daytreatment

Day treatment, also known as a day program, refers to structured therapeutic services delivered during daytime hours in a non-residential setting for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. It sits between traditional outpatient therapy and inpatient care, intended for clients who require more intensive support than standard outpatient services but do not need round-the-clock supervision.

Typically, day treatment is offered 4 to 6 hours per day, several days a week (commonly four to five days). Some programs are part of a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and may operate within hospitals, clinics, or community-based centers. Clients attend sessions and then return home in the evenings, distinguishing day treatment from inpatient or residential care.

Services in day treatment are multi-disciplinary and may include individual therapy, group therapy, family or caregiver involvement, psychoeducation, and medication management. Additional components often feature crisis planning, skills training (such as coping, stress management, and relapse prevention), and social or recreational activities. In substance use treatment, day programs emphasize relapse prevention, education, and supports consistent with mutual-help or twelve-step approaches, depending on the program.

Eligibility is typically determined by clinical assessment and considers the level of stability, safety, and the ability to participate in structured daytime activities. Day treatment is designed to stabilize symptoms, improve functioning, and support transitions to less intensive outpatient care or, when needed, a higher level of care. Insurance coverage and funding vary by region and program. Overall, day treatment represents a step in the continuum of care aimed at providing intensive, structured support while allowing individuals to maintain living at home.