603-880-8188
info@directionbehavioralhealth.com
NEWS & UPDATES
NEWS & UPDATES
Partial Hospitalization Program for Children + Teens
Find focused care for your child when neither individual therapy nor inpatient services fit.
Since 2008, our PHP has helped thousands of youth pursue wellness in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, & across New England.
Pursue wellness with a holistic PHP
Join 3,000+ children and their families who’ve taken a new Direction with us
Give your child the support they need with our child and teen Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) at Direction Behavioral Health. Our experienced treatment team is dedicated to guiding your child on their journey to wellness.
Is the PHP right for my child?
For some children and teens, Direction serves as the point of entry to psychiatric care. For others who are already engaged in treatment, it provides crisis stabilization when outpatient treatment alone is insufficient or ineffective. For those kids who do require an inpatient level of care, it serves as a step-down program to provide a smoother transition back into the community.
Beyond New Hampshire and Massachusetts, families travel to us from Maine and Vermont, eager to benefit from the high-quality care we provide to children and young adults.
What is a partial hospitalization program (PHP)?
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a short-term, intensive treatment option designed for children and teens who require more support than traditional outpatient therapy can provide. The program offers routine and structure while allowing them to live at home and continue with their everyday lives.
In contrast to our child and teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), the PHP operates a bit longer each day. We craft individualized treatment plans for each child and teen so they receive the best possible care for their specific circumstances.
How the program works
All children and teens start with a psychiatric evaluation and admission into our PHP. The PHPs meet for 5 hours per day and are designed to immerse your child in Direction’s program and positive group culture.
Kids attend the PHP five days a week for one to several weeks before transitioning to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which runs for three hours daily.
Kids & teens come to us for various reasons. Some of the conditions we treat include:
PHP STRUCTURE
A day in the life at our PHP in Nashua
Our PHP lasts for five hours each day and includes the following services:
Full Psychiatric Evaluation
At the time of intake, our child psychiatrist and nurse practitioner perform a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This type of evaluation is the “gold standard” for diagnosis of mental health problems and creating the right treatment plan for kids. If medication makes sense as part of that treatment plan, it can be started right away, without delay.
Group Therapy
Our group therapy approach is rooted in a treatment model known as Wholeistic Education, developed by Direction’s co-founder, Joe Walsh. The foundation is simple: learn to form and maintain healthy habits and relationships.
Recreational Activities
We provide many different activities, running the gamut from sports and art to music and yoga. We have an in-facility basketball court and full gym with professional exercise equipment. Our facility is situated next to a beautiful trail network where we take daily walks.
Medication Management
When your child attends the PHP, they work with our skilled child psychiatrist and nurse practitioner. Since our team monitors your child throughout the week, they can modify treatment on an ongoing basis.
Parenting Groups
We offer free Parenting Groups, both virtually and in person. During the sessions, we teach Direction’s Wholeistic Education approach and how it can be applied to your family, even in the most difficult situations.
How does the PHP impact school?
We have contracted with Learn Well, a national organization designed to help kids in programs like ours continue (or transition back to) their schooling while at Direction. Our on-site teacher works directly with your child’s school to get the necessary schoolwork and materials and assists them in a classroom-type environment.
The school program meets between 1 and 3 each day and is provided to all kids in the Child PHP and select kids in the Teen PHP.
Two separate PHPs, one for children and one for teens
We offer two PHPs—one for younger and one for older kids.
Child PHP (Ages 7-12)
10 AM – 1 PM: Group therapy, individual meetings, recreational activities
1 PM – 3 PM: Direction’s Schooling
Teen PHP (Ages 12 – 21)
1 PM – 3 PM: Group therapy, individual meetings, recreational activities, or Direction Schooling for select teens
3 PM – 6 PM: Group therapy, individual meetings, recreational activities
Facility
Our facility at Millyard Technology Park is what they call “next level.” With 8,500 square feet, it features recording equipment, instruments, professional exercise equipment, and a basketball hoop.
Program Length
The program's length varies depending on the child or teen, but the PHP usually lasts several weeks. It can be shorter or longer, depending on how much support your child needs.
Discharge Planning
Discharge planning begins upon admission to ensure suitable aftercare arrangements are made prior to completion of the program.
Transportation
The family must provide transportation to and from the program, though some teens may be able to drive themselves.
Clinicians who pair expertise + heart
Dr. Duncan Gill is at the helm of our team and oversees all aspects of the PHP. Working alongside Dr. Gill are highly skilled professionals with a passion for helping teens and a good sense of humor.
TESTIMONIALS
“Best thing I ever did for myself.”
“Best thing I ever did for myself. Changed my life completely for the better. Would recommend to anybody.”
—M.
“Our experience at Direction gave us the gift of maintaining a relationship with our daughter, one that is now healthy and flourishing. The additional twice weekly counseling they provide for parents and caregivers is a huge part of our success as a family.”
—E.O.
Getting your child started with Direction
Starting the process with us is streamlined and straightforward for our children, teens, and their families.
No formal Referral Necessary—just call!
We don't need any particular formal "referral"—simply give us a call.
Intake
- Call to schedule intake
- Caretaker brings the child or teen in for the intake
- We determine if it’s the right fit
If there’s a waitlist, we’ll send resources to use in the interim and reach out when there’s an opening.
Insurance Coverage
The vast majority of insurance plans pay for the program.
BOOK A VISIT
A holistic PHP for New Hampshire & Massachusetts kids + teens
At Direction Behavioral Health, we stand ready to help youth through our child and teen Partial Hospitalization Program. Our patients can return home each night after a day of structured therapy, activities, and learning and practicing healthy habits with our compassionate therapists.
Contact us today for more information or to start the intake process.
LINKS
CONTACT US
Serving families from across New England at our facility in Nashua, New Hampshire:
New Hampshire
Nashua | Merrimack | Manchester | Concord | Seacoast
Massachusetts
Lowell | Tewksbury | Lawrence | Haverhill
Maine