Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
What is the Partial Hospitalization Program?
We offer therapy and services 5 days a week, 6 hours a day to help youth safely manage their emotions and behaviors. The program is designed for preteens and adolescents who are at risk for inpatient psychiatric hospitalization but can live safely at home with intensive support.
Participants meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Seattle Children’s main campus. Most youth will participate for 2 to 3 weeks. The length of participation depends on your child’s needs.
The program requires a high level of involvement from your child and your family. We strongly recommend that caregivers participate in family therapy, parent groups, and peer coaching from parents who have experienced their own children’s mental health challenges. Parents and families also work with a case manager to connect to community resources.
Who can this program help?
We treat children and adolescents ages 13 to 17 with intensive services so they can remain safe at home and in the community. We accept patients with a range of psychiatric diagnoses.
Your child may be eligible if they:
- Were recently admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit or residential treatment and need support that is more intensive than routine outpatient treatment.
- May need to be admitted to the hospital for inpatient treatment for severe psychiatric symptoms.
- Can live safely at home with intensive supports.
- Are able to participate in a group-based program.
How will this program help my family?
The Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program helps children and adolescents and their families with skills for safely managing their emotions and behaviors. Our goal is to support your child’s immediate and longer-term needs while enabling them to remain at home.
Patients may be referred to the program directly from a visit to the Emergency Room instead of being admitted to the hospital. Otherwise, they may be referred to this program after a psychiatric hospitalization.
What to expect
Our experts in child and adolescent mental health will support you and your child throughout their participation in the program. Your child will learn skills and actions to help them manage their emotions and behaviors.
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Patient treatment and participation
This is an intensive program that requires consistent participation. Patients attend the program in person Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Seattle Children’s hospital campus. They take part in individual and group activities, including individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and medication management and/or consultation. Group treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Patients also may engage in creative arts therapies, spiritual care, and other activities to support their health and wellness.
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Family involvement
We offer peer coaching, parent groups, and case management to help you with skills and information to support your child’s care. Patients and their families participate in family therapy with our therapy staff. We will work with you so your child can receive psychiatric medicine as needed.
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Monitoring your child’s progress
We will update you each day on your child’s progress. We will work with you on a treatment plan for your child to keep them on track to meet their goals. If your child is not making progress, we will help to connect you with other programs or community resources that can support them.
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Additional offerings
Our program also provides:
- Snacks and meals throughout the day.
- Coordination with your child’s school so they can successfully transition back to school after leaving the program.
- Coordination with transportation services such as Hopelink, when available, for your child to come to the hospital campus.
Who’s on the team?
Our treatment team is co-directed by licensed clinical psychologist Alysha Thompson, PhD, and child and adolescent psychiatrist Shannon Simmons, MD. Additional team members may include a licensed clinical psychologist, therapists, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a family advocate/case manager, a parent partner, and psychiatry or psychology trainees.
How to get services
We are now accepting referrals from outside providers. Once we receive your referral, we will contact you to schedule a screening and evaluation.
For questions about the Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, you may contact the program by phone 206-987-3344 or by email at AdolescentPHP@seattlechildrens.org.
Clinicians: See how to refer a patient for more information.
For more information about our services, visit How to Get Services.
Resources
The Psychiatric Partial Hospitalizaiton Program is part of Seattle Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine. See more resources for mental health.
Paying for care
This program is available for families covered by Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicaid Managed Care Plans, as well as those with other types of insurance. Learn about paying for care at Seattle Children’s, such as insurance coverage, billing and financial assistance.
In a crisis?
If you, your child, family or friend needs help right away, call or text 988. Chat is another option. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources. The Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States.
Hotlines for Youth (PDF) provides other options for immediate help for children and teens. (Also available in Amharic, Arabic, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.)