Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for Teens

When weekly therapy isn't enough but hospitalization feels like too much, PHP creates that essential middle space. Our Partial Hospitalization Program works with teens ages 12-18 who need intensive daily support while still coming home each evening. At Bright Path, we believe you already have what you need to heal—we're here to help you discover and strengthen those capabilities.

Our PHP operates under North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services licensing (License 27G-1100) and holds CARF accreditation, ensuring the highest quality standards. We serve families throughout North Carolina from our Wake Forest and Hillsborough locations, plus offer virtual programming for those who need it.

We've designed two distinct tracks because a 12-year-old and an 18-year-old aren't facing the same challenges. Summit Path (ages 15-18) focuses on high school realities like identity, relationships, and future planning. Meadow Path (ages 12-15) addresses middle school developmental needs with family dynamics and peer pressures front and center.

Every teen in our PHP learns Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills through daily groups, meets weekly with a therapist for individual support, and connects with a psychiatric provider—whether they're on medication or not. Because mental health involves your whole self, not just your brain chemistry.

Depression touches 1 in 8 North Carolina teens, yet less than half receive the care they need. When 39% of teens report persistent sadness or hopelessness, it's clear we need more than traditional once-a-week approaches. PHP provides that intensive support, often preventing the need for psychiatric hospitalization.

Here's what makes our PHP different:

Six hours daily, five days a week of structured therapeutic programming
Two developmentally appropriate tracks (no mixing 12-year-olds with 18-year-olds)
Evidence-based DBT skills taught through engaging, interactive groups
Weekly sessions with both your therapist and psychiatric provider
Three admission days each week (you don't wait weeks to start)
Music and horticulture therapy integrated throughout programming
Daily academic support coordinated with your school
Weekly family therapy focused on communication and stability
Virtual option available statewide for accessibility

Bright Path’s PHP consists of Four Clinical Components and 3 Support Services

Group Therapy

Group sessions at Bright Path are the core of our program — where teens gain the practical tools they need to understand and manage their mental health. Each day includes about three groups, tailored to developmental needs so teens learn in ways that feel relevant and accessible.

Our groups span four types — psychoeducational, skill-building, processing, and experiential — because not everything worth learning can be talked through in a chair. And this isn't what you've seen on TV.

There's also a reason group is at the center of everything we do: adolescent brains are wired to learn from peers. The group isn't just a format choice — it's one of the most effective ways to reach teens at this stage of life.

What Does Bright Path's PHP in North Carolina Include?

Programs

Summit Path PHP - Ages 15-18

Description

Summit Path is designed for high schoolers who need intensive support while navigating the complex realities of adolescence. Whether your teen is experiencing depression that's affecting school performance, anxiety that's limiting their social connections, self-harm behaviors, or thoughts of suicide, Summit provides the structure and skills needed.

What makes Summit different isn't just the age range—it's that we address the developmental tasks high schoolers are actually facing: identity formation, romantic relationships, college planning, driving, and increasing independence.

Programming runs Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Most teens complete our 5-week curriculum, though clinical needs may extend treatment. We admit new participants three days each week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays) at both 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

What to Expect

Why is Bright Path’s PHP different from others?

Everything Under One Roof

At Bright Path, every service — individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care, education coordination, aftercare coordination and care advocacy — is included for every teen, every time. No add-ons. No fine print. No "that's only available if your insurance covers it." We bill all-inclusively because we believe every teen deserves the full program, not a version of it. And because everything happens within program hours, families aren't left coordinating a circus of outside appointments on top of everything else they're already managing.

Rolling Admissions — Because Waiting Isn't an Option

We admit new teens throughout the week. When your teen needs help, the last thing you should hear is "the next session starts in three weeks." We've built our admissions process to move as fast as your family needs it to.

Developmentally Separate — On Purpose

A 13-year-old navigating friend drama and a 17-year-old stressing about college applications have genuinely different needs. Meadow Path (12–15) and Summit Path (15–18) aren't just different groups — they're distinct programs built around where teens actually are developmentally. Placement is based on maturity, not just a birthday.

School Partnership, Not Just a Note

We don't hand your teen an absence note and call it handled. We know that for a lot of teens, mental health and school attendance have been tangled together for a while — and the fear of falling further behind can feel like a reason not to get help at all. Our Education Liaisons work directly with your teen's school to establish homebound status, protect their rights as a student with a medical need, coordinate assignments, and keep communication open throughout treatment. When it's time to return, we bring everyone to the table — school staff, your teen, and your family — to make sure that transition actually works.

Intensive Without Being Institutional

Six hours a day, five days a week gives teens the level of support that weekly therapy simply can't provide — without the disruption of inpatient care. Teens go home at the end of the day. They sleep in their own beds. They stay connected to their families. The intensity is clinical. The experience doesn't have to feel like it.

