77 Elm St, Amesbury, MA 01913 978-233-9597
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Full Day Treatment Program in Amesbury, MA

Our Full Day Treatment program — what insurance providers often call a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) — provides intensive, structured daily treatment for adults needing a higher level of support than traditional outpatient care. You receive a full schedule of evidence-based therapies while returning home each evening.

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Full Day Treatment (PHP) at Merrimack Valley Behavioral Health in Amesbury, Massachusetts, is a Partial Hospitalization Program providing the most intensive outpatient level of care for adults facing mental health or substance use challenges. Clients attend treatment 5-6 days per week for 6+ hours each day, receiving comprehensive therapies including CBT and DBT, medication management, and individual, group, and family therapy. PHP is designed for adults who need structured, daily support but do not require residential or inpatient care. Licensed by DPH, MVBH serves adults across Massachusetts at the historic Mill 77 facility in Amesbury, with Virtual IOP options available statewide.

What Is Full Day Treatment (PHP)?

Full Day Treatment, also known as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), is the most intensive level of outpatient behavioral health care offered at Merrimack Valley Behavioral Health. Adults attend treatment 5-6 days per week for 6 or more hours each day, receiving comprehensive support for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or co-occurring challenges.

PHP is designed for individuals who need structured, daily therapeutic intervention but do not require overnight supervision or residential placement. At MVBH's Amesbury, Massachusetts location in the historic Mill 77 building, clients receive evidence-based therapies, medication management, and peer support in a restorative outpatient setting. This level of care bridges the gap between hospitalization and less intensive outpatient programs, offering hospital-level clinical structure while clients continue to live at home.

Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), MVBH's Full Day Treatment program serves adults 18 and older across the state, with Virtual IOP options also available for those who cannot access in-person care.

5-6 days
per week
6+ hours
each day
18+
adults only
DPH
licensed
5.0
Google rating
Supportive therapy session in MVBH's Amesbury outpatient program

The Most Intensive Outpatient Care

PHP offers the highest level of outpatient support, ideal for adults transitioning from a higher level of care or those whose symptoms require daily, structured intervention. Clients receive multiple therapy sessions each day, with programming that may include individual therapy, group work, skills training, psychoeducation, and medication monitoring.

Because PHP is outpatient, clients return home each evening and on off days, maintaining connections with family and community while building the skills needed for sustained recovery. This allows real-world practice of coping strategies in a supportive structure.

  • Daily StructureFull days of therapeutic programming 5-6 times per week
  • Comprehensive SupportIndividual, group, and family therapy in one coordinated plan
  • Live at HomeReturn home each evening—outpatient, not residential

Who Full Day Treatment Is For

MVBH's PHP is designed for adults who need intensive support but are stable enough for outpatient care.

Transitioning from Higher Care

Adults stepping down from residential, inpatient, or hospital-based treatment who need continued daily support as they reintegrate into daily life.

Acute Mental Health Symptoms

Individuals experiencing severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other conditions that interfere with daily functioning but do not require 24-hour supervision.

Substance Use Stabilization

Adults in early recovery who have completed withdrawal management and need structured support to build relapse-prevention skills and address underlying mental health challenges.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Those managing both mental health and substance use conditions who benefit from integrated <a href="/programs/dual-diagnosis/">Dual Diagnosis Treatment</a> in a daily, coordinated setting.

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What a Typical Day Looks Like

  1. 1

    Morning Arrival & Check-In

    Clients arrive at the Mill 77 facility in Amesbury for a morning check-in, setting daily goals and reviewing progress with clinical staff.

  2. 2

    Individual & Group Therapy

    The day includes multiple therapy sessions—individual work with a clinician, process groups, and skills-based groups focused on CBT, DBT, trauma processing, or relapse prevention.

  3. 3

    Medication Management & Psychoeducation

    Clients meet with prescribers as needed to adjust medications and attend psychoeducation sessions on topics like mood regulation, substance use triggers, and healthy coping.

