When a teenager is struggling with a mental health concern, finding the right level of support can make an important difference. East Tennessee Behavioral Health offers an adolescent partial hospitalization program (PHP) for teens ages 13-17 who need more structure and support than traditional outpatient therapy can provide.
Our adolescent PHP provides intensive, structured mental health treatment while allowing teens to return home after programming each day. This level of care may be appropriate for adolescents who do not require 24-hour inpatient hospitalization, as well as those who are transitioning from inpatient care and need continued support as they return to their daily routines.
Through age-appropriate programming and individualized treatment planning, we help adolescents strengthen coping skills, manage symptoms, build resilience, and work toward healthier daily functioning.
Adolescent PHP Overview
East Tennessee Behavioral Health’s adolescent PHP serves young people ages 13-17 who are experiencing mental health concerns that are affecting their well-being and daily life.
Our adolescent PHP can support teens who are experiencing:
- Depression and other depressive disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic disorders
- Suicidal ideation
- Co-occurring substance use concerns
Program Schedule & Academic Support
Our adolescent partial hospitalization program meets Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. We understand that parents and caregivers may have questions about how participating in a full-day treatment program will affect their child’s education. Our team can help families with the process of enrolling their child in homebound services, and adolescents are provided with dedicated school time each day while participating in the program.
Partial hospitalization can provide an important bridge between different levels of behavioral healthcare. Adolescents may enter the program without first completing a higher level of care, or PHP may serve as a step-down option following inpatient hospitalization.
Unlike inpatient treatment, a PHP allows adolescents to return home after the treatment day ends. This structure gives teens the opportunity to receive focused behavioral health support while continuing to maintain important connections with their families and home environments.
Features & Services
Every young person who participates in our adolescent partial hospitalization program has unique experiences, strengths, and treatment needs. Our team uses individualized treatment planning to help ensure that each adolescent receives care that supports their specific goals.
Group therapy is an important part of our adolescent PHP. Teens participate in multiple therapeutic groups designed to help them better understand their emotions, develop practical coping strategies, and build skills they can use beyond the treatment setting. Adolescents will also participate in life skills groups that can help them build practical skills and prepare for greater independence as they transition into adulthood.
Group sessions will address topics such as:
- Anxiety and depression management
- Emotional regulation
- Healthy coping skills
- Communication skills
- Healthy relationships and boundaries
- Self-esteem and identity development
- Distress tolerance
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills
The program incorporates evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other empirically supported interventions.
Adolescents will also receive weekly medication management services as part of the program. Families will receive biweekly check-ins, helping them stay informed and involved throughout their child’s care.
By participating in structured therapeutic programming, adolescents can practice healthier ways to respond to difficult emotions, improve communication, and develop skills that support greater stability in their everyday lives.
Benefits of Adolescent Partial Hospitalization
For some teenagers, weekly outpatient therapy may not provide enough support, while inpatient hospitalization may not be necessary. An adolescent PHP offers a level of care between these options.
This structured approach can help young people receive more intensive mental health support while remaining connected to their families and communities. Teens can practice the skills they learn during treatment in their home environment and bring new challenges or successes back into programming as they progress.
Our goal is to help adolescents build a stronger foundation for continued healing and give families greater confidence as their child moves forward.
Continuing Care
At East Tennessee Behavioral Health, we understand that completing a partial hospitalization program is one step in an adolescent’s ongoing mental health journey.
Continuing care planning helps support a smoother transition from intensive treatment to the next appropriate level of care. Our team considers each teen’s individual needs and progress when planning for what comes next.
Depending on the adolescent’s needs, continued support may involve outpatient behavioral health services, community resources, ongoing therapy, or other appropriate services.
Our goal is to help each young person leave the program with practical skills and a plan for continuing the progress they have made.
Admissions Process
Seeking mental health treatment for your child can feel overwhelming, and our team strives to make the admissions process as straightforward and supportive as possible.
East Tennessee Behavioral Health accepts referrals from community resources, and parents or caregivers may also contact us directly to learn more about our adolescent PHP.
An assessment allows our team to learn more about your child’s symptoms, treatment history, current needs, and goals. We can then determine whether our adolescent partial hospitalization program is the appropriate level of care or recommend another option that may better meet your child’s needs.
If the adolescent PHP is appropriate, our team can provide additional information about the next steps for beginning treatment.
Contact East Tennessee Behavioral Health today to learn more about our adolescent partial hospitalization program in Knoxville, Tennessee, and whether PHP may be the right level of support for your child.
Admissions phone: (865) 666-6639
Fax: (865) 219-1387
