Partial Hospitalization Program in Massachusetts
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the most intensive level of outpatient mental health care — a structured day program that runs five days per week and provides several hours of therapy, group work, and psychiatric care daily, while allowing patients to return home each evening. At Cedar Hill Behavioral Health in Southborough, our PHP is designed for adults with severe mental health symptoms who need significantly more support than weekly therapy or even an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) can provide, but who do not require 24-hour inpatient hospitalization.
This page describes who our PHP is for, the daily schedule, the therapies we use, and how PHP fits within our broader continuum of care.
Who our PHP is for
Adults entering our PHP are typically managing severe symptoms from one or more of the following conditions:
- Major depressive disorder with significant functional impairment
- Anxiety disorders that have become disabling — generalized anxiety, panic disorder, severe social anxiety
- Bipolar disorder (when stabilized; acute mania requires inpatient care first)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with significant intrusion, avoidance, or hyperarousal symptoms
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) with significant emotion dysregulation
- Mood instability that has not responded to less intensive care
PHP is often the right level of care for someone:
- Stepping down from an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization
- Whose symptoms have escalated past what IOP or weekly therapy can hold
- Whose functioning at home, work, or school has significantly declined
- Who needs a structured daily environment to safely navigate a difficult phase
What we treat is mental health. If your primary concern is substance use disorder or active addiction, we’ll help you identify a program that specializes in that care. We do not provide medication-assisted treatment for substance use.
Schedule and structure
Cedar Hill offers two PHP tracks so adults with different schedules can access the program:
| Track | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Day program | Monday–Friday | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
| Evening program | Monday–Thursday | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
The average length of stay is two to four weeks, with progress reviewed throughout. Length of stay is determined by clinical readiness, not a fixed timer.
A typical day in PHP includes:
- Individual therapy with a licensed clinician — multiple times per week
- Group therapy — process groups, skills groups (often DBT-based), and psychoeducational groups
- Psychiatric care — medication evaluation and management with our prescribers
- Skill-building work focused on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and relapse prevention
- Family involvement when appropriate and the patient consents
- Discharge planning — building the bridge into IOP, outpatient care, and life after the program
Therapeutic approaches our clinicians use
PHP is built on evidence-based methods, selected and combined based on each patient’s diagnosis, symptom pattern, and treatment history.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety, OCD, and insomnia. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and chronic suicidal ideation; particularly valuable for borderline personality disorder. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for chronic anxiety and depression where avoidance has become the dominant pattern. EMDR for processing traumatic memories. Recommended as a first-line PTSD treatment by the American Psychiatric Association and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Psychodynamic therapy for longer-term patterns and relational concerns.
Skills training — emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness — is built into the daily group schedule rather than left to chance.
How PHP fits within our levels of care
Cedar Hill provides three coordinated levels of outpatient mental health care. Patients can move between them as their needs change without starting over with a new provider.
| Level of care | Schedule | Best fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) | 5 days per week, several hours per day | Severe symptoms requiring intensive structure but not 24-hour care |
| Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) | 3–4 days per week, ~3 hours per session | Moderate-to-severe symptoms; step-down from PHP; symptoms beyond weekly therapy |
| Outpatient Program (OP) | Weekly individual sessions, optional group | Stable functioning; ongoing therapeutic support |
Most patients step down from PHP to IOP and then to outpatient care. Continuity of care is one of the main reasons patients choose Cedar Hill — your primary clinician relationship is preserved when possible as you move between levels.
What admission to PHP looks like
Entry into PHP begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment. A clinician reviews your presenting symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, prior treatment, current medications, and treatment goals. From that, the team determines whether PHP is the appropriate level of care, or whether IOP, outpatient care, or referral for inpatient stabilization is more appropriate.
If PHP is appropriate, your treatment team builds a personalized plan. This includes the modalities you’ll work with, the medication plan if applicable, and the goals that will guide your discharge planning from day one.
Insurance and same-day admissions
Cedar Hill accepts most major commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Beacon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Cigna, Harvard Pilgrim, Tufts Health Plan, and UMR. Our admissions team provides free insurance verification before you start, including in-network status, expected copays or coinsurance, and any prior authorization required.
For appropriate candidates, we offer same-day admissions. Calling our admissions line in the morning typically allows for an intake assessment the same day or the next business morning.
Patients without insurance can discuss self-pay options with our admissions team.
Why patients choose Cedar Hill for PHP
- Mental health specialty. We treat mental health conditions exclusively. Our clinicians are not splitting attention across substance use programming.
- Day or evening tracks. Few PHPs in the area offer an evening option for adults who need to maintain part-time work or family responsibilities.
- Three coordinated levels of care. Stepping down to IOP doesn’t mean changing providers, repeating intake, or starting therapy from scratch.
- Veteran-owned, clinically led. Our leadership includes clinicians with direct experience treating PTSD and mood disorders in veteran and civilian populations.
- Medical reviewer oversight. Treatment standards are reviewed by Matthew Howe, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
- Located in Southborough, MA, accessible from MetroWest, Worcester, and Boston via I-90 and I-495.
Frequently asked questions
How is PHP different from inpatient hospitalization?
PHP provides intensive daily treatment but allows patients to return home each evening. Inpatient hospitalization involves 24-hour care in a hospital setting and is reserved for patients at acute risk of harm or who require constant medical or behavioral supervision. PHP is the next step down from inpatient — it offers comparable therapeutic intensity during the day with greater autonomy.
How long does PHP last?
The average length of stay at Cedar Hill is two to four weeks. Length is determined by clinical progress rather than a fixed schedule. Your treatment team reviews progress weekly and discusses with you when stepping down to IOP makes sense.
What does a typical day look like?
Most days include a mix of individual therapy, multiple group sessions, skills training, and time with your psychiatric prescriber. The day program runs 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday. The evening program runs 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm Monday through Thursday.
Can I work or go to school while in PHP?
The day program is full-time and typically requires patients to take leave from work or school. Many patients use FMLA or short-term disability during PHP. The evening program is designed for adults who can maintain part-time daytime responsibilities.
Will I see the same therapist throughout the program?
You’ll have a primary clinician for individual therapy who follows you through the program. Group therapy is led by additional clinicians, exposing you to multiple perspectives. If you step down to IOP or outpatient at Cedar Hill, your primary therapist relationship is preserved when possible.
What happens after PHP?
You’ll have a primary clinician for individual therapy who follows you through the program. Group therapy is led by additional clinicians, exposing you to multiple perspectives. If you step down to IOP or outpatient at Cedar Hill, your primary therapist relationship is preserved when possible.
Does Cedar Hill's PHP treat substance use disorders?
No. Cedar Hill is a mental health treatment center. We treat conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. If your primary concern is substance use, we’ll help you find a program that specializes in addiction treatment.
Making a Referral?
To make a referral to our partial hospital program, please contact us at (508) 310-4580. We work with various providers, including social workers, case managers, and therapists, to ensure a smooth and seamless patient intake process. We are here to answer any questions you may have about the process and provide additional support for those seeking treatment. Our team will work with you to ensure your loved one receives the care they need.
Payment for Care in Massachusetts
Medical Reviewer
Matthew Howe, PMHNP-BC
Board-Certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from Plymouth State University, and MSN degrees from Rivier and Herzing Universities. Specializing in PTSD, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders, with expertise in psychodynamic therapy, psychopharmacology, and addiction treatment. I emphasize medication as an adjunct to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.
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