Day treatment programs are structured, intensive therapy options designed for those in recovery who need daily therapeutic support but cannot commit to inpatient care. They are also referred to as partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and typically meet 5 to 6 days per week for 6 to 8 hours a day.
Day treatment programs balance structure and flexibility, acting as a bridge between inpatient and outpatient care. They typically include individual therapy, group counseling, and educational workshops tailored to each participant’s specific needs.
Read on to learn more about day treatment programs and whether they’re the right fit for your recovery needs.
How Does Day Treatment Work?
Day treatment programs are designed to provide a comprehensive continuum of care with a high level of daily clinical supervision. Individual therapy sessions allow clients to work closely with a licensed therapist on personal challenges, triggers, and coping strategies, while group therapy fosters peer support, accountability, and the development of interpersonal skills.
Educational workshops often cover topics such as relapse prevention, stress management, healthy lifestyle habits, and life skills, equipping clients with practical tools to support long-term recovery. In addition to therapy and education, day treatment programs often incorporate holistic and recreational services.
By attending therapy during the day and returning home in the evenings, clients can apply coping strategies in real-world settings and receive support if challenges arise. This balance of intensive treatment and real-life practice makes day programs an ideal option for those who They need more support than what standard outpatient therapy provides, but they do not require 24-hour inpatient care [1].
Day Treatment Programs vs. Half-Day Treatment vs Traditional Outpatient Care
When exploring outpatient treatment options, there are several levels of care that may benefit you depending on your individual needs.
| Program | Day Treatment (PHP) | Half-Day Treatment (IOP) | Outpatient Treatment |
| Duration | 6 to 8 hours per day, 5 days per week | 3 to 4 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week | 1 to 2 hours per session, 1 to 3 sessions per week |
| Level of Care/Intensity | High intensity, structured daily programs | Moderate intensity, flexible yet structured partial day | Low intensity, high level of flexibility |
| Therapy/Services | Individual therapy, group therapy, skill-building workshops, psychoeducation, and relapse preventions | Individual and group therapy sessions | Usually just individual therapy sessions, sometimes group |
| Best For | Individuals who need a high level of care but not 24-hour inpatient care | Individuals who need moderate support, more than outpatient | Individuals with mild to moderate symptoms who are stable but need extra weekly support |
Who Can Benefit from Day Treatment?
Day treatment is ideal for those who need a moderate to high level of support but without needing around-the-clock inpatient care. It can act as both a step-down from residential treatment or a step-up from traditional outpatient care.
This level of care offers consistency and accountability, helping individuals make meaningful progress without fully stepping away from daily responsibilities such as family or work. This balance between intensive care and independence can foster confidence, resilience, and long-term success.
Individuals who can benefit from day treatment include:
- Those who need more support than weekly outpatient therapy
- Those transitioning from inpatient or residential treatment
- People experiencing worsening symptoms but who do not require 24/7 supervision
- Clients seeking structured care while maintaining home, work, or school commitments
What To Expect in Day Treatment at Trinity Wellness Group
Half- and Full-Day Scheduling
Our half-day and full-day programming options are designed to meet clients where they are, whether balancing work, school, or family responsibilities. Morning and evening sessions are intentionally structured to support working adults and busy college or university students.
This approach promotes consistent care while reinforcing the idea that recovery is not separate from life; it can be built alongside it.
This flexibility allows clients to stay engaged in treatment without stepping away from their daily commitments, supporting long-term stability and sustained recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Our clinical programming is grounded in evidence-based practices proven to support addiction recovery. We integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients understand patterns of thinking, regulate emotions, and build healthier coping strategies.
Each week focuses on one of the four DBT skills, such as distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, or interpersonal effectiveness. These give clients practical tools they can apply immediately in daily life. This structured, skills-based approach supports both short-term stabilization and long-term change.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a cornerstone of recovery and healing. In a facilitated, clinically safe environment, clients connect with others who understand the realities of addiction and recovery. Groups are designed to foster accountability, reduce isolation, and encourage shared learning through lived experience.
Family Therapy and Education
Addiction impacts the entire family system, not just the individual. Our family therapy and educational services help loved ones better understand addiction as a health condition while learning how to support recovery in healthy, sustainable ways.
Through guided sessions and psychoeducation, families gain communication tools, boundary-setting skills, and insight into the recovery process, strengthening relationships and creating a more supportive environment for long-term healing.
Trauma-Informed Care
We recognize that many individuals in recovery have experienced trauma that continues to shape their nervous system, relationships, and coping patterns.
We train our staff in the core principles of trauma-informed care, which include safety, transparency, collaboration, empowerment, and choice. The facility and all interactions are intentionally designed to avoid re-traumatization while supporting trust, autonomy, and emotional safety throughout the recovery process.
We also offer trauma-focused therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which uses bilateral stimulation via guided eye movements to help process and integrate traumatic memories stored deep in the brain [2].
Medication-Assisted Treatment
For some individuals, medication can play an important role in stabilizing brain chemistry and reducing cravings for drugs and alcohol. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is provided either directly through our facility or in coordination with a licensed medical partner.
These medications are used to reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and support physical and emotional stabilization. MAT is always integrated into a broader therapeutic plan and offered with careful monitoring and education to support sustainable recovery.
Aftercare Planning
Recovery does not end at discharge. We work collaboratively with each client to develop an individualized aftercare plan that supports continued growth and stability beyond treatment.
Plans may include transitioning to conventional outpatient services, ongoing therapy, recovery supports, or community-based resources. Our case managers coordinate care to ensure continuity, reduce gaps in support, and help clients move forward with confidence.
Life Skills Workshops
Our life skills workshops focus on building tools that support independence, emotional regulation, healthy routines, and decision-making. Topics may include stress management, communication, time management, boundaries, and relapse prevention.
These workshops are designed to empower clients with skills they can use during treatment and in everyday life.
Day Treatment For Working Adults and Students in Massachusetts
At Trinity Wellness Group, we offer personalized day treatment programs for those recovering from substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Through evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT, you’ll learn strategies to manage stress, prevent relapse, and support your long-term recovery. Our flexible scheduling makes it easy for students and working adults to get the support they need without disrupting their lives.
With options designed to fit your schedule, our team is here to provide the tools, guidance, and support you need to thrive both at work and in life. Contact us today to find support and begin treatment.
Sources
[1] Guydish, J. et al. 1995. A day treatment program in a therapeutic community setting: six-month Outcomes: The Walden House Day Treatment Program.
[2] APA. 2017. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.