Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Boston, MA

What Is a PHP?

If your child is facing emotional or behavioral challenges, it can be hard to know how to help. At Arbour Hospital, our partial hospitalization program (PHP) for teens provides the structure and professional support your family needs. We use evidence-based therapies and a compassionate approach to help adolescents build resiliency and confidence so they can enjoy being kids.

A PHP offers more intensive help than traditional outpatient therapy, without overnight hospitalization. Teens continue to live at home during treatment, staying connected to their family, friends and community. Our program provides day treatment for adolescents (ages 12 to 18), including 18-year-olds enrolled in school.

Our teen PHP is provided at Branches Jamaica Plain, a service of Arbour Hospital, located on the Arbour Hospital campus. Treatment is in person and takes place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (summer hours may vary). Lunch and snacks are provided. Most children participate in our PHP for two to four weeks.

Outpatient Treatment for Teens: Why Choose Us?

We provide a welcoming, inclusive space where children and adolescents can feel comfortable sharing. Our PHP offers:

• Convenient access: Our Jamaica Plain location is directly across from a T stop and close to bus routes. Affordable transportation options for children with MassHealth are available upon request. Our staff makes the arrangements to make life easier for parents.
• Skilled providers: Your child receives care from mental health professionals specializing in this age group. Our staff includes social workers, licensed counselors and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
• Hospital-based care: Arbour Hospital’s adolescent inpatient program provides stabilization if your child is in crisis. Children can transition seamlessly between inpatient and outpatient care as their needs change.
• Flexible scheduling: We offer flexible scheduling so your child can stay involved in after-school and extracurricular activities. We also offer a part-time treatment option while your child transitions back to school.
• Aftercare planning: We set your child up for continued success after they finish the PHP. We provide outpatient counseling or referrals and coordinate individualized education programs (IEPs) and 504 classroom accommodations as needed.

Conditions We Treat in Our Adolescent PHP

We treat a variety of mental and behavioral health issues in children and adolescents, including:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Emotional dysregulation (difficulty managing emotional reactions)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• School avoidance
• Substance use disorder
• Suicidal ideation and self-harm
• Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What to Expect in Our Teen PHP

Your child benefits from the structure and routine of full-day programming. We make treatment engaging and interactive, enabling kids to connect with their peers and practice new skills.

Here’s what a typical day in our group treatment program may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): We help adolescents understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): We use DBT to help adolescents manage their emotional responses, teaching skills such as mindfulness, distress tolerance and building healthier relationships.
• Psychoeducation: Kids learn about mental health and substance use disorders. We offer strategies to help identify triggers and reduce the risk of relapse.
• School tutoring: Teachers at our facility communicate with each student’s school district to provide grade-appropriate lessons. Daily tutoring helps kids keep up with schoolwork during treatment.
• Skill building: Groups discuss topics such as building self-esteem, recognizing personal strengths and managing stress.
• Creative expression: We use a variety of expressive therapies, including art, writing, music and movement, to help teens process trauma and difficult emotions.

Get Help Now

Call 833-322-2687 or schedule an outpatient assessment online.