinically-proven therapies, mindfulness practices, and a supportive community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Most PHP programs run for about six hours a day, five days a week. This schedule provides intensive therapeutic support while leaving evenings open for personal responsibilities or sober living.
Yes, depending on the schedule and circumstances. Many clients balance PHP with part-time work, school, or family responsibilities.
While PHP is not a 24-hour medical program, it includes clinical oversight. At Flatirons Recovery, clients may receive psychiatric support, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and medication management.
Most insurance providers recognize PHP as a clinical level of care. Our center works with clients and insurers to clarify benefits and ensure financial transparency.
We provide aftercare planning that may include intensive outpatient programs (IOP), individual therapy, alumni groups, sober living environments, and ongoing psychiatric support.
Every recovery journey is different, and while these FAQs provide guidance, the best way to understand if the day rehab program is right for you is through a personal conversation. Our facility is here to answer your questions and support you in taking the next step.
Find Strength and Support Through PHP Rehab at Flatirons Recovery
At our center, PHP rehab is designed to meet each person where they are. We combine evidence-based therapies, motivational interviewing, mindfulness practices, experiential activities, and family involvement to create treatment plans that address both substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions.Located in Boulder, Colorado, our center offers a healing environment rooted in community and clinical excellence. If you or a loved one is ready to begin a sustainable path to recovery, contact us today to learn more about our program.