Outpatient Programs
The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, located in Washington, DC, provides an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for adults, as well as a trauma outpatient program.
Our outpatient day programs will meet individuals where they are and provide the outpatient care necessary to help them take positive steps forward. We serve adults who live in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, area.

Intensive Outpatient & Partial Hospitalization Program
Both the adult IOP & PHP programs offer a structured daily schedule consisting of evidence-based group therapy, hands-on art therapy and expressive activities.
Through the adult PHP program and adult IOP program, we help individuals experiencing mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, bipolar diagnoses, or anxiety return to a healthy daily routine that incorporates self-care, social interaction and mindfulness.
The Partial Hospitalization Program provides an intense, structured treatment setting for individuals who would benefit from daily therapeutic interventions or who would otherwise require inpatient psychiatric care.
Adult Mental Health
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
- 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
- 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
- More than 20% of U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stress can have a big impact on mental health.
It’s natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during challenging times. Feeling strong emotions or being stressed can have negative effects on your health. Stress can cause the following:
- Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration.
- Changes in appetite, energy, desires, or interests.
- Problems concentrating or making decisions.
- Nightmares or problems sleeping.
- Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, or skin rashes.
- Worsening of chronic diseases and mental health conditions.
- Overeating or not eating enough.
Who We Treat
The Psychiatric Institute of Washington treats individuals facing a variety of mental health issues by providing:
- PTSD outpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment for depression
- Mood disorders outpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment for anxiety
- Trauma-focused treatment for trauma-related disorders
- Treatment for a variety of other mental health disorders
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
Individuals who attend our adult intensive outpatient program come to the PIW Day Center from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. three days a week for intensive outpatient psychiatric services and group therapy sessions.
While multiple groups are offered in our mental health IOP program, licensed clinicians work with each individual to develop an individualized treatment plan based on the client’s strengths, diagnosis and identified opportunities for growth and skill building.
During adult intensive outpatient treatment, patients generally attend three groups a day and receive other individualized care provided by licensed clinicians and a psychiatrist in accordance with the client’s treatment plan.
Partial Hospitalization Treatment (PHP)
The Partial Hospitalization Program runs five days per week, five hours each day 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., plus a 30 minute lunch break. Each day:
- Begins with a community meeting group to review the daily schedule
- Welcomes any new individuals
- Reviews progress on treatment goals
- Addresses any concerns or challenges
During treatment, patients generally attend four groups a day and receive other individualized care provided by licensed clinicians and a psychiatrist in accordance with the patient’s treatment plan.
Trauma Informed Services
The trauma PHP program and trauma IOP program at PIW both utilize evidence-based approaches to treatment.
Drawing on cognitive restructuring, psychoeducational, and skills-training techniques, the intervention emphasizes the development of coping skills and social support.
It addresses both short-term and long-term consequences of violent victimization and neglect, including mental health symptoms, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse stemming from a traumatic event.
Our partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program for trauma understand what individuals have been through, and through a caring, sensitive environment, help to foster trauma recovery.
Mindfulness
The PHP and IOP services at PIW utilize the practice of Mindfulness to support clients in their healing.
Mindfulness is an integrative, mind-body based approach that helps people to manage their thoughts, feelings and mental health. It has become widely used in a range of contexts to support emotional health and awareness.
Mindfulness exercises are ways of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing and yoga.
Training helps people to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and body sensations so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, they are better able to manage them. Practicing mindfulness can give more insight into emotions, boost attention and concentration as well as improve relationships.
Who is eligible for the Day Center?
PIW’s PHP and IOP services offer evidence-based treatment and skill enhancement to improve a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Our clinicians perform a thorough assessment to determine if intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization is an appropriate level of care. A good candidate for the program has:
- An acute psychiatric disorder but is not at imminent risk for suicide or harm to others
- Capacity to fully participate
- Reasonable expectation of improvement
- A history of trauma
- A history of significant life challenges
Contact Psychiatric Institute of Washington
The Psychiatric Institute of Washington, located in Washington, DC, provides outpatient services for adults who may benefit from a structured, therapeutic day program.
Whether you need a PHP for trauma, an IOP for depression or any other combination of service, we are here to help. Being in a program that features support groups or individual therapy can help those struggling with mental health or trauma.
Call us today to learn more about our PHP and IOP psychiatric day program services for adults at 1-800-369-2273 or contact us online.