I was recently "successfully discharged" from a partial hospitalization program. For me, it didn't seem to help much. Then again, that could be because of the set up and my dx.

I didn't know what to expect either and the program I was in prefers that clients don't know what's going on. At least, that's the way it seemed.

The program i was in ran from 9am - 2pm. From 9-10 there was a morning group session where we were expected to give a daily goal to work on. That could consist of anything from a generic "feeling better" to talking more in group or whatever. If the counselors didn't like one's answer, they'd ask questions and etc. to help one come up with a feasible goal. Oh yeah, we also had to state our current mood too.

After that, we had a 15 min or so break. Then, it was intense group therapy where essentially, clients ran the group. The counselors were there to help keep the discussion on topic and moderate.

Then there was a 30 min lunch break. After the lunch break was another group for one hour that consisted of learning coping skills.

I didn't like the group much because I don't really like socializing. I was ganged up on a bit by this other member who bared her soul within a week of being in the program. She was upset because i had been there longer than her and she still didn't know anything about me. She confronted me about that one day in group shortly before lunch. I didn't agree with what she had to say and she ticked me off. I actually left with plans of not returning. However, a counselor and I talked and i agreed to go back.

During the course of the day, we sometimes had to leave group to meet with a nurse, shrink and our one on one therapist.

That's basically how the program i was in was run.

Oh yeah. The typical length of the program i was in was 2-3 weeks for each client. I was there for 6 weeks or so. It was nice to have a schedule to stick to and somewhere to be, but other than that, it wasn't of much help for me, in my opinion.