Top 25 Evidence-Based Therapies Used in PHPs (Explained for Families)
If you or a loved one has completed inpatient rehab and now wants to step down to a more flexible level of care, you can consider a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP). PHP is an intensive daytime treatment plan with behavioral therapies, effective for mental health and addiction treatment.
EHG of NC in Wilmington offers PHP behavioral therapies to support each patient’s unique needs. Call 910-335-9102 to learn more about PHP therapy, verify your insurance, and take the next steps towards recovery. We also offer Telehealth programs for people living outside of Wilmington.
The Top 25 Evidence-Based Therapies in PHPs
Learn about the types of therapies in PHP mental health treatment to choose the best option for yourself.
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that helps you identify and improve negative thinking and triggers. CBT treats depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. The CBT therapist may provide relief:
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
In PHP, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches individuals to regulate their emotions and responses. You learn simple skills, such as mindfulness, stress management without thoughtlessness, and healthy relationship-building. Professional DBT therapists in Wilmington help individuals with:
3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps individuals respond to uncomfortable thoughts, rather than avoid them. Getting enrolled in therapies in PHP in NC may strengthen you emotionally so you can observe thoughts and feelings without being controlled by them.
ACT treats the following:
Did You Know?
For 1 in 5 U.S. adults living with a mental illness, ACT offers a different path. Not eliminating the pain, but moving toward family, health, and security despite it. 1
4. Exposure Therapy
Exposure therapy is a psychological treatment that involves facing things that individuals normally fear. In a flexible PHP treatment, this happens gradually, with challenges ranging from simple to more complex, and support from a therapist.
It’s commonly applied to treat the following:
5. Behavioral Activation
Behavioral Activation helps individuals get out of withdrawal or low mood by encouraging them to be active. Instead of focusing on motivation, the focus is on action.
This trauma-focused therapy helps:
6. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, uses guided eye movements or similar bilateral stimulation. The individual focuses on distressing experiences, helping the brain reprocess them so they feel less intense.
EMRD is often used to treat:
7. Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)
TF-CBT is a type of partial hospitalization program for teens and adolescents (ages 3–18) experiencing trauma. It helps reduce symptoms like nightmares, avoidance, sudden anger, and ongoing fear reactions.
Caregivers are part of the process, and this involvement helps:2
In North Carolina, NC CTP’s TF-CBT Learning Collaboratives have produced the following outcomes:
| Category | Number |
| TF-CBT Learning Collaboratives Conducted | 6 |
| Therapists Trained in TF-CBT | 280 |
| Clients Enrolled in Treatment | 450+ |
8. Prolonged Exposure Therapy
In PHP, Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy is a type of exposure therapy used to treat PTSD by helping individuals talk about their trauma and face situations they have been avoiding.
PTSD often makes you associate certain triggers with fear and danger, such as:
9. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a structured type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This is suitable for those who have experienced traumatic situations such as:
CPT in PHP addresses the cognitive changes that occur with trauma and helps individuals identify stuck points, such as blame, guilt, or inaccurate beliefs, that maintain emotional distress in trauma.
At a Glance
- Around 6 out of every 100 people (or 6% of the U.S. population) will have PTSD at some point in their lives
- 5 out of every 100 adults (or 5%) in the U.S. have PTSD in any given year 3
Tip: Try reading Cognitive Behavioral Therapy books about recovery and healing. These can help you understand your thoughts and emotions better and prepare you for the process.
10. Family Systems Therapy
Through family systems therapy in PHP, individuals and families learn how they interact with and influence one another in positive ways. These things play an important role in problems:
11. Multifamily Group Therapy
Multifamily group therapy provides an opportunity to learn, share, and reflect together with several families experiencing similar challenges.
Therapies in PHP are commonly used when individuals are struggling with:
12. Attachment-Based Therapy
Attachment-based therapy’s main focus is on experiences they feel in relationships that may still be impacting their current difficulties with anxiety, depression, or relationship problems.
Here are the anxiety disorder statistics among adolescents:4
| Category | Statistic |
| Adolescents with any anxiety disorder | 31.9% |
| Severe impairment among those affected | 8.3% |
| Female prevalence | 38.0% |
| Male prevalence | 26.1% |
| Prevalence across age groups | Similar |
13. Couples Therapy (when appropriate)
Couples therapy provides an opportunity for both partners to explore these issues with a therapist. It helps with communication, conflict management, and reconnection.
At a Glance
Many long-term relationships don’t end because of a single issue; rather, multiple overlapping problems contribute to the breakup. Approximately 40–50% of first marriages end in divorce
Common contributing factors include:
- Ongoing conflict.
- Poor communication.
- Infidelity.
- Financial stress.
- Substance use.
- Lack of emotional or practical support.5
14. Art Therapy
Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses artistic activities, such as:
| Art Therapy | Best For |
| Mental Well-being | Helps improve overall emotional health |
| Approach | Uses nonverbal expression (art) to communicate feelings |
| Conditions Treated | Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, Distress |
15. Music Therapy
Music therapy is a treatment that uses elements such as rhythm, sound, and melody to support an individual’s mental health. A therapist conducts the sessions, which may involve the following:
16. Yoga Therapy
Yoga therapy is a method of using simple yoga practices to improve your health. The main focus is on:
Key Insights:
About 1 in 6 adults practices yoga. Around 80% do it to improve health, and about 30% use it to manage pain.6
17. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) helps people regain the ability to perform daily tasks after illness, injury, or disability.
