PrairieCare’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers intensive mental health services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to providing comprehensive and effective care. Our program is designed to offer a structured and supportive environment for individuals needing more intensive treatment than outpatient therapy, yet do not require 24-hour inpatient hospitalization. We focus on delivering evidence-based treatments to help patients achieve their mental health goals and improve their overall well-being.
Our expert team at PrairieCare is comprised of a diverse group of mental health professionals, all working collaboratively to provide holistic and individualized care. The professionals involved in your care may include:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Social Workers
- Registered Nurses
- Recreational Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
This diverse team allows us to address the multifaceted needs of our patients through a variety of therapeutic approaches and interventions tailored to individual requirements.
Treatment within the PrairieCare Partial Hospitalization Program is delivered through a range of modalities, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to mental health recovery. These treatment methods include:
- Psychiatric Medication Management
- Psychoeducation
- Group and Individual Therapy
- Collaborative Problem Solving
- Self-Regulation
- Art Therapy
- Skills Building
- Symptom Management
- Spirituality Exploration
- Occupational Therapy
- Recreational Therapy
- Academic Schooling
Each of these treatment approaches plays a vital role in supporting our patients’ journey toward improved mental health. To further illustrate the depth of our program, we offer more detail on some of these key components:
Medication Management
Psychiatric Medication Management is a crucial aspect of treatment, overseen by licensed prescribers, including Psychiatrists and Clinical Nurse Specialists. These highly qualified professionals specialize in managing medications to effectively alleviate symptoms and enhance the benefits of other therapeutic interventions within the program. Our medication management is always integrated with a holistic treatment plan, ensuring medications are used thoughtfully and in conjunction with therapy and other supportive services.
Therapeutic Group Modalities
Process Group therapy is a daily offering led by our program therapists. This group setting is designed to address interpersonal and social challenges, fostering the development of crucial communication and relationship skills. Through group interaction, patients can build a sense of identity and belonging within a peer group, gain a deeper understanding of their mental health conditions, explore coping strategies, and cultivate a positive and proactive attitude towards treatment.
Recreational Therapy groups, facilitated by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS), utilize a wide array of engaging activities to educate patients on essential life skills. These skills encompass leisure activities, social interactions, coping mechanisms, anger and stress management techniques, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and teamwork. Recreational Therapy sessions may incorporate art projects, music, games, physical activities, skits, worksheets, discussions, and other creative outlets to facilitate learning and engagement.
Art Therapy provides a unique and powerful avenue for healing, blending psychological principles with visual arts. This therapy is designed to enhance psychological health, cognitive abilities, and sensory-motor functions. Patients are provided with a safe, supportive, and structured environment that encourages them to process their experiences and challenges through the art-making process. The art materials available are carefully chosen to facilitate the therapeutic process. The therapeutic relationship established between the therapist and the patient is central to enabling the patient to address and resolve their underlying issues, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, boost self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve valuable insights.
Psychoeducation and Skill-Building
Psychoeducation groups, typically led by Licensed Social Workers, employ diverse teaching methods to introduce, discuss, and practice essential coping skills. Topics covered can range from “Reframing” negative thoughts to developing “Frustration Tolerance” and practicing “Assertive Communication.” These sessions are often experiential, discussion-based, or delivered in a lecture format, depending on the specific topic and learning objectives for the day.
Nursing Group sessions, offered twice weekly by Registered Nurses, focus on promoting healthy living practices. Topics include nutrition, sleep hygiene, personal hygiene, stress management, and other vital aspects of wellness. Similar to psychoeducation, these groups may be experiential, discussion-based, or lecture-style, adapting to the day’s specific health and wellness focus.
Social Skills groups, offered twice a week and facilitated by Psychiatric Technicians, provide a practical setting for patients to apply the coping skills they learn in other program components to real-life social situations. Through games and art projects, patients engage in social interactions with staff support available to coach them through potentially challenging social dynamics and emotional responses.
Collaboration with Schools
PrairieCare recognizes the vital role of education in the lives of our younger patients and is committed to supporting their academic progress during treatment. We proudly host classrooms at each of our sites, staffed by teachers from local school districts. Upon admission, our classroom staff will connect with the patient’s home school to facilitate the exchange of schoolwork and relevant clinical information, always with appropriate releases of information in place. We collaborate with districts such as District 287 (Brooklyn Park, Edina, and Maple Grove), Eastern Carver County Schools (Chaska), ISD 622 (Maplewood), Rochester Public Schools, and ISD 77 (Mankato Area Public Schools) to ensure continuity of education.
Educational services within PrairieCare are delivered by specially trained staff from these partnering school districts. Students benefit from customized and engaging curricula designed to meet their academic needs while also incorporating social and emotional learning components. School district staff manage any necessary adjustments to educational programming to support ongoing academic success while patients are in our program. Our model typically includes two hours of daily schooling, utilizing age-appropriate curriculum and engaging, multi-dimensional lessons. Licensed teachers leverage modern technology, such as iPads and smartboards, to deliver dynamic and interesting lessons for students of all ages.
While patients are enrolled in the PrairieCare PHP, they are temporarily enrolled in the collaborating school district for educational purposes. While the school district provides curriculum and instruction, PrairieCare manages the clinical treatment plan. Patient health information is protected under HIPAA, and educational information is protected under FERPA. Releases of Information are secured upon admission to allow for appropriate information sharing among relevant parties, always with explicit authorization from the parent or guardian.
It is important to understand that Partial Hospitalization Programs are often a step in a longer journey of mental health care. Ongoing support is commonly needed after discharge from the PHP. The primary goal of the PrairieCare PHP is to equip patients with the stability and skills necessary for continued growth and healing in their lives.
