Partial Hospitalization Program for Adults 

Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for adults is an intensive day treatment program for adults with mood disorders. Launched in April 2022 in Anchorage, the program serves adults with severe or chronic depression and bipolar, and is designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of the group participants at any given time. PHP is an ideal program for adults experiencing a crisis who can safely live at home while building skills and addressing symptoms, or those who have experienced chronic symptoms looking for a new approach. 

The PHP program is an intensive short-term program, including: 

• Medication management with twice-weekly check-ins with medical providers 
• Group therapy using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skills (DBT) 
• Mindfulness activities and other skill-building 
• Physical activity  

The program runs from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and includes a one-hour lunch break, with lunch provided for participants.  

Using Creativity 

For our PHP staff, developing the new program has provided an opportunity to be creative in designing the program and adapting on the fly.  

You are the only expert on you.

Clinician lina villar

Clinician Lina Villar incorporates art activities and yoga into the daily schedule. She says she has sometimes been surprised by what resonates with clients. “What works for one person doesn’t work for another.” So, while Lina has a plan for what to cover each day, she adjusts activities to what seems to be resonating with the group.  

Running a PHP is a new experience for Lina, and she has been particularly impressed with the power of group therapy. “They get more from talking to each other than we can teach them.” In one session, two clients were particularly well-matched: “What one of them offered, the other needed. And vice versa. It was neat to see that.”  

The psychoeducation portions of the day cover a LOT of material: each client has a large binder by the end, and Lina uses a lot of videos and visual tools to illustrate. But Lina tries not to be talking AT people. She approaches the program and individual work with clients as a collaboration, often telling clients, “You are the only expert on you.” 

Daily movement breaks are also adjusted to fit the mobility level of people in the group. Clinical Associate Stephanie O’Connor says her goal is to be flexible “and give clients the time to speak their minds.” 

First Clients have positive reports 

One recent client was impressed with what she learned through the program. This client has been through several treatment programs, inpatient, and outpatient. She says,  

It (PHP) was way better than anything I’ve ever experienced. I really really think they’re doing a good job.

– recent client

She particularly appreciated the efforts of staff to customize the material. She says she “hates meditation type stuff. But they found a guy I could stand, and actually even kind of like.” Staff had her start slowly, with just 3 minutes, and then gradually lengthened the time. They were receptive to feedback, incorporating her suggestion for an exercise video series for the movement portion of the day.  

A Rolling Start 

Most clients participate in PHP for about two weeks. Because the program is designed for clients with a high level of need, the focus is on a quick turnaround time from referral to assessment to starting the program, often as short as one day.  

Interested in PHP?

• Call our front desk at 907-563-1000 and request an assessment for PHP
• Email php@akbh.org for more information
• Health care providers: submit a referral through our secure on-line portal.