If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 at 988.
When your teen is hurting, it’s hard to know what to do next. Many parents of youth facing emotional or psychological distress feel overwhelmed and unsure about their options. In some cases, outpatient therapy might not feel like enough—but residential care may seem too intensive. That’s where a short-term partial hospitalization program (PHP) can be the right in-between solution.
For families searching for short-term adolescent mental health care in Pasadena, HillsidesCares offers supportive, trauma-responsive options. We provide services that help with crisis stabilization for teens and a program that blends daily clinical care with the comfort of home at night. Our PHP gives teens the safety, structure, and skilled guidance they need to move from crisis to stability—with your family supported every step of the way.
If your teen is struggling and needs more than talk therapy can offer, reach out today. HillsidesCares can help your family find the right path forward.
What is a short-term partial hospitalization program (PHP)?
A partial hospitalization program is a structured, intensive mental health treatment option that provides care during the day while allowing clients to return home in the evening. At HillsidesCares, our short-term PHP supports youth ages six to 17 with five hours of therapeutic programming each weekday on our 17-acre campus.
This model is especially helpful when outpatient therapy hasn’t been enough to support a teen’s emotional or behavioral health, or when they are exiting a residential program and need a bridge to less intensive care.
Short-term PHP differs from longer-term day treatment or outpatient services in a few key ways:
- Clients receive daily group and individual therapy
- Psychiatric services and medication management are included
- Families receive support through weekly family therapy
- The treatment plan is focused on stabilization and skill-building in two to four weeks
Our evidence-based services include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness-based practices to support clients with mood disorders, trauma responses, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more.
When teens need immediate, intensive support
You may be wondering whether a partial hospitalization program is necessary, or whether your teen’s symptoms could resolve with more time or less intensive care.
What qualifies as a mental health crisis that needs PHP?
For example, imagine a 14-year-old with multiple absences from school due to panic attacks. Within one week of attending our PHP, they could begin to use evidence-based practices learned from healthcare professionals to manage their anxiety and go about their school days uninterrupted. For instance, they could use breathing techniques to manage distressing symptoms and may feel safer and more understood during group sessions. Their family may also feel the difference in how they interact with them and may more easily support their child’s recovery.
A mental health crisis doesn’t always mean a teen is at immediate risk of dying by suicide, though it can. It often shows up in sudden or worsening emotional distress that makes it difficult to function in daily life. Warning signs that your teen might need PHP-level care include:
- Expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Panic attacks, severe anxiety, or depression that’s interfering with daily routines
- Uncharacteristic aggression, withdrawal, or emotional outbursts
- Risk-taking behaviors such as running away, unsafe sex, or substance use
- Loss of interest in school, friendships, or family life
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) in 2023 by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 22% of U.S. high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 30% reported poor mental health most of the time.1 These statistics are heartbreaking, but they also highlight how common it is for youth to need immediate support. HillsidesCares can be a compassionate, local alternative to hospitalization for teens in this kind of distress.
How long is a short-term PHP for teens?
A short-term PHP for teens typically lasts about two to four weeks, depending on the individual’s needs and progress. At HillsidesCares, we focus on providing personalized care in a structured and supportive environment, ensuring each teen receives the right level of attention and guidance to help them move forward with confidence.
HillsidesCares’ short-term PHP model for teens in Pasadena
Our short-term adolescent mental health care in Pasadena offers just the right blend of intensity and flexibility. Our partial hospitalization program’s average length of stay is two to four weeks, though the timeline is tailored based on clinical needs. For some teens, this short-term structure is enough to reset and regain a sense of control.
What’s included in HillsidesCares’ short-term model?
Here’s what our typical day in PHP includes:
- Daily group therapy focused on topics like emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and building healthy relationships
- One-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional
- Psychiatric assessments and medication oversight as needed
- Expressive therapies, such as art and music, to support emotional healing
- Mindfulness and movement-based practices to foster body awareness
- Lunch and snacks provided on campus
Many teens also participate in Rock to Recovery sessions, where music becomes a creative outlet for healing and expression.
Will teens receive customized care for their unique needs?
HillsidesCares follows a “no one-size-fits-all approach” to treatment, and our clinicians work with each client to develop a personalized care plan. Every teen is welcomed as they are—with compassion, curiosity, and clinical expertise guiding every step.
Family involvement and discharge planning
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. At HillsidesCares’ partial hospitalization program, we believe strongly in family inclusion. Our PHP with family therapy helps rebuild relationships that may have been strained during a mental health crisis. We support parents and caregivers in understanding their teens’ needs and learning new ways to communicate and connect.
Family involvement in PHP includes:
- Weekly family therapy sessions with a licensed clinician
- Psychoeducation about mental health, trauma, and coping skills
- Skill-building strategies that empower caregivers to support their teen at home
- Weekend programming that may involve multi-family groups or enrichment activities
We also begin discharge planning early. From day one, our team works with families to plan for what’s next. Will your teen benefit from stepping down into intensive outpatient care? Do they need school accommodations or an individualized education program (IEP) update? Is their psychiatrist or therapist looped in?
This forward-thinking approach helps teens transition more smoothly back into school and home life. And for families, it offers the peace of mind that care doesn’t stop the day PHP ends.
What happens after a short-term PHP
After completing a short-term partial hospitalization program, most clients step down into our intensive outpatient program (IOP), which offers therapeutic support three days a week. IOP gives teens the opportunity to continue practicing the skills they gained in PHP—such as self-soothing, cognitive reframing, or boundary setting—while gradually resuming their day-to-day activities.
Some teens may also transition into traditional outpatient care, such as weekly therapy or psychiatric check-ins. Others may be referred to additional services, like school-based supports or wraparound case management.
How does HillsidesCares help families transition from one level of care to another?
We don’t just hand families a discharge summary and send them on their way. We stay connected and collaborative through:
- Customized discharge plans that reflect each teen’s progress and needs
- Coordination with school counselors, outside providers, and community supports
- Access to our aftercare program and alumni resources
- Support around suicide prevention and safety planning
What should families expect after discharge?
Many of our recent graduates complete a short-term PHP followed by some weeks of IOP to help manage their mental health. With support from our team and their families, they often return to school and eventually stay socially engaged through academic clubs and extracurricular activities. They continue to thrive in outpatient care.
Connect with HillsidesCares for a compassionate solution when crisis strikes
When your child is hurting, you deserve support that’s local, responsive, and rooted in empathy. HillsidesCares offers a short-term PHP for teens that gives families in Pasadena, CA, a way to address serious mental health challenges—without uprooting their lives. Our treatment center sits on a serene 17-acre campus, just minutes from home, but worlds away from the stress and chaos that many families are navigating. We’re LGBTQIA+ friendly, trauma-informed, and committed to making care affordable and accessible.
Let HillsidesCares be the partner your family needs during this time. Whether your teen is navigating anxiety, trauma, mood swings, or a recent crisis, help is within reach. Contact HillsidesCares online or call 323.641.4842 today to talk to an admissions team member or schedule a tour. There’s hope on the other side of this moment—and we’re here to help you find it.
Footnote: