The partial hospitalization program (PHP) at Villa Treatment Center serves with full-day structured treatment for mental health and addiction recovery. Five to six hours per day, five days per week, with clients living at home or in supportive housing. Most major insurance is accepted, and admissions answer 24/7.
Who PHP is for
Partial hospitalization is the most intensive level of outpatient care, sitting between full residential treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP). PHP is the right level of care when you need full-day clinical structure but do not need 24-hour residential supervision.
The program is most often the right fit for:
- Step-down from residential treatment, continuing intensive structure as you transition out of inpatient care
- Step-up from IOP or weekly outpatient, when symptom intensity needs more daytime clinical support than IOP provides
- People in acute mental health episodes who do not require hospitalization but need daily clinical observation
- People with severe symptoms who can safely live at home overnight (or in supportive sober living)
- People with co-occurring mental health and substance use, PHP supports integrated dual-diagnosis treatment
- People stepping down from a psychiatric hospitalization, PHP is a common bridge from inpatient psychiatric care back to the community
- Adults 18+ with stable evening housing and the ability to attend programming consistently
PHP is not the right fit when symptoms require 24-hour clinical observation, medical detox, or when there is no safe place to be at night. Admissions and the clinical team determine the right level during the initial assessment, and step-up to residential is available if PHP turns out not to be enough.
What PHP Looks Like at Villa
Villa Treatment Center’s PHP runs five to six hours per day, five days per week, typically Monday through Friday. Most clients attend PHP for 2 to 4 weeks before stepping down to IOP, though length varies based on clinical need.
A typical day includes:
- Morning check-in and goal setting, brief individual contact with primary clinician
- Process group therapy, structured group sessions led by licensed clinicians
- Skills group, DBT, CBT, relapse prevention, or psychoeducation depending on the curriculum that day
- Individual therapy, one-on-one sessions weekly or more frequently as needed
- Psychiatric medication management, regular appointments integrated into the program day
- Lunch and structured break time, community time and informal peer support
- Family and couples sessions, scheduled when family involvement is part of the treatment plan
The first appointment runs 90 minutes and covers a full clinical assessment, validated screening for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and other conditions, medical and medication review, and a recommended treatment plan. Most clients are scheduled within the same week.
PHP is delivered in-person at our Woodland Hills facility. Telehealth is available for certain individual sessions and medication appointments, but the core group programming requires on-site attendance.
Conditions and Concerns We Treat Through PHP
Villa’s PHP is integrated for mental health and addiction, the same program supports both, with clinicians trained in dual-diagnosis treatment.
Conditions and concerns commonly addressed in PHP include:
Major depression, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, postpartum depression
Anxiety disorders, generalized anxiety, panic disorder, severe social anxiety
PTSD and trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD, and acute trauma responses
Bipolar disorder, bipolar I, bipolar II, particularly in step-down from a manic, depressive, or mixed episode
ADHD with co-occurring conditions, ADHD presenting with significant mood, anxiety, or substance use
Substance use disorders, alcohol, opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines; PHP is often the first level of care after medical detox
Co-occurring disorders, dual diagnosis treatment where mental health and substance use are addressed simultaneously
Step-down from residential or psychiatric hospitalization, PHP provides the structure needed for safe transition
Therapies and Modalities Offered
PHP at Villa is built around evidence-based therapies with strong research support.
Modalities are matched to each client’s specific situation and integrated across daily group, individual, and family programming:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) first-line treatment for depression, anxiety, and substance use
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness; particularly important in PHP for clients with mood instability or self-harm risk
- Trauma-focused therapy (EMDR, prolonged exposure, CPT) for trauma underlying mental health or substance use
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) values-based behavior change
- Relapse prevention curriculum structured weekly groups for substance use clients
- Psychoeducation daily sessions on conditions, medication, coping skills, and recovery
- Group therapy process groups, skills groups, condition-specific groups
- Individual therapy weekly minimum, more frequent as clinically indicated
- Family therapy and couples sessions see family therapy programs
- Psychiatric medication management board-certified psychiatrists manage medications throughout PHP
Clinicians are licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). The program is medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Scott, MD, our medical director. Villa Treatment Center was founded by Georgia Frabotta, who brings over 23 years of personal recovery experience to the program.
