IOP vs PHP: Therapy’s best-kept secrets that you’re gonna want to know about.
You’ve been doing therapy to get better, but it feels like you’re talking in circles. You’re not seeing progress, and that can be so frustrating, we know. The only other treatments you’ve ever really heard about seem like some internet scam or are just another self help book (neither of which feels like the right option for you right now.)
Questions answered in this article:
- How do I know if weekly therapy is actually working?
- Are there other options available, and how would they help?
- What if I’ve never tried therapy before but something feels off?
- Who can I call to get the support I truly need to feel better?
Sometimes therapy more than once-a-week just isn’t enough…
When did once-a-week therapy become the default option for solving our mental health crisis? The reality is, weekly 1:1 therapy is better fit for keeping progress you’ve already made, not for making meaningful changes from the ground up (read about why everyone’s therapy needs are different). That kind of therapy is for people who are already in a good place and working to stay there, not for those trying to build something new.
What you need is a jumpstart. Some real change. And that takes time, effort, and daily practice. It’s not easy—and yeah, it can feel humbling because you’re not “there” yet (wherever “there” is for you), but growth is a process we all have to go through so we don’t spend our lives feeling stuck. Being able to enjoy the little things is so underrated and we want to help you get there.
So the big question you might not have even asked yourself yet is: what’s available between base level and worst-case scenario in mental health programs? We’re showing the world that therapy isn’t black and white (it’s our biggest mission right now.) Therapy has started going mainstream. It’s been accepted, but it’s still misunderstood. So, let’s give you all the information you need to take your mental health awareness to the next level and get you the results you have been looking for (way faster than the old-fashioned way will.)
Want to get to know therapy on a different level?
You probably know the base level (1:1 therapy 1x a week) and hospital care (living in the hospital for a varied amount of time), but in between the two there are two options not a lot of people know about:
- IOP (Intensive Outpatient Therapy), and
- PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs)(we’ll stick to PHP cause it’s a mouthful, and also there aren’t hospitals involved)
IOP is group therapy you can go for a couple of hours a day for a couple of days a week. That’s the next step up from traditional once-a-week 1:1 therapy (we know— ‘group therapy’ can sound so cringe but our clients would say otherwise.) At your own speed, you can build meaningful connections and find real relief by working alongside others who are navigating similar challenges (no matter how isolating your situation feels.)
PHP’s a step up from IOP and below the need for hospital care. It’s similar to IOP, just with more support and more days a week. That means longer sessions that can give you the space you need from the real world when you’re really going through it (since your mental health is affecting the day-to-day.)
What are the main differenceces between IOP and PHP?
Note: these details are specific to how we do things at Sanare.
| IOP | PHP | |
| Time Commitment | 9 hrs/week, 4 days | 30 hrs/week, 5 days |
| 1:1 Therapy Sessions In Addition to Group | Individual sessions included with speciality programming, Trauma and DBT | Individual sessions included |
| Group vs. Individual | Group, sometimes with individual processing sessions | Group therapy daily with individual sessions weekly for treatment planning and medication appointments Individual: Medication appointments, check-ins, treatment planning, etc. |
| Focus Areas | Skills Focus: Coping habits/tools, utilizing action oriented activities and movement to experience change in the session Processing: Day to day, thought patterns Builds coping skills and assist with deep processing | Skills Focus: Building coping habits/tools, practicing with others, vocalizing experience with new skills Builds coping skills and assist with deep processing |
| Typical Group Size | Typically no more than 6-8 group members | Typically no more than 8-10 group members |
| Specialties | Mental Health, LGBTQIA+, Trauma, DBT, Dual Diagnosis, Tween, Adolescent, Young Adult, and Adult | Mental Health, Trauma Informed, Adolescent and Adult |
| Weekly Schedule | 4 groups/week; 1 individual in place of a group session (for Trauma and DBT only) | Daily groups; Check-ins, experiential activities and processing, group support, learning and practicing new skills,, and family support |
Don’t wait for things to get worse or for hospitalization to become the only option. We’re here to help you make lasting changes, so you can get back to living your life. If you have any questions (so fair—it’s a lot to take in), find our number below and give us a quick call—we’re your hotline.
What if you haven’t tried therapy but you’re “therapy curious”?
Mental health struggles are becoming more common in the United States, with nearly 25% of adults navigating conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. And that’s just the percentage of people who’ve taken the step to seek help.
But here’s the thing: most of us didn’t grow up learning about mental health. If our parents didn’t have the tools or knowledge to teach us, how are we supposed to figure out if what we’re feeling is ‘normal’ or a sign that something’s not quite right?
And the honest truth? Most of us could benefit from taking a little time to get to know more about mental health—and ourselves.
What does your mental health look like right now?
These struggles often look the same: energy drops, hobbies fade, and it starts to affect your relationships, work, and self-worth. Many mental health challenges can make you feel disconnected from your life and the people around you.
Here’s a general idea of what this might look like, but everyone’s experience is unique:
- Anxiety disorders—panic attacks, constant worry, or feeling on edge
- Depression—persistent sadness or loss of interest that lingers for weeks (we also have a blog post about all the best therapies for depression)
- Bipolar disorder—shifting between depressive lows and manic highs
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)—flashbacks, heightened fear, or avoiding triggers
- Eating disorders—gaining a sense of control through your eating habits when you’re feeling overwhelmeddiffer from case to case but often come with serious health risks
- Schizophrenia—struggling with hallucinations and voices that don’t feel like your own which can affect both lifespan and quality of life, though effective treatments exist
- And other dissociative, disruptive, or neurodevelopmental disorders
Each year, more people take the step to understand what’s going on in their minds by seeking mental health care. With a lot of different treatment options and countless workplace insurance benefits, it’s easier than ever to find your way forward.
Reach out to our friendly admissions team to get your questions answered and schedule an evaluation. We hope now that you have all the information about your options, you can feel more in control as you collaborate with a therapist to find what you need to feel better. We’ll help you take the first steps toward the change that you’ve been looking for (so you don’t have to feel stuck forever.)
How can you contact Sanare Today for a more information or an evaluation?
Here’s what you can expect from your sign up process:
- You’ll call in, and our admissions team will help you schedule your initial consultation within 48 hours
- During your in-person or virtual consultation, one of our therapists will help determine which program (or trusted partner) will be the best fit for you
- You’ll show up to your first session (probably a little freaked out, and that’s totally fine), listen to others’ stories, and start gaining tools you can apply that same day
We’re rooting for you!
Sanare Today offers our clients in-person and online appointments in the following areas: Wilmington, DE; North Wilmington, DE; Raleigh, NC; Philadelphia, PA and nine surrounding areas. Virtual IOP (intensive outpatient) services in Delaware and Pennsylvania are available too.