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Rehabs in Orange County

Levels of care

Partial hospitalization (PHP) in Orange County

PHP is full-day treatment while you sleep at home or in sober living. It is the most intensive kind of outpatient care, often a step down after residential treatment.

How PHP works

PHP usually runs about 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, for a few weeks. You attend group and individual therapy, see a clinician for medication if needed, and go home in the evening. Many people in Orange County pair PHP with a sober living home.

PHP vs IOP

PHPIOP
HoursAbout 20 or more a weekAbout 9 to 15 a week
ScheduleDaytime, most weekdaysDay or evening, 3 to 5 days
Work or schoolUsually pausedOften possible
Typical next stepIOPOutpatient

A typical PHP day

TimeWhat happens
MorningCheck-in and process group
Late morningSkills group, such as CBT or DBT
MiddayLunch and a break
AfternoonIndividual therapy, family session or psychiatry visit
Late afternoonRelapse prevention or wellness group, then home

Who PHP is for

  • People stepping down from residential who still need daily structure
  • People with co-occurring mental health needs who need close support
  • People who do not need 24/7 care but whom outpatient has not helped enough

PHP and housing

Because PHP takes most of the day, it works best with a stable, sober place to live. In Orange County, many people attend PHP while staying in a sober living home. Ask the program how they help with housing, and whether they have any financial relationship with homes they recommend.

Questions to ask a PHP

  • How many hours a day, and how many weeks?
  • Is a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner part of the team?
  • Do you provide transportation?
  • What happens when PHP ends?

Licensed outpatient programs in Orange County

110 of 110 licensed or certified programs

Source: California DHCS licensing data, retrieved November 9, 2026. Listings are free and shown alphabetically by city. Confirm a license on the DHCS website before you choose.

Before you call a program

  • Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
  • Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
  • Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
  • Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.

More questions to ask →

Frequently asked questions

Is PHP covered by insurance?

Most plans cover PHP when it is medically necessary. Ask your insurer whether prior authorization is needed.

Can I do PHP while working?

Usually not full-time. If you need to work, ask about IOP or evening programs.

How long does PHP last?

Often 2 to 4 weeks, then a step down to IOP.

Is PHP the same as day treatment?

Yes, PHP is sometimes called day treatment.

Keep reading

Last reviewed November 9, 2026. General information only, not medical advice. In an emergency call 911.

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