Step-Up and Step-Down Options
PHP is one part of a continuum of care.
Most clients move between levels of care during their treatment journey:
Step-up to residential treatment, when symptoms become severe, when home is not stable, when there is suicidal ideation requiring 24-hour monitoring, or when medical detox is needed
Step-down to intensive outpatient program (IOP), most PHP clients step down to IOP after 2-4 weeks; IOP runs 3 hours/day, 3 days/week
Step-down to outpatient therapy, weekly or biweekly sessions plus medication management, often after IOP completion
Aftercare and alumni support, long-term connection through alumni programs and aftercare planning
The clinical team coordinates transitions across levels so the treatment plan stays continuous as level of care changes. Many clients move from residential to PHP to IOP to outpatient as a planned step-down sequence.
Insurance, Cost, And Admissions
Villa Treatment Center is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross of California, Health Net, and MHN, and works with most other major carriers on an out-of-network basis. PHP is typically covered under the behavioral health benefit. Coverage is often strongest when documented as medically necessary, particularly when stepping down from residential or hospitalization.
Verification takes 15 minutes by phone or 24 hours by online form. Self-pay rates and payment plans are available, and admissions can walk through what your specific plan covers and what your out-of-pocket costs would be on the same call.
To start: call (818) 639-7160 or use the insurance verification form. Same-week PHP intakes are usually available; the clinical assessment determines the right start date and program structure.
Serving Woodland Hills, The San Fernando Valley, and Greater Los Angeles
Villa’s facility sits on Hood Drive in Woodland Hills, about a mile north of the 101 and accessible from Calabasas, Tarzana, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, West Hills, Canoga Park, Reseda, Van Nuys, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Glendale, and the broader San Fernando Valley.
PHP requires daily on-site attendance, so the program works best for clients who can commute to Woodland Hills five days per week. For clients who cannot manage the daily commute, our IOP program may be a better fit, with telehealth tracks available across California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
PHP is the most intensive level of outpatient care, running 5 to 6 hours per day, 5 days per week. Clients receive intensive group therapy, individual therapy, and psychiatric care during the day, then return home (or to supportive housing) in the evenings. PHP sits between residential treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP) on the continuum of care.
How is PHP different from IOP?
PHP is more intensive: 5-6 hours per day, 5 days per week. IOP is 3 hours per day, 3 days per week. PHP is for clients who need full-day clinical structure but do not need 24-hour residential care. IOP is for clients who can maintain work, school, or family responsibilities while attending a few sessions per week. Many clients step down from PHP to IOP after 2-4 weeks as part of their treatment plan.
How long does PHP take?
Most PHP programs run 2 to 4 weeks at the partial-hospitalization level, after which clients typically step down to IOP for an additional 8 to 12 weeks. Specific length varies based on clinical need, treatment response, and step-down readiness.
Can I work or attend school during PHP?
No. PHP runs full days, five days per week, and is not compatible with most work or school schedules. PHP is designed as a short-term intensive intervention, after which clients typically step down to IOP, which does allow continued work or school. If you need to maintain work or school commitments, IOP may be a better starting point.
Does PHP treat mental health, addiction, or both?
Villa’s PHP is integrated for both. The same program supports clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, substance use disorders, and dual-diagnosis (co-occurring) presentations. Clinicians are trained in both mental health and addiction treatment, and treatment plans are individualized to each client’s situation.
Does insurance cover PHP?
Most major insurance plans cover PHP under the behavioral health benefit. Aetna, Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, Health Net, MHN, and others are commonly accepted. PHP is typically well-covered when documented as medically necessary, particularly when stepping down from residential or psychiatric hospitalization. Verification takes 15 minutes; call (818) 639-7160 or use the form.
What happens after PHP?
Most clients step down to IOP (intensive outpatient program), then to weekly outpatient therapy plus medication management. The clinical team works with each client on a personalized step-down plan during their final week of PHP. Long-term aftercare and alumni support continue beyond formal treatment.
Do I need a referral?
No. Most insurance plans do not require a referral for behavioral health services, though some HMO plans do. Call (818) 639-7160 or use the verification form and admissions will confirm during the insurance check.