Can You Work While Attending A PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program)?

Understanding PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs)

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is an intensive outpatient level of care designed for individuals struggling with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. Unlike inpatient programs, which require patients to stay overnight, PHP allows participants to return home in the evenings while spending most of their daytime hours in structured treatment.

A common question people ask is whether it’s possible to continue working while enrolled in a PHP. Since these programs demand significant time commitments, balancing work responsibilities can be challenging. However, many patients do find ways to manage both—especially with the help of supportive employers and flexible scheduling.

At Trinity Behavioral Health, participants benefit from customized treatment plans and a unique sponsorship model for couples: if one partner is insured, the other is sponsored, making recovery more financially accessible. This ensures that couples don’t have to choose between treatment and maintaining financial stability.

Time Commitment of a PHP and Its Impact on Work

A PHP typically requires 20 to 30 hours per week of treatment. This can look like five to six hours of therapy, group work, or activities each weekday. With such a schedule, holding a full-time job can be difficult.

However, many people are able to work part-time, especially if their employer is understanding. For instance:

Morning PHP schedule: Patients attend therapy in the morning and work in the evenings.
Afternoon PHP schedule: Patients work earlier in the day and attend sessions later.
Weekend or flexible work arrangements: Some participants negotiate with their employers for reduced or modified schedules.

While challenging, balancing work and treatment is possible if both patient and employer are committed to creating a supportive plan.

Can You Keep Your Job While in PHP?

The short answer is yes—many individuals are able to maintain employment while attending a PHP. Federal laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) offer job protections for those undergoing treatment for medical and mental health conditions.

FMLA allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for medical reasons, which includes PHP participation.
ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with medical or mental health conditions.

This means you may be able to reduce your hours, work flexible shifts, or even take temporary leave to attend treatment without losing your job.

The Role of Individual and Group Therapy in PHP

Whether you work or not while attending a PHP, the program itself is structured to maximize recovery. Individual therapy provides personalized support, while group therapy builds accountability and connection with peers.

Therapies included in most PHPs are:

One-on-one counseling to address personal struggles.
Group sessions to share experiences and build community.
Couples or family therapy to strengthen relationships.
Medication management for those who need stabilization.
Holistic therapies such as yoga, mindfulness, or art.

Balancing these intensive therapeutic activities with work can be difficult, but many participants find it possible if work hours are adjusted.

Financial Considerations: Work, PHP, and Insurance

For many, the decision to keep working during PHP is financially motivated. Without insurance, a PHP can cost between $7,000 and $20,000 per month, which makes continuing to earn income important.

For couples, these costs can be overwhelming if both need treatment. That’s why Trinity Behavioral Health’s sponsorship program is so valuable. Their policy ensures:

If one partner has insurance, the other can attend PHP through sponsorship.
Both individuals can access the same high-quality care.
Financial barriers are reduced, making it easier for couples to participate without risking bankruptcy.

This sponsorship makes the decision to focus on treatment easier since couples aren’t burdened with doubling out-of-pocket costs.

Balancing PHP and Employment: Tips for Success

Balancing work and PHP requires careful planning. Here are some practical strategies:

Communicate with your employer: Be honest about needing treatment while reassuring them of your commitment to work.
Request flexible scheduling: Explore part-time hours, evening shifts, or remote work options.
Prioritize treatment: Remember that recovery is the primary goal; don’t overextend yourself.
Practice time management: Use calendars and reminders to balance therapy sessions and work deadlines.
Lean on support systems: Ask family or friends for help with responsibilities outside work and treatment.

With these strategies, many people find they can maintain at least part-time work while in a PHP.

Couples in PHP: How Work and Treatment Align

For couples, the question of working while in PHP is often more complex. If both partners are enrolled, they may need to coordinate schedules carefully to manage therapy, home responsibilities, and possible employment.

Benefits of attending PHP as a couple include:

Mutual accountability: Partners encourage each other to stay engaged.
Shared financial planning: One partner may continue working while the other attends treatment full-time.
Relationship healing: Joint therapy sessions help couples rebuild trust and communication.

Trinity Behavioral Health’s sponsorship ensures that both partners can access treatment without financial strain, even if one chooses to continue working.

PHP vs. Inpatient Rehab: Which Allows for Work?

A key difference between PHP and inpatient rehab is flexibility.

Factor	PHP	Inpatient Rehab
Living Arrangements	Go home daily	Live at the facility
Ability to Work	Possible with flexible schedule	Not possible
Treatment Hours	20–30 hours weekly	24/7 structured care
Cost	$7,000–$20,000 monthly	$15,000–$40,000 monthly

As the table shows, PHP is the better choice for those who want to continue working in some capacity, while inpatient care is more immersive but less compatible with employment.

Challenges of Working During PHP

While working during PHP is possible, it is not always easy. Some challenges include:

Emotional exhaustion: Therapy can be intense, leaving little energy for work.
Scheduling conflicts: Employers may not always offer the flexibility you need.
Risk of prioritizing work over recovery: Putting work first can reduce the effectiveness of treatment.
Couples’ time management issues: Coordinating both partners’ therapy and work can be stressful.

Trinity Behavioral Health helps by creating structured schedules and providing financial sponsorship so couples do not feel pressured to overwork while healing.

Long-Term Value of Prioritizing Treatment

Even if working part-time or taking leave feels like a financial setback, prioritizing treatment through a PHP is an investment in the future. Recovery leads to:

Greater long-term job stability.
Improved mental and physical health.
Stronger personal relationships.
Reduced risk of relapse and crisis costs.

For couples, the shared experience of completing PHP often leads to healthier, more supportive relationships that last well beyond the program.

Conclusion

Yes—it is possible to work while attending a PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), but it requires flexibility, employer support, and strong time management. PHP programs typically require 20–30 hours of weekly commitment, which can conflict with full-time work but often allows for part-time or adjusted schedules.

At Trinity Behavioral Health, couples can participate in PHP without doubling financial burdens thanks to their sponsorship policy: if one partner is insured, the other can still attend the program. This makes recovery accessible while reducing financial stress.

While balancing work and treatment can be challenging, prioritizing PHP is ultimately a life-changing investment in long-term health, stability, and relationship recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you work full-time while attending a PHP?
A: Full-time work is often difficult due to the 20–30 hour weekly commitment of PHP, but part-time work or flexible arrangements are usually possible.

Q: Does Trinity Behavioral Health sponsor couples in PHP?
A: Yes. If one partner has insurance, Trinity sponsors the other so both can attend without doubling costs.

Q: Will my employer know if I’m in a PHP?
A: Not unless you choose to disclose it. You can request leave under FMLA or accommodations under the ADA without revealing specific medical details.

Q: Is it better to focus on work or treatment during PHP?
A: Treatment should always come first. Work can often be adjusted, but recovery sets the foundation for long-term stability.

Q: How do couples manage work and PHP together?
A: Many couples coordinate schedules, with one partner working while the other attends full-time, or both working part-time while participating in PHP. Trinity’s sponsorship helps ease financial strain in these cases.