About This Program

The Partial Hospitalization Program is a specialty program within UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin.

The Partial Hospitalization Program diagnoses, treats, and manages the care of adolescents (ages 14-17) with behavioral and mental health disorders who need a higher level of advanced care than traditional outpatient treatment services. Partial Hospitalization treatment targets distress symptoms associated with anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts that have persisted despite previous treatment efforts. We provide treatment administered under the supervision of an attending psychiatrist during the day and allow teens to return home in the evening to maintain a level of daily at-home routine. Our goal is to work with patients and their families to provide short-term structured care before transitioning to our Intensive Outpatient Program.

The Partial Hospitalization Program care team is comprised of nationally recognized and highly specialized physicians across different disciplines housed in a single mental health unit. With access to expert staff and advanced technology, we provide a wide range of services, including medication management, therapy, educational, and family support to give patients and their families the best quality of life.

If your child is showing symptoms of distress or mental illness, please call our 24/7 assessment line at 1-512-324-0029 to speak with a licensed social worker, who is qualified to understand your current situation and direct you to the appropriate services.

Treatment Approach

The Partial Hospitalization Program care team provides scheduled treatment sessions during the day, five days per week, during which group therapy, psychoeducation, skill-building practice, and daily safety assessments occur. Our team of experts are committed to providing the highest quality of emotional and cognitive treatment through psychiatric evaluation; physical examination; family and group therapy; health and nutrition education; activity and recreational therapy; medication management; educational support; and individualized discharge and aftercare planning.

Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning your child will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained mental health experts have extensive experience treating behavioral and mental health disorders and work alongside a team of pediatric specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, child life specialists, expressive therapists, nurses, advances practice providers, social workers, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way.

In addition to providing outpatient mental health treatment, we strive to address your child’s entire spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. All of these areas impact your child’s quality of life and are an integral part of the Partial Hospitalization Program's mission. We also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to schedule and coordinate any additional care services your child may need.

Appointment Information

The Partial Hospitalization Program schedules assessment appointments Monday through Friday.

For more information about the Partial Hospitalization Program or to schedule an assessment to determine the level of care that is right for your child and your family, please call us at 1-512-324-0000 or email us at dellchildrensmhprograms@ascension.org.