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In life-threatening emergencies, find the emergency room location nearest you. For non-life-threatening medical needs when your pediatrician is unavailable, visit one of our urgent care locations.
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The Partial Hospitalization Program at Children's Hospital Colorado provides intensive treatment for children and teens with psychiatric difficulties that prevent them from functioning in their home, school or community.
We treat children and teens who require more intensive services than can be offered in a traditional outpatient setting, who are at risk of psychiatric hospitalization, as well as those who have stepped down from an inpatient hospital stay.
Who we are
Our team members include:
Psychiatrists
Advanced practice nurses
Psychiatric nurses
Psychologists
Behavioral health clinicians
Educational specialist
Occupational therapists
Creative arts therapists
Mental health counselors
Skilled trainees
Because each child and family works with a team, your participation and partnership is a vital part of the program.
Who we serve
The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary treatment for children and adolescents who have psychiatric challenges. Symptoms that may prompt a referral to our program include:
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
High levels of emotional distress, including depression and/or anxiety that prevent participation in school, family activities and previously favored extracurricular pursuits, or that are causing the patient physiological pain or discomfort
Self-harm or other high-risk behaviors
Behavioral challenges, including yelling, minor aggression and trouble regulating emotions
School anxiety and refusal
For children and adolescents who have Medicaid and/or CHP, please contact your Medicaid provider. A care manager can assist the family in finding care for their child.
Services we provide
We provide evaluation and intensive mental health treatment for children, teens and their families. Our program runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The average stay is about two weeks, but this varies based on the individual treatment needs of patients and their families.
Our services are directed at stabilization of serious mental and behavioral health challenges that prevent youth from functioning optimally at school, at home and in the community. This includes children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 who are experiencing distress that exceeds traditional outpatient treatment but are able to remain stable with support; those who are stepping down from higher levels of psychiatric treatment including inpatient treatment; and those who are not in emergent condition but who require immediate, intensive care in order to maintain stability.
We provide a supportive, structured program that includes:
Our practices are based on the best evidence and research. An educational specialist is available to help children maintain their skills and make a successful transition back to school, and we work closely with partners in the community, including other mental health providers and schools. We also work to make sure that patients have ongoing support and treatment after they leave the program.
What to expect from the Partial Hospitalization Program
Two parent/family meetings per week
Daily parent check-in group
Psychoeducation series for parents
Coordination with community providers and school when appropriate
Occupational therapy evaluation
Individualized treatment planning
Keeping you safe, wherever you are
We're here when you need us with the same safe, high-quality care we've always offered, even during the pandemic. Now, in many cases, you can get that care without even leaving home because we offer virtual visits across every one of our specialties.
Children's Hospital Colorado partners with NRC Health to gather star ratings and reviews from patients, residents and family survey data.
This provider either practices in a department or specialty that we currently do not survey, or does not have at least 10 ratings in the last 12 months. Learn more about patient ratings and reviews.
Provider affiliation
Children's Hospital Colorado providers
Children’s Hospital Colorado providers are faculty members of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Our specialists are nationally ranked and globally recognized for delivering the best possible care in pediatrics.
Community providers
Some healthcare professionals listed on our website have medical privileges to practice at Children’s Hospital Colorado, but they are community providers. They schedule and bill separately for their services, and are not employees of the Hospital.