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Choosing the Right Path: Partial Hospitalization Program vs. Intensive Outpatient Program for Your Recovery Journey

When embarking on a journey to recovery, understanding the mental health care options available can be both empowering and overwhelming. At SunCloud Health, located in the Chicago area, we offer comprehensive mental health treatment programs designed to support individuals throughout the various stages of their treatment process. Two of the most popular intensive treatment options are the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). By exploring the key differences between an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization program, you can make an informed decision about which program might be best suited for your needs.

Understanding Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization Programs

Before diving into the differences, it’s important to understand what Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) options entail and the type of care they provide for various mental health conditions.

What is a PHP Program?

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a structured mental health treatment program that offers comprehensive support for individuals dealing with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, self-harm, anxiety disorders, or other co-occurring conditions. PHP programs typically provide a higher level of care compared to outpatient services, offering intensive therapeutic sessions that teach valuable coping skills training while allowing participants to return home in the evenings.

Key features of a PHP program at SunCloud Health include:

  • Intensive Therapy: PHP provides a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy support groups to address various aspects of a participant’s mental health and addiction challenges.
  • Medical Supervision: Participants receive regular assessments and monitoring by medical professionals to oversee any medication management needs or physical health concerns.
  • Structured Environment: The program runs for several hours a day, typically five days a week, providing a structured environment that helps individuals focus on their recovery.

What is an IOP Program?

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a step-down level of care from PHP or inpatient treatment, allowing individuals to continue their recovery journey with more flexibility and independence. IOP programs are ideal for those who have made progress in their recovery but still require structured support to maintain their momentum and relapse prevention.

Key features of an IOP program at SunCloud Health include:

  • Flexible Scheduling: IOP sessions are held several times a week, often in the evenings or weekends, allowing participants to maintain work, attend school, or honor family commitments.
  • Therapeutic Support: Like PHP, IOP offers individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy but with a reduced intensity to accommodate participants’ daily responsibilities.
  • Peer Support Groups: Participants can connect with others who are also in recovery, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding.

PHP vs. IOP: Key Differences

While both PHP programs and IOP programs offer valuable support for individuals in recovery, they differ in several key aspects that may influence your decision when seeking mental health treatment:

Level of Care

One of the primary differences between PHP and IOP programs is the level of individualized care provided. A PHP program is more intensive, offering daily support and therapy for several hours each day. This makes PHP suitable for individuals who require close monitoring and a structured behavioral health environment to address their mental health or addiction challenges. In contrast, IOP services provide a lower level of care, offering flexibility for individuals who have already made significant progress in their recovery.

Structure and Schedule

PHP programs operate on a more structured schedule, with participants attending individual and group therapy sessions and activities during the day and returning home in the evenings. This structure helps individuals establish a routine and focus on their recovery without the distractions of daily life. On the other hand, IOP programs offer more flexibility, with sessions scheduled at various times to accommodate participants’ personal commitments. This makes IOP ideal for individuals who need support but can manage their daily responsibilities.

Intensity of Comprehensive Treatment

The intensity of treatment in PHP is higher compared to IOP, with participants engaging in multiple therapy sessions and activities each day. This intensive treatment approach is beneficial for individuals who require more comprehensive care and support to address complex mental health or addiction issues. In contrast, IOP offers a less intensive approach, allowing participants to gradually transition to independent living while still receiving necessary support.

Choosing the Right Program for Your Recovery

Deciding between a PHP and IOP program depends on various factors, including your current stage of recovery, personal responsibilities, and mental health care treatment goals. Here are some considerations to help guide your decision:

Assess Your Mental Health Care Needs

Evaluate your current mental health or addiction challenges and consider the level of care you require. If you need intensive support and monitoring, a PHP treatment program may be more suitable. However, if you have already made progress and need ongoing support to maintain your recovery, an IOP program may be a better fit.

Consider Your Responsibilities

Think about your work, school, and family commitments and how each program’s schedule aligns with your responsibilities. If you need flexibility to manage daily tasks, an IOP program may be more accommodating. However, if you can commit to a structured schedule, PHP can provide the intensive care needed for recovery.

Consult with Professionals

At SunCloud Health, our experienced mental health professionals can help you determine the most appropriate program for your needs. Through a comprehensive assessment, our treatment team will work with you to understand your unique situation and recommend the best treatment path.

SunCloud Health Treatment Center: Supporting Your Recovery Journey

At SunCloud Health, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized care to support individuals on their recovery journey from substance abuse, eating disorders, mood disorders, and/or co-occurring conditions. Our PHP and IOP programs are designed to meet the diverse needs of our clients, offering evidence-based therapies, relapse prevention programming, medication management, individual and group counseling, and a supportive community to foster healing and growth.

Whether you choose a PHP or IOP program, you can trust that our treatment team at SunCloud Health will be with you every step of the way, helping you achieve lasting, long-term recovery and improved well-being.

Start Your Mental Health Recovery Journey Today

Choosing the right path in your recovery journey is crucial to achieving your goals and building a healthier future. By understanding the differences between inpatient care and outpatient treatment programs, you can make an informed decision about the level of care that best suits your needs. At SunCloud Health, we are committed to providing the support and resources you need to succeed in your recovery journey. Our expertise includes intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization programs, residential treatment, and continuing care services for a wide range of common and more severe mental health conditions, including substance abuse, anxiety disorders, eating disorder(s), psychiatric services, and more.

If you or a loved one are considering a PHP treatment or IOP program in the Chicago area, or would like more information on our inpatient care and residential treatment center, contact SunCloud Health today to learn more about our comprehensive mental health treatment options and how we can support your journey to recovery.

Rachel Collins, LCSW
Site Director of Northbrook PHP and IOP

Rachel Collins, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Northbrook Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for both adolescents and adults. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. She has since worked in a wide range of settings, including inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, therapeutic group homes, and private practice. Rachel specializes in treating trauma (using Cognitive Processing Therapy) and anxiety, practicing through a relational, compassionate, and client-centered lens. She is passionate about creating a therapeutic space in which clients feel safe and able to explore various parts of themselves with curiosity as opposed to judgement. In addition to her leadership and clinical work, she is passionate about creating art, and learning about the intersection between creativity and mental health.

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW
Site Director, Naperville PHP/IOP (Adolescents & Adults)

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Naperville Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for adolescents and adults. She brings extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations, and specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, substance use, family systems, forensic populations, and individuals in crisis.

Kayla has worked in a wide range of clinical and community settings, including community-based interventions, police crisis response, correctional facilities, inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, and with vulnerable and underserved populations. In addition to her clinical and leadership work, she is passionate about providing mental health education and advocacy within the community.

Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Aurora University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Forensic Social Work, also at Aurora University. Her clinical approach is evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative, emphasizing collaboration and individualized care.

Driven by a personal mission to meet individuals where they are, Kayla is committed to helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood. She strives to create a natural and empathetic healing environment while ensuring individuals from all backgrounds and identities know they are not alone and have access to meaningful resources and support.

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services
Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award. Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita came to Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders. Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making. She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!   VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services  
Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.

VIDEO: 2. Meet Lacey Lemke, PsyD.