Child & Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program(PHP) / Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP).
Personalized Mental Health Care for Children and Teens
The Child & Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at the Institute of Living provide structured, group-based mental health treatment for youth ages 11–17. Youth who are 18 years old may attend if they are still attending high school.
Our physician-led teams bring together child & adolescent psychiatry, group therapy, case management, and family involvement to provide coordinated care tailored to each youth's needs.
What makes our program distinctive:
- Physician-led care: Child & Adolescent psychiatrists are integral members of the treatment team.
- A dedicated treatment team: Each youth and family is assigned a clinician, caseworker, and child & adolescent psychiatrist.
- Small group setting: Groups maintain a maximum ratio of 10 patients per clinician.
- Structured family involvement: Weekly family meetings during PHP, tapering to every other week during IOP.
- School collaboration: Coordination with schools to help youth balance treatment and education.
- Transportation coordination: Assistance exploring available transportation options for eligible families.
Questions about the program or making a referral? Contact the ACCESS Center at 860-545-7200. Referral form link: PHP/IOP Referral Form
A Higher Level of Support When It’s Needed
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides a structured day program averaging 20 hours per week, while our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) averages 15 hours per week. Both programs combine group therapy, family sessions, and medication management as clinically indicated.
These programs provide a higher level of support for youth whose psychiatric symptoms have become too severe or impairing to be adequately managed through routine outpatient treatment, but who do not require 24-hour supervision in an inpatient hospital or residential setting.
Our programs also provide step-down care for youth transitioning from inpatient psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment. This continued support helps youth maintain safety, strengthen coping skills, and build support systems during the transition back to home, school, and community life.
Who We Serve
Youth referred to our program may be experiencing a range of mental health concerns, including:
- Heightened anxiety or symptoms of depression
- Suicidal thoughts or self-injurious urges or behaviors
- Mood changes or difficulty managing emotions
- Symptoms related to previous traumatic experiences
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) alongside other mental health concerns
- Early-onset bipolar disorder
This list is not exhaustive. Each youth's needs are considered individually as part of the clinical assessment and treatment planning process.
Treatment focuses on helping youth better understand their experiences, strengthen emotional regulation, develop effective coping strategies, and build skills to support their well-being at home, at school, and in relationships.
Specialized Support for Youth Experiencing Psychotic Symptoms
For youth experiencing psychotic symptoms, our specialized ASAP Intensive Outpatient Program offers a separate treatment option designed to address their needs.
Learn more about ASAP: Advanced Services for Adolescents with Psychosis (ASAP) | Institute of Living | Hartford HealthCare | CT
A Dedicated Treatment Team
Physician-Led, Collaborative Care
Each youth and family is assigned a primary treatment team consisting of a clinician, caseworker, and child & adolescent psychiatrist. This team works collaboratively with the youth and family to establish treatment goals, coordinate care, and support progress throughout the program.
Our physician-led model brings psychiatric expertise, therapeutic support, and care coordination together in one collaborative team.
Our multidisciplinary team includes master's-level clinicians, bachelor's-level caseworkers, and child & adolescent psychiatrists who work together to support each youth's individual treatment needs.
Personalized Group Therapy
Our program uses an eclectic approach to group therapy, incorporating a variety of therapeutic methods to help youth process experiences, develop coping strategies, and build skills for managing emotional challenges.
With no more than 10 patients per clinician, groups are structured to support meaningful participation, therapeutic engagement, and guidance from clinical staff.
Treatment may address:
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Problem-solving and goal setting
- Self-esteem and self-awareness
- Communication and social relationships
- Family dynamics and healthy relationships
- Sleep hygiene
- Psychoeducation and other therapeutic approaches
- Treatment is tailored to each youth's needs and goals, with the clinical team helping youth practice skills they can apply at home, at school, and in their relationships.
Family-Centered Treatment
Family involvement is an integral part of our treatment approach. We recognize that families play an important role in supporting a youth's progress and reinforcing skills outside the program.
- PHP: Families meet with the treatment team weekly.
- IOP: Family meetings taper to every other week according to the treatment plan.
This structured approach supports communication, helps families reinforce skills learned in treatment, and prepares youth and families for the transition to their next level of care.
School Collaboration and Academic Support
We collaborate with schools and school personnel to help youth balance treatment with their educational needs. When participation in the program requires leaving school early, we work with families and school teams to help coordinate schedules and support the student's continued engagement in school.
At the request of a parent or guardian, our clinicians can participate in school Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, 504 meetings, and provide clinical letters to support communication and coordination between the family, school, and treatment team.
Time is also available during program activities for students to work on homework.
Program Schedule
The program operates five days per week. PHP and IOP schedules vary by season.
During the School Year
- PHP: 12:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
- IOP: 1:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m.
During Summer and the Last Week of December
- PHP: 9:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m.
- IOP: 10:00 a.m.–12:50 p.m.
Example Schedule
Length of Treatment
The average length of treatment is approximately 8–12 weeks, depending on each youth's clinical needs and progress. PHP typically lasts about four weeks, followed by IOP for approximately four to six weeks when clinically appropriate. The duration may vary based on individual treatment needs.
The program is closed on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Meals
A light lunch is provided during the school-year PHP schedule. Breakfast and lunch are provided during the summer program schedule.
Transportation Support
We recognize that transportation can be an important part of accessing treatment. Families may transport their youth to and from the program. Program van transportation may also be available based on referral, designated service area, and space.
Current van service areas include:
- Hartford: Pickup and drop-off
- Wethersfield: Pickup and drop-off
- Newington: Pickup only
A dedicated transportation coordinator helps eligible families arrange Connecticut medical cab transportation, including assistance with paperwork, scheduling, and communication with transportation services.
Youth ages 12 and older with Medicaid coverage through HUSKY A may qualify for medical cab transportation, subject to program and transportation requirements.
Medication Management and Psychiatric Care
Child & adolescent psychiatrists are integral members of the treatment team. Each youth's psychiatric needs are considered as part of treatment planning, and medication may be prescribed or adjusted when clinically indicated.
Youth and families work with their assigned treatment team to coordinate psychiatric care and address treatment goals throughout the program.
Insurance and Payment
The program accepts most traditional and managed care insurance plans, including Medicaid managed care/HUSKY plans. Families are encouraged to contact the ACCESS Center at 860-545-7200 with questions about coverage and referral requirements.
Intake and Admission Process
The intake process begins with an appointment involving the youth and family, a caseworker, and a clinician. During intake, the team gathers information, completes required paperwork, discusses treatment goals, and determines whether the program is an appropriate fit.
If admission is recommended, the team coordinates a start date and reviews next steps with the family. Youth meet with a child & adolescent psychiatrist by the second program day.
Typical intake appointment times are 9:00 a.m. during the school year and 1:00 p.m. during the summer.
How to Make a Referral
Referrals are accepted from community providers, urgent care centers, emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, residential programs, and families seeking support.
To discuss a referral or learn more about the program, contact the ACCESS Center.
Phone: 860-545-7200
Referral form: PHP/IOP Referral Form
Our team can help explain the referral process and next steps.
Group Rooms
Group rooms are created to provide a comfortable space for youth.
Location
The program is located on The Institute of Living campus, in the Braceland Building, 1st Floor.
200 Retreat Avenue
Braceland Building, 1st Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
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