Rush Day Hospital, Chicago, Illinois (PHP, IOP, Group Treatment)

Treatment at the Rush Day Hospital is a part of the continuum of mental health treatment at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. It provides individuals with intensive goal-oriented group based programming fostering social competence, symptom management, self-esteem and emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness skills, distress tolerance and adaptive coping. This innovative treatment may allow an alternative to or a transition from an inpatient unit.

The Rush Day Hospital program provides individualized treatment within a dynamic, intensive group process focused on assisting individuals to better manage the symptoms of their illnesses as well as other aspects of their lives. Through their work, patients achieve a better sense of competence and improve their ability to function in their life roles.

An individual can seek treatment through the Rush Day Hospital at any stage of psychiatric illness, as long as 24-hour a day supervision is not required. The programs provide individuals with the opportunity to participate in the intensity of setting most appropriate for their needs. Treatment may begin in PHP and, as patients achieve higher levels of functioning but may still require intervention beyond individual therapy, they may choose alternate programming such as IOP, Group Treatment or Evening Group Therapy.

The team seeks to foster an inclusive climate where differences are accepted, understood and valued. The Rush Day Hospital treats people 17 years of age and older who are diagnosed with affective and anxiety disorders, personality disorders and other complex and treatment refractory conditions that interfere with relationships and daily functioning.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Monday – Friday
8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

PHP is designed to provide an alternative to or a transition from treatment on an inpatient unit for individuals who do not need the security of 24-hour monitoring. PHP allows for a combination of group psychotherapy, medication management, psychoeducation and activity programs to meet the needs of individuals with a variety of serious disturbances in their mental well-being, which may prevent them from adequately functioning in their vocational, school, home or social settings.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Monday – Friday
8:45 a.m. to noon

IOP is a less intensive alternative to partial hospitalization for those who may still need a more concentrated treatment setting than outpatient. Individuals in IOP participate in three hours of group therapy per day for up to five days per week. Participants in the IOP have the opportunity to utilize the therapeutic groups to better understand problematic patterns as they maintain or reinstate life role functions and supportive connections in the community.

Group Therapy
Weekday evenings
5:00 to 6:30 p.m.

RDH also offers weekly group therapy evening sessions. The evening group offers individuals who are maintaining or returning to functioning in day time work roles to explore interpersonal issues in a therapeutic setting.

Treatment in the programs is provided by a multidisciplinary staff, including a psychiatrist, nurses, case manager, social workers, expressive art therapists and recreational therapists.

Together, these experts develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient based on his or her particular needs and goals for treatment. The Day Hospital’s team collaborates with the individual to provide a compassionate patient-family centered approach in a respectful community of peers.