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 that can provide an alternative to—or transition from—psychiatric inpatient hospitalization. The program is designed for adults who need a high level of support to help manage their symptoms when safety and structure are a concern. Participants attend the program Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., excluding holidays. The usual length of stay is two weeks.

On admission, participants are assigned a psychiatrist and primary clinician who provide comprehensive evaluation, medication management, supportive counseling, and aftercare planning. Participants can expect to meet with their assigned clinicians to support their treatment needs, typically once or twice per week.

Each treatment day consists of four therapy groups with a one-hour break for lunch. Fresh lunch is provided in the UCSF Health Cafeteria. Group therapy at Langley Porter is grounded in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Participants will learn skills to promote mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance with the goals of maintaining safety, improving day-to-day functioning, and decreasing the severity of symptoms.

At the time of discharge, participants may still experience symptoms, but will have the capacity and skills to remain safe in a less structured environment. Following treatment, participants may transition to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or back to previously established outpatient mental health providers. If providers need to be established, the treatment team will assist you with resources for this as well as other resources based on individual needs.

Intensive Outpatient Program

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is an option for people with moderate psychiatric symptoms who need increased support, but are able to structure their time outside of the program and keep themselves safe. Participants attend the program for six weeks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (excluding holidays) in the morning (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) or afternoon (1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.). For additional support, participants have the option to attend a fourth day each week for three weeks on Tuesdays (10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.). The schedule and duration of IOP allows participants to learn and integrate skills in a supportive environment while navigating the stressors of daily life. Participants are often able to continue or resume work or school schedules while attending IOP.

Each treatment day consists of three therapy groups. Group therapy at Langley Porter is grounded in mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Participants will learn skills to promote mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance with the goal of enhancing day-to-day coping and symptom management.

At the time of discharge, most participants experience noticeable improvement in symptoms with the stability and confidence to transition back to their daily lives with the support of previously established outpatient mental health providers. If providers need to be established, the treatment team will assist you with resources for this as well as other resources based on individual needs.

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 are concerned about someone who might be, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988. You may also call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for immediate help.

For hospitals or residential facilities wishing to refer patients to PHP post-discharge, please call us for availability at (415) 476-7400. If we have availability, please use this checklist to help the referral process proceed smoothly and efficiently. Records may be faxed to our confidential fax line at (415) 476-7747.