Occupational therapy treats the following:
18. Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a conversation-based approach that helps individuals work through mixed feelings about change. It’s helpful for:
19. Relapse Prevention Therapy
Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT) is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy for substance abuse treatment that helps people maintain their recovery. The therapy lowers the risk of the following:
Here is what the study shows:7
| Study Follow-up Period | Relapse Rate |
| 6 months | 60.8% |
| 1 year | 61.8% |
20. The 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
12-Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF) is an addiction treatment that supports individuals in their recovery through connection with peer support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
The biggest advantage of 12-Step Facilitation Therapy for addiction is:
21. Contingency Management & Emotional Regulation Skills Therapies
Contingency management is a positive action process, such as staying substance-free or attending sessions, that connects with rewards like:
22. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a therapeutic approach that combines cognitive therapy with mindfulness practices such as
Quick Facts:
The percentage of U.S. adults engaging in mindfulness practices has more than doubled since 2002. It rose from 7.5% to 17.3% in 2022, reflecting the growing role of mindfulness practices in mental health support. 8
23. Stress Inoculation Training
Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is a cognitive-behavioral approach that helps individuals manage stress. It involves teaching people how stress works and how they can manage it to reduce:
24. Social Skills Training
SST is a behavioral intervention aimed at improving social communication skills and interpersonal functioning in individuals with social difficulties.
During sessions, clients practice specific skills such as the following:
25. Psychoeducation Groups
Psychoeducational groups are structured therapy sessions that educate individuals on how to manage mental health conditions. Facilitated by trained professionals, these sessions involve:
Why PHPs Combine Multiple Therapies?
PHPs use several types of therapies because the causes of mental health and addiction are related to a single issue. Many people require multiple levels of support:
Emotional
Behavioral
Medical
Dual diagnosis treatment combines medication treatment and different therapies, such as:
How Can Families Support The Process Of Therapies In PHP?
In a mental health and substance use disorders partial hospitalization program, individuals return home every night, so families are directly involved in recovery.
Here is how you can support a close one during PHP therapy:
Prepare and pack essentials for rehab. Assist your loved one in organizing essential items before admission. Discussing what to bring to rehab can make the packing a lot easier.
Accompany them to family therapy. Staying connected with the treatment team and having open, non-judgmental conversations at home can be helpful.
It’s also important to have a safe home. Maintaining a routine, encouraging healthy living, and minimizing family stress can support the lessons learned in treatment.
Emotional support is just as important. Actively listening, being patient, and being non-judgmental can make your loved one feel supported.
Talking to the care team about warning signs and what to do after PHP, such as step-down programs, can help with a transition back into daily life.
Has your search for partial hospitalization programs in Wilmington left you more confused? Call EHG of NC in Wilmington at 910-335-9102 for details on insurance verification and admission. Get enrolled today!
What Happens In A PHP Program Daily?
The following things happen in a PHP program:
PHP vs IOP vs Inpatient Treatment
These are different levels of care, from most intense to least intense:
Inpatient Treatment (Residential):
You stay overnight at the hospital. All the specialists are available 24/7 to help. This is for serious problems.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP):
You get the treatment without staying overnight. You can continue your daily responsibilities. It’s still strong support, but not a full-time stay.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP):
You attend therapy for a few hours on some days, but you can still work, study, and live your normal life.
Read out the guide: PHP vs IOP for depression treatment for detailed information.
Evidence-Based Therapies Used In PHPs: In A Nutshell…
Recovery is not an overnight fix; it’s about the right combination and support. PHP programs combine research-based therapies that teach people how to manage their thinking, feelings, and behavior and apply these practices in their daily lives.
Overall, therapies in PHP offer a balanced, well-rounded path toward recovery that focuses not just on short-term relief but lasting change. You can contact therapy specialists for the Partial Hospitalization program in Wilmington, NC, at 910-335-9102.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Evidence-Based Therapies Used In PHPs
Regarding evidence-based therapies used in PHPs, people commonly ask:
1. What Are Examples Of Evidence-Based Therapy?
The following are examples of evidence-based therapies:
- Trust-Based Behavioral Intervention (TBRI)
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Multi-Systemic Therapy
- Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
- Systems of Care / Wraparound Services
2. What Is PHP In Therapy?
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in therapy refers to a structured, intensive, outpatient mental health or addiction treatment program. It is like a middle ground between inpatient hospitalization and traditional outpatient therapy.
3. When Is PHP Recommended?
PHP is for those individuals who have severe addiction and mental health issues that might affect their daily functioning. It’s an excellent option for those who need more than weekly therapy sessions but do not require hospitalization.
4. Is CBT Or DBT Better For Me?
Your therapist may suggest Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) based on your symptoms. CBT in NC is very effective for anxiety and depression, and DBT is more effective for self-harm, BPD, and emotional regulation.
Resources
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32791391/
- https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3777640/
- https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/11/nx-s1-5002242/yoga-practice-america-trends-women-men-data
- https://pdf.journalagent.com/kpd/pdfs/KPD-93764-RESEARCH_ARTICLE-YAZICI.pdf
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-effectiveness-and-safety
Medical Disclaimer:
EHG of NC aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please consult your physicians or EHG of NC’s qualified staff.