  4. 4

    Skill-Building & Peer Support

    Afternoon programming often includes mindfulness practice, art or movement therapy, wellness activities, and peer-led discussions that foster connection and accountability.

  5. 5

    Discharge Planning & Home

    Before leaving for the day, clients review what they've learned, plan evening practices, and coordinate with family or support networks. They return home to apply skills in real-world settings.

Therapies & Services in PHP

MVBH's Full Day Treatment integrates evidence-based therapies tailored to each client's needs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Helps clients identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to mood disorders, anxiety, or substance use.

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Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Teaches distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness—essential for managing intense emotions.

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Medication Management

Prescribers collaborate with clients to adjust psychiatric medications, monitor side effects, and support symptom stabilization.

Group & Family Therapy

Process groups, skills training, and family sessions strengthen communication, accountability, and support networks.

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Psychoeducation & Relapse Prevention

Educational sessions on mental health, substance use, wellness, and relapse triggers empower clients with knowledge and tools for recovery.

How PHP Differs from Other Levels of Care

Level of careScheduleBest for
Full Day Treatment (PHP)5-6 days/week, 6+ hours/dayAdults needing intensive daily support but stable enough for outpatient care
Half Day Treatment (IOP)3-5 days/week, ~3 hours/dayStep-down from PHP or adults balancing treatment with work/school
Outpatient (OP)1-2 sessions/weekOngoing support after IOP or maintenance therapy for stable individuals

Step-Up and Step-Down Pathways

PHP often serves as a step-down for adults transitioning from residential or hospital-based care, providing continued structure as they reintegrate into home and community life. It can also be a step-up for individuals in Half Day Treatment or Outpatient care whose symptoms have intensified and who need more frequent support.

As clients progress, they may transition to IOP or OP, maintaining continuity of care with the same clinical team at MVBH. This flexible continuum ensures that adults receive the right level of support at each stage of recovery, without disruption to therapeutic relationships or treatment plans.

How to Start Full Day Treatment

  1. 1

    Contact MVBH

    Call 978-233-9597 to speak with our admissions team. We'll answer your questions, discuss your needs, and explain the PHP process.

  2. 2

    Insurance & Benefits Verification

    We'll work with you to verify your insurance coverage. Coverage varies by plan, so contact us to confirm your benefits.

  3. 3

    Clinical Assessment

    You'll meet with a clinician for an in-depth assessment to determine if PHP is the right level of care and to begin developing your personalized treatment plan.

  4. 4

    Begin Treatment

    Once admitted, you'll start attending daily programming at our Amesbury facility, joining individual therapy, group sessions, and skill-building activities designed for your recovery.

Historic Mill 77 building in Amesbury, home to MVBH's outpatient programs

Why Choose MVBH's Full Day Treatment?

Merrimack Valley Behavioral Health has earned a 5.0 average rating on Google from verified clients and families, reflecting our commitment to compassionate, evidence-based care. Our DPH-licensed programs serve adults across Massachusetts in a warm, restorative setting at the historic Mill 77 in Amesbury.

We treat the whole person—mental health, substance use, trauma, and co-occurring conditions—with integrated therapies, medication support, and a focus on real-world skills. Our team walks alongside you at every step, from crisis stabilization to sustained wellness.

  • 5.0 Google RatingTrusted by clients and families across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore
  • DPH LicensedFully licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
  • Integrated CareMental health, substance use, and trauma treatment in one coordinated plan

Your path to personalized mental wellness starts here.

Call now or verify your insurance — a confidential conversation, not a commitment.

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If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911. MVBH is not an emergency service.
Treatment terminology notice: At Merrimack Valley Behavioral Health, our day-based programs are referred to as Full Day Treatment and Half Day Treatment. In Massachusetts, insurance providers commonly refer to these levels of care as PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) and IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program). Any reference to PHP or IOP on this site refers to our Full Day Treatment or Half Day Treatment programs.