A partial care program is an outpatient treatment that involves several hours of therapy several days a week, offering a ‘full-time’ approach to care. It is recommended for individuals who need structured care for mental health or substance use issues, but don’t require 24/7 oversight. The program may also be a step-down from a higher level of care.

Key Takeaways

Partial care is an outpatient treatment that offers several hours of care every day, several days each week. It involves individual and group therapy, as well as other beneficial activities.
The program may serve as a step up from a lower level of care or a step down from a higher level of care. It is ideal for an individual who needs structured care but can adhere to treatment without 24/7 oversight. Therapists may also prescribe care based on life circumstances such as home environment, budget, work, and other responsibilities.
Partial care can treat substance abuse and mental health issues.

What Is a Partial Care Program?
What Happens During a Typical Partial Care Day?
Who Is a Partial Care Program Designed For?
What Are Signs It May Be Time to Consider a Partial Care Program?
Get the Care You Require at BlueCrest Health Group
FAQs

Introduction

According to a National Library of Medicine study, relapse rates for substance use disorders can be close to 40%. But effective treatment can improve outcomes- and part of that is finding the best level of care for your needs.

Partial care (also known as a partial hospitalization program) is often included in treatment, offering therapy sessions and related activities several hours a day, several days each week, while allowing clients to live at home. It can be a primary form of care for individuals who require structured treatment without 24/7 oversight, or a step down from a higher level of care. Find out if it’s right for you.

What Is an Adult Partial Care Program?

A partial care program is an outpatient service, offering treatment for individuals with mental health issues or substance use disorders. Clients typically attend several hours a day, several days a week. The average is 5-6 hours a day, 5 days a week, but for some clients, the hours are shorter or longer.

The program can be a primary form of care or a step down from a higher level of care. For example, some clients may enter a partial care program after completing residential care. Others may start with partial care and step down to other programs.

For example, after completing partial care, a client may continue to intensive outpatient treatment, which involves shorter therapy sessions and fewer days each week, or to traditional outpatient services, which clients may attend once or twice a week as part of ongoing care.

What Happens During a Typical Adult Partial Care Day?

A typical day at partial care starts with a check-in and involves different types of therapy and activities throughout the day, aimed at healing, as follows:

Check-In: Clients will begin by checking in with the administrator to discuss any new symptoms or events that may affect treatment. Medication side effects may also be reviewed.
Group Therapy: Primarily the focus of partial care, individuals meet in groups to discuss their conditions and how they impact their lives. Group therapy helps clients build support networks, reduce isolation, and understand they are not uniquely broken.
Psycho-education: The approach plays a significant role in partial care, helping clients understand how their conditions operate behind the scenes to produce certain effects and supporting emotional regulation.
Individual Therapy: Clients meet with their therapist a few times a week for a more personalized approach to care. Evidence-based methodologies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, are integrated to achieve optimal results.
Lunch: Typically takes place mid-day, allowing clients to bond with other group members in a less structured environment. They may take part in meal prep and cleanup to gain a sense of accountability.
Family Therapy: Families are often included in therapy sessions to learn more about their loved one’s condition and ensure they provide a healing home environment.
Holistic Activities: Clients may participate in holistic activities throughout the day, including yoga, meditation, and art therapy.
Checkout: Before leaving, groups will come together to discuss what they learned during the day, how they are feeling, and to prepare for the transition to home life.

Who Is an Adult Partial Care Program Designed For?

Partial care may be right for people dealing with substance use and mental health conditions who need a step down from residential care, or a step up from outpatient care. It may also be ideal for those with limitations due to finances or other responsibilities, as follows:

Stepping Down from Residential Care: Partial care could be the next step for individuals who have completed a residential program.
Step Up from Other Outpatient Treatments: Some may transition from a traditional or intensive outpatient program to partial hospitalization if their symptoms worsen.
Mental Health/Substance Use Issues/Co-Occurring Disorders: Partial care can treat individuals with mental health disorders, such as mood disorders, eating disorders, or anxiety, as well as addiction. A dual diagnosis approach is often taken to address co-occurring substance use and mental health issues, which are often bidirectional. According to SAMHSA stats, 31.5% of people with mental illness also have an SUD.
A Supportive Home Environment: Given that clients split time between a facility and home, a stable home life is necessary for successful outcomes.
Limitations Due to Finances or Other Responsibilities: Partial care is often less expensive than inpatient programs, making it a good option for individuals with financial constraints. It can also be ideal for people who need to maintain caretaking responsibilities while in treatment.

What Are Signs It May Be Time to Consider an Adult Partial Care Program?

You or a loved one may need a partial care program if you are experiencing worsening or improving mental health conditions, whether currently in a program or at home needing care. Here are some warning signs to look out for:

Signs Outpatient or IOP Isn’t Enough:

Your symptoms are intensifying despite treatment
You are missing work, school, and other responsibilities
Your therapist or psychologist is recommending a higher level of care

Signs Residential Care May Not Be Necessary

You have stabilized with medications and are not in acute crisis
You are able to return home safely each night
You are motivated to get care without 24/7 oversight

What a Loved One Might Notice at Home

Withdrawal from previously managed routines
Visible decline in mood, hygiene, or functioning
Increased secrecy or functioning
Verbalizing that they are struggling with the current level of care

Get the Care You Require at BlueCrest Health Group

BlueCrest HealthGroup of New Jersey offers comprehensive outpatient services that meet clients where they are on the treatment spectrum and support them throughout their journey. Our programs focus on whole-person wellness with an integrative care approach. All treatment is delivered by a team of trained professionals who collaborate to provide the best possible outcomes.

FAQs

Will insurance cover a partial care program?

Many insurance plans cover partial care since it’s a recognized level of care, though coverage varies by provider and plan. Check directly with your insurance company or the treatment center’s admissions team to confirm benefits. BlueCrest will verify your benefits in advance, so you know exactly what to expect.

Can I keep working or going to school while in a partial care program?

It depends on the schedule and the person’s condition. Because partial care typically runs 5-6 hours a day, 5 days a week, it can be difficult to maintain a full-time job or school schedule simultaneously, though some programs offer modified scheduling. This is worth discussing directly with the treatment center.

Will BlueCrest continue to support me after outpatient treatment?

Aftercare planning is a component of partial care that assists with the transition back to outpatient care. It provides continued support through resources, check-ins, and alumni programs.

How long does partial care last?

Length of stay varies by individual and program, often based on clinical progress rather than a fixed timeline. Many people transition to a lower level of care, such as IOP, once they meet specific clinical milestones.

How do I know if I need partial care or just regular outpatient therapy?

This typically depends on symptom severity, how much structure and support someone needs, and whether standard once- or twice-weekly therapy has been enough to manage symptoms. A clinical assessment can help determine the right level of care.

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Treatment and Recovery.” https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts.” https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.” https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt56287/2024-nsduh-annual-national/2024-nsduh-annual-national-html-071425-edited/2024-nsduh-annual-national.htm
National Association of Counties (NACo), summarizing SAMHSA 2024 NSDUH data. “SAMHSA releases new 2024 data on rates of mental illness and substance use disorder in the U.S.” https://www.naco.org/news/samhsa-releases-new-2024-data-rates-mental-illness-and-substance-use-disorder-us

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What Is a Partial Care Program – and Who Is It Designed For?