Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Massachusetts
Helping teens—and the people who care for them—find a path forward
If you’re here, things have probably been hard for a while.
Maybe your teen has tried therapy or medication, but nothing seems to help. Their moods are darker, school feels impossible, and you’re seeing isolation, risky behavior, or even self-harm.
Maybe they’re currently in inpatient care. You’re understandably worried.
You’re not overreacting. And you’re not alone.
At Direction Behavioral Health, our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) gives teens in crisis the daily care they need, without full-time hospitalization. We provide structured therapy, psychiatric support, school coordination, and family involvement to help teens stabilize and move forward safely and with purpose.
Teen mental health in Massachusetts and beyond
Here in Massachusetts—and across New England and the U.S.—teens are facing a growing mental health crisis. But support is available, and getting help is more common than many families realize.
What the Numbers Say
According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey:
- Nearly
40% of high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, and about
1 in 5 teens have
seriously considered suicide
- Emotional distress is especially high among female students, LGBTQ+ youth, and racially diverse groups
The 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found:
- 29.8% of U.S. adolescents (ages 12–17) received some form of mental health treatment in the past year.
Among teens who experienced a major depressive episode:
- 56.8% received treatment
- 48.1% received outpatient care
- 34.4% accessed treatment via telehealth
- 28.1% were prescribed mental health medications
These numbers are serious, but they’re not the end of the story. With the right support, your teen can regain hope, heal, and move forward with confidence.
What is a partial hospitalization program (PHP)?
A
Partial Hospitalization Program is a short-term, intensive mental health treatment option for teens who need more than outpatient therapy, but who don’t require round-the-clock inpatient care. Teens attend the program during the day and return home at night, offering the structure of clinical treatment with the comfort of staying connected to home life.
What comes after the PHP?
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Direction is a step-down level of care for kids who have completed our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), offering continued therapeutic support in a shorter, more flexible format.
This intensive outpatient program for teens bridges the gap between weekly therapy and full hospitalization, giving adolescents the support they need to regain stability
Kids & teens come to us for various reasons. Some of the conditions we treat include:
When is PHP the right choice for a teen?
Maybe your teen has been in the hospital, and you’re unsure what comes next. The crisis isn’t as acute, but your teen still needs daily support, structure, and care to heal. That’s exactly where a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) comes in.
PHP is often the next step after inpatient treatment. It offers a full day of therapeutic programming—individual and group therapy, psychiatric care, and academic coordination—while still letting your teen come home each night. It’s a bridge between crisis and recovery.
A good fit for teens who:
- Are stepping down from inpatient hospitalization
- Still need more than weekly outpatient therapy
- Struggle with major depression, anxiety, self-harm, or other serious concerns
- Need help rebuilding routine, relationships, and a sense of self
PHP can be a powerful turning point. It helps teens build the tools, support, and confidence to reenter school, reconnect with family and peers, and move forward with their lives—safely and with purpose.
Is PHP Right for Your Teen?
A look inside our teen PHP program
At Direction Behavioral Health, everything we do centers around helping your teen feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Our Wholistic Approach means we treat more than symptoms—we help them rebuild confidence, connection, and a sense of purpose across every part of their life.
We’ve been doing this work since 2008, and in that time, we’ve helped thousands of teens and families find real progress—one day at a time.
Structure and schedule
Your teen follows a consistent daily routine designed to reduce stress and build stability. They attend five days a week, returning home each evening.
Therapy and skill-building
We use reliable therapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care to help your teen manage emotions and build healthy habits. They’ll have daily individual and group sessions tailored to their needs.
Academic and family support
We coordinate with your teen’s school to support their academic progress. Families are included every step of the way because healing works best when everyone is involved.
Conditions we support in PHP
This isn’t just a tough season or typical teenage angst. It’s something more—something that’s making everyday life harder for your teen, and your whole family.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program is built for teens facing:
- Major depression that doesn’t lift—and may include self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Intense anxiety that severely interferes with school, friendships, or basic routines
- ADHD that goes beyond distraction—intense emotional outbursts, risk-taking, or emotional shutdowns
Many of the teens we support are also dealing with trauma, identity struggles, or other challenges that haven’t gotten better with weekly therapy. PHP offers the structure, expertise, and hope they need to begin healing.
Direction Behavioral Health’s approach to adolescent PHP
Our adolescent PHP is designed for teens, by people who understand teens. Located in a spacious, 8,000-square-foot facility, it feels
welcoming and comfortable, not clinical.
Your teen will work with a handpicked team of caring clinicians who specialize in adolescent mental health. Daily group and individual therapy, medication management, and skill-building happen alongside creative outlets like music, movement, and art, making healing both effective and engaging.
Most importantly, your teen comes home each evening to family and familiar routines. This balance of intensive care and home life supports lasting recovery for your teen and your whole family.
Empower Your Teen's Recovery
Taking the step toward a Partial Hospitalization Program at Direction Behavioral Health is a powerful move toward healing and hope.
Your teen doesn’t have to face this journey alone—our adolescent PHP near Massachusetts provides the care and support they need to regain stability and build a brighter future.