LPPH Partial Hospitalization Program and Intensive Outpatient Program

Please note:

All services are offered in-person at 1600 Divisadero Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.
PHP or IOP services are offered based on medical necessity admission criteria.

Partial Hospitalization Program

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a voluntary outpatient mental health service for adults with a variety of severe psychiatric symptoms. Participants enroll in PHP when they need a higher level of care to help manage their symptoms, sometimes as an alternative to – or transition from – a psychiatric hospitalization, and when safety and structure are a concern. The program provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and post-treatment planning. PHP is group-based.

Participants learn skills to enhance day-to-day coping and better manage symptoms. Treatment emphasizes mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), as well as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In addition to skills groups, participants receive medication management, brief individual therapy, and case management. The treatment day is 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Participants attend the program for approximately 15 days* and must be completed consecutively. Following treatment, participants typically transition back to their established outpatient mental health providers and any additional resources they identified during their stay.

Intensive Outpatient Program

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) may be an option as a step down from PHP. People may also be referred directly to IOP when symptom acuity does not meet the criteria for PHP. The program is appropriate for people with moderate psychiatric symptoms. Like PHP, IOP provides comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and some post-treatment planning. The program is also group-based. Participants learn skills to enhance day-to-day coping and better manage symptoms. Treatment emphasizes mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT), as well as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). In addition to skills groups, participants receive less frequent medication management, brief individual therapy, and case management.

Given the limited schedule, participants in IOP are better able to structure their time outside of the program and keep themselves safe. Participants attend the program on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for three hours a day (9:00 a.m.–noon or 1:00–4:00 p.m.) for an average of 4–6 weeks*. This schedule often allows participants to continue with work or school schedules. Following treatment, participants typically transition back to their established outpatient mental health providers and any additional resources they identified during their stay.

*Numbers provided are averages. Based on progress in the program, length of treatment may vary. Treatment is preauthorized and regularly reviewed.

Contact us

To request PHP or IOP services, please call our team at (415) 476-7400. We answer and return calls Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Please note that we are not a crisis or emergency service. If you are having suicidal thoughts or concerned about someone who might be, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. You may also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate help.

For hospitals wishing to refer patients to PHP post-discharge, please call us for availability at (415) 476-7400. If we accept the referrals, please fax records to our confidential fax line at (415) 476-7747.