From First Call to First Day

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Clinical Review
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First Day of Care

Contact Us

Trailhead Check-In

Clinical Review

First Day of Care

Learn More About Group Therapy at Bright Path

with Jalecia Beatty LCMHC, Regional Clinical Director

Bright Path is Led by a Team Who is Both Skilled And Deeply Human

Bright Path’s teams includes licensed therapists, psychiatry providers, educators, and other professionals who are both skilled and passionate about adolescent mental health

Shantel Sullivan - Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Sullivan brings extensive experience to her role as Bright Path’s Chief Executive Officer. She has been a clinical leader in residential adolescent treatment, adult outpatient services, and academia. With more than a decade of experience as a licensed social worker in New York and North Carolina, Dr. Sullivan has collaborated broadly with individuals, families, and the community. Dr. Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the State University of New York at Potsdam in 2006, a Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW), and a graduate certificate in addictions counseling in 2008 from the University of New England. She went on to complete a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in transformational leadership also from the University of New England in Portland, Maine in 2017. She served as a faculty member for the State of New York Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Bureau of Workforce Development where she provided regional education on adolescent co-occurring disorders. She moved to North Carolina in 2016 to work in academia as an assistant professor of social work at Western Carolina University. In 2020, she moved to Raleigh to be closer to family and became an adjunct professor at North Carolina State University School of Social Work, where she still teaches part-time. She is a seasoned national speaker, social worker instructor, clinical field instructor, and member of the National Association of Social Workers. In addition to Dr. Sullivan's clinical work, she edits all of the content on the Bright Path Teen Mental Health Blog to ensure accuracy and accessibility to all of our readers. Dr. Sullivan is committed to increasing access to evidence-based, compassionate, mental health care for adolescents. She further understands the challenges ALL members of a family experience when their loved one is suffering.

Jennifer Hoffman - Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Jennifer is a licensed and nationally board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who provides psychiatric care including assessment, diagnoses, medication management, and therapeutic treatment for teens admitted to PHP programming. She is a graduate of Duke University with a Master of Science in Nursing, with 13 years of experience in health care including but not limited to pediatric inpatient psychiatry and perinatal care. Jennifer believes in patient and family-centered health care, collaboration, and integrative care. She is passionate about spreading access to quality mental health care and responding to mental health crises with effective treatment, empathy, and support. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys crafting with her children. She also loves to create a comfortable and relaxing space in her office at Bright Path!

Abigail Krieck - Director of Strategic Impact and Outreach

Dedicated to the cause of mental health and well-being, Abigail is a compassionate Clinical Outreach Specialist at Bright Path Behavioral Health. She plays a pivotal role in bringing support, hope, and healing to individuals and communities in need.

With 10 years of experience in mental health, Abigail is an advocate for those who may otherwise go unnoticed. Her work as a Clinical Outreach Specialist revolves around ensuring that no one is left behind, that everyone has access to the resources and care they deserve.

At Bright Path Behavioral Health, Abigail plays a central role in connecting individuals to the vital services they require when stepping down from programming. She specializes in community engagement, and is known for resource coordination that bridges the gap between need and assistance.

Abigail is committed to fostering partnerships and collaboration within the community. She actively engages in other mental health providers and programs, schools, youth groups, government agencies, and extracurricular programs, working tirelessly to expand access to mental health support.

Abigail holds her role at Bright Path Behavioral Health with distinction, ensuring that the program’s mission of making quality mental health treatment accessible is realized every day. She is instrumental in breaking down the barriers and stigma associated with mental health, making it easier for individuals to seek help when they need it.

Outside of her role at Bright Path, Abigail enjoys hiking with her dogs, cooking, baking, and raising carnivorous plants, which provide a well-deserved break and contribute to her own mental well-being.

Abigail is driven by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to lead a mentally healthy life. As a Clinical Outreach Specialist, she embodies this principle and works tirelessly to ensure that help is just a call or conversation away.

Jalecia Beatty - Regional Clinical Director

Jalecia is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHC) and serves as the Clinical Director. She started at Bright Path as a graduate student intern and is an instrumental part of the program’s growth and development.

Jalecia attended East Carolina University for undergraduate and graduate studies; and has a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a concentration in science, and a master’s in clinical counseling in mental health and substance abuse.

She is passionate about expanding access to intensive and quality mental health care for adolescents. As someone who has navigated their own journey towards healing and self-acceptance, she personally knows how important it is to have a safe space during your healing journey and how limited the options are for teens. It’s her goal, as one of the psychotherapists and as the PHP program manager, to provide that for teens who are struggling as well as work towards increasing the resources that are available.

In her free time, she loves traveling and spending time watching Supernatural with her dogs!

Ari D’Alessandro - Teen Care Advocate

Ari graduated from NC State in 2024 with a B.A. in psychology and minors in philosophy, cognitive science, and dance. She spent two years working as a research assistant with a focus on ethics of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and serves as an editorial intern for the American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience. She has also volunteered as a crisis counselor with Crisis Text line since 2021, which sparked her interest in crisis intervention and providing empathetic mental health care to those in need.

