PHP vs. IOP: How to Choose the Right Level of Care

If you have been told you need “more than weekly therapy,” you have probably heard two acronyms: PHP and IOP. Both are outpatient levels of care, which means you live at home, or with us in supportive housing, while you attend. The difference is how much structure each one provides.

What is PHP (Day Treatment)?

A Partial Hospitalization Program is the most intensive care available outside a hospital or residential setting. At AIM Health, Day Treatment opens in December 2026 and will meet Monday through Friday, 9am to 2pm. That is 20 or more hours of care each week, plus a weekly one-on-one session with a licensed master’s-level clinician.

PHP is often a good fit when:

• You are stepping down from residential treatment or detox
• Symptoms make school, work or daily routines hard to manage right now
• You need consistent support every day, but not around-the-clock care

What is IOP (Intensive Outpatient)?

An Intensive Outpatient Program offers about 10 hours of care a week. Our IOP groups meet Tuesday through Thursday evenings, from 5 to 8pm, with at least one hour of individual therapy each week. The program runs for 12 weeks.

IOP is often a good fit when:

• You want to keep up with classes or a job while you get support
• You are stepping down from PHP
• Weekly therapy alone is not enough to keep you on track

The real answer: you do not have to decide alone

Choosing a level of care is not a test you can fail. After a confidential assessment, our clinical team recommends a starting point and explains why. Many clients move through more than one level, stepping down from PHP to IOP to outpatient care as they build independence.

The right level of care is the one that gives you enough support to make progress, and enough freedom to practice it.

Next steps

If you are not sure where to start, call our admissions team or compare our programs side by side. We will help you sort it out.