Being a teenager isn’t easy. Between school, social pressures, and constant change, life can already feel like too much. Add emotional or mental health challenges, and even the most supportive parents can feel helpless. You want to help, but you might not know where to start.
At Aurora Charter Oak Hospital in Covina, California, we’re here to help. Our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides top-notch care that allows your teen to recover while also staying connected to their family, support systems, and normal lives. Our goal is to support your teen to make real changes and safely heal.
What Is an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program?
Our Aurora Charter Oak Hospital PHP program was specifically created for adolescents who need more support than weekly therapy but don’t need overnight hospitalization. It provides the same level of therapeutic support as an inpatient setting but allows teens to return home each evening to rest and connect with family.
Many of the teens we serve are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, mood disorders, or substance abuse. Every young person has a unique story, so we create an individualized treatment plan to meet their specific needs.
Our experienced team of psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and educators provides compassionate care in a structured environment that promotes healing, growth, and confidence. The goal is to help each teen rediscover stability and return home stronger and more resilient.
Program Overview and Purpose
Aurora Charter Oak’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) helps teens regain balance in their lives through treatment that is structured, short-term, and intensive.
The PHP program at Aurora Charter Oak runs five days a week. Weekly schedules include therapy, education, and life-skills instruction. Teens learn to understand their emotions, build healthy coping strategies, and strengthen their relationships with family and peers.
Our goal is to help teens manage symptoms, reduce crises, and improve functioning at home and school. The program serves as a solid bridge between inpatient hospitalization and standard outpatient therapy, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks on their personal path to recovery.
Eligibility and Admission Criteria
The Adolescent PHP is open to youth ages 9 through 17 who are struggling with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges that interfere with daily life. Teens dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harming behaviors, mood swings, or other psychiatric conditions may benefit from this level of care.
Admission begins with a free and confidential assessment available 24 hours a day. During this assessment, one of our licensed clinicians will learn about your teen’s symptoms, history, and goals. Based on the evaluation, our team will recommend the best level of care and create your individualized plan.
Teens who join our PHP program are typically medically stable and able to return home each evening. Our team includes board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, licensed therapists, social workers, and nurses who specialize in helping teens build resilience and emotional strength. Families are involved from the very beginning, ensuring everyone feels supported through the process.
Daily Schedule and Program Structure
Teens do best when they have structure, support, and purpose. At Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, the Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides a consistent afternoon schedule that helps teens feel grounded as they heal and grow. Programming begins after school hours and runs into the evening.
The PHP program takes place Monday through Friday. Our program blends therapeutic and educational activities that encourage both emotional healing and personal growth. Each day feels steady and familiar, with room for reflection, learning, and connection. Teens participate in group therapy, individual sessions, and psychoeducation, along with creative and hands-on activities like art, mindfulness, journaling, and recreation.
This holistic balance of structure and creativity helps teens strengthen coping skills, build emotional awareness, and rebuild confidence that they can carry into everyday life. Family involvement is also a key part of the process, with opportunities for parents and caregivers to join sessions that encourage open communication and continued growth at home.
Academic and Educational Support
Many parents worry that treatment might cause their child to fall behind, which is why we’ve included dedicated time for study and educational activities within the program.
Scheduled academic time allows teens in our PHP to stay engaged in learning while also working on their mental health. This schedule helps adolescents maintain a sense of normalcy, build focus and organization, and regain confidence in their ability to balance schoolwork with self-care.
By pairing therapeutic care with consistent academic time, our program helps teens grow stronger in every way. They leave feeling supported, steady, and ready to return to school with a clearer mind and renewed confidence.
Treatment Approaches and Services Offered
At Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, our treatment philosophy is built on evidence-based care. In addition, every teen in our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) receives a personalized treatment plan designed to meet their specific needs and goals.
Therapy often includes a blend of proven approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps teens recognize and replace negative thought patterns, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which focuses on mindfulness, emotional regulation, and healthy communication skills. For teens working through trauma, our center provides a safe and supportive environment where they can process difficult experiences and build resilience with the help of highly-trained clinicians.
Alongside these core therapies, teens participate in individual counseling to explore emotions and set personal goals, as well as group therapy. Group therapy helps teens experience community, connection, and shared growth among peers. Family therapy sessions are also an important part of treatment, helping parents and caregivers strengthen communication and deepen understanding at home.
When needed, medication management is overseen by board-certified psychiatrists to ensure care is both safe and effective. The program also includes experiential and art therapy, offering creative outlets for self-expression and emotional healing.
For teens who are facing both mental health and substance use challenges, our dual diagnosis treatment addresses both areas together. Medically assisted detox is also available for teens who need extra support during the early stages of recovery. This integrated approach supports healing on every level.
Family Involvement and Support
Family support is a cornerstone of recovery. We believe that the strongest healing happens best when the whole family grows together.
At Aurora Charter Oak Hospital, families are invited to take an active role in treatment through family therapy sessions, parent education workshops, and support groups. These sessions help caregivers understand their teens’ struggles, improve communication, and develop strategies for maintaining a healthy home environment.
Our therapists guide families through important conversations about trust, boundaries, and emotional regulation. Parents also learn how to identify warning signs, manage stress, and support continued recovery after discharge.
We keep communication open and honest so families always know how their teen is progressing. The goal is to create stronger and healthier relationships that last well beyond treatment.
Benefits and Effectiveness
The Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program offers many benefits for teens and their families. It provides the structure, stability, and support that teens need to move forward in their recovery and in their lives.
By participating in daily therapy and skill-building, teens develop emotional awareness, better coping skills, and stronger relationships. Many experience improvements in self-esteem, academic performance, and family communication. The program helps reduce crisis situations, prevent hospital readmissions, and build a solid foundation for long-term wellness.
Because our approach is personalized, every teen’s success looks a little different. Some gain the confidence to return to school and social life, while others find new ways to manage anxiety or depression. What’s consistent is the growth, insight, and resilience they carry with them when they leave our care.
Aftercare and Ongoing Support
Recovery doesn’t stop when the program ends. We want every teen and family to feel confident and supported after discharge. That’s why our team creates a personalized aftercare plan for each participant. For example, aftercare may include intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), continued individual therapy, family counseling, or ongoing medication management.
Our focus on continuity of care helps prevent relapse and encourages lasting stability. Families receive education on relapse prevention, communication strategies, and available community resources. We stay connected with families after discharge to ensure that progress continues after treatment ends.
Program Rules, Policies, and Expectations
A structured environment helps teens feel safe and supported. Our program includes clear rules and expectations that promote respect, accountability, and cooperation.
Participants are expected to attend all sessions, participate actively, and maintain respectful behavior toward all staff and peers. We review guidelines for attendance, attire, and transportation to keep the program organized and focused.
When challenges arise, our staff approaches them with patience and compassion, using each situation as an opportunity for learning and growth. These expectations help teens build responsibility and prepare for life beyond the program.
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options
We believe that every family should have access to quality mental health care, regardless of financial circumstances. Aurora Charter Oak Hospital accepts most major insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, Medicare, and private insurance providers.
Our admissions team helps families verify insurance coverage, explain co-pays and deductibles, and explore financial assistance programs if needed. We also offer flexible payment plans for self-pay options.
Navigating insurance can be confusing, so we walk families through each step. Our goal is to remove financial barriers and make sure teens can start getting help as soon as possible.
It is also important to know that Medicare, Medi-Cal, and other health insurance plans all have specific guidelines and criteria for admission and coverage. Please call our Assessment Center at (800) 674-7781 for any questions about insurance coverage and payment options.
Why Choose Aurora Charter Oak Hospital for Adolescent PHP
Aurora Charter Oak Hospital has been serving families in Covina, California, and the surrounding communities for decades. Our Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program combines evidence-based therapies with a warm, supportive approach that helps teens and families heal together.
Our campus sits on 10 acres of peaceful and landscaped grounds that offer a calm and restorative setting. Our team includes psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and educators who truly care about every teen’s well-being. We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Every treatment plan is personalized, every family is supported, and every teen is encouraged to grow at their own pace. With 24/7 admissions and a full continuum of care, we’re here whenever families need us most.
If your teen is struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges, you don’t have to face it alone. Call (800) 654-2673 today for a free, confidential assessment and learn how Aurora Charter Oak Hospital’s Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program can help your family start healing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
An Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program is a structured day treatment program for teens who need intensive mental health support but don’t require 24-hour inpatient care. Teens attend the program during the day for therapy, education, and skill-building, then return home in the evening. It provides the same level of clinical care as inpatient treatment while allowing teens to stay connected with family and daily life.
How is a PHP different from inpatient treatment or outpatient therapy?
A PHP offers a level of care between inpatient hospitalization and outpatient therapy. Inpatient treatment provides 24-hour supervision for crisis stabilization, while outpatient therapy usually has fewer sessions per week. A PHP provides daily, structured treatment during the day and allows teens to return home at night, giving them intensive support with more flexibility and independence.
Who is a good candidate for the adolescent PHP?
Our Adolescent PHP is best suited for teens ages 9 to 17 who are struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, mood swings, self-harm, or emotional regulation challenges. Teens should be medically stable and able to participate safely in a day program. Our admissions team conducts a free and confidential assessment to help determine if PHP is the right fit.
What does a typical day in the program look like?
Each day includes group therapy, individual counseling, skill-building workshops, and academic support. Teens participate in activities like mindfulness, recreation, art, and coping skills training. They also attend family sessions throughout the week. The day is highly structured to promote consistency, accountability, and emotional growth.
Will my teen fall behind in school while attending the program?
No. Our program includes dedicated academic time to ensure they stay on track with assignments and credits. Case managers can communicate with teachers and school counselors so that your teen’s academic progress continues while they focus on their mental health.
What types of therapy are offered in the program?
Aurora Charter Oak Hospital uses a combination of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. We also offer medication management, experiential therapy, and dual-diagnosis support for teens dealing with both mental health and substance use challenges.