Ari is enthusiastic about providing empowering mental health care to teens and young adults, particularly through teaching dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, and is interested in the application of creative therapies, such as dance movement therapy (DMT). She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with an interdisciplinary research focus on personality disorders and the development of novel personality assessments at the intersection of psychology and philosophy. In her free time, Ari enjoys writing, dancing, and spending time with friends.

Michele Jones - Education Liaison

Michele is a native of Fayetteville N. C. Ms. She attended and graduated from Hampton University with a bachelor’s in social work (BSW). Working in various positions before settling in New York to work for a Non-Profit Foster Care Agency as a Social Worker, where she learned of her love for working with adolescents and their families. Ms. Jones then decided to further her education to learn how to effectively help individuals and families deal with the many struggles they faced and went on to earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Hunter College School of Social Work.

Upon moving back to North Carolina and continuing to work with young people as a North Carolina Board Certified Special Education Master Teacher. Ms. Jones taught in North Carolina Public Schools for 18 years as a Special Education Teacher for students with various Learning Disabilities at the Elementary and High School level.

She believes students must be healthy to be educated and educated to be healthy. She uses a collaborative approach and various treatment modalities that have helped strengthen family units, also identifying and treating the core of any diagnosis or issue is essential when working with individuals.

In her spare time, Ms. Jones enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, and enjoying her happy place, the North Carolina Beaches.

Reviews from Teens and Families

Choosing a PHP isn't just about credentials and curriculum—it's about finding a place where your teen can be authentic, make real connections, and build lasting skills for managing life's challenges.

Scout O’Brien

This place is awesome!!!! From my experience as a patient here, all the staff are really kind and patient and have helped me through my crisis and my therapy journey. They also have snacks!!! I highly recommend this place for anyone who needs it. :D

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10 months ago

Ben Pfotenhauer

Bright Path Behavioral Health offers exceptional anxiety treatment for teens in Wake Forest. Their tailored treatment plans and compassionate staff helped my teen manage their anxiety effectively. Highly recommend their comprehensive approach to anxiety treatment!

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11 months ago

John Doe

Ride The Wave!
- Tony

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a year ago

CROAXER

Changed my life forever. Put me on a Brightpath :)

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a year ago

Lesley Ireland

I don’t typically leave reviews but I do not want any other child or family to struggle when there is an amazing resource like Bright Path in our community. My daughter is still a patient in the PHP and has also been in the IOP. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the program, the staff and most importantly, the significant improvement in my daughter’s symptoms. It is not an exaggeration when I say she is a different person and for the better. She was suffering with symptoms she didn’t understand and the team at Bright Path has given her the tools to continue her mental health self care throughout her life. I wish every teen had this opportunity. I can’t thank BP enough and I wish I could give a million stars rather than 5!

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a year ago

K Farnsworth

My child went through the PHP program and it was a major turning point in their recovery. It was Bright Path or residential, and having that option for PHP at a place that felt safe with practitioners who truly care was a godsend. I can’t say enough good things about how my child did. The bonus was that my child also liked going! They made some true friends there.

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a year ago

Tiffany Munro

I can't say enough good things about Bright Path. They are so different than other PHPs in the Raleigh area. The staff genuinely cares about the clients and their families. From intake to graduation from the program we felt care and professionalism every step of the way. Positive attitudes, willingness to look deeper into issues, communication is excellent, and always willing to listen to find solutions or just be the support we needed. I wish they could train other PHPs in the state, because they are doing it the right way.

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a year ago

PHP Frequently Asked Questions

How long does PHP last?: Teens in PHP at Bright Path complete our 5-week curriculum, though clinical needs may extend treatment. The five-week structure ensures comprehensive skill building while recognizing that every teen's healing timeline is different.
What's the daily schedule like?: Programming runs Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Days include multiple therapy groups, individual sessions, psychiatric consultations, creative therapies, and academic time. We build in breaks and lunch, balancing intensive learning with needed downtime.
Can my teen attend school during PHP?: While in PHP, teens will not attend school temporarily. During this time, teens will prioritize their mental health, and our Education Liaisons will help coordinate schoolwork. We understand that it can feel overwhelming, so Bright Path walks alongside you each step of the way, from admission to discharge.
How much does PHP cost?: Honest answer: it depends on your insurance carrier and where you are in your plan — and we'd rather tell you that upfront than throw out a number that doesn't reflect your reality.
Reach out, and our team will work to get you a transparent, conservative estimate as quickly as possible. We handle the insurance piece so you can focus on your teen.
Will insurance cover PHP?: Most insurance plans do cover PHP — but coverage varies depending on your carrier, your plan, and where you are in your benefits. Whether you're in-network or out-of-network, our team handles all the insurance verification and advocacy on your behalf so you're not left guessing.
The best way to find out where you stand is to reach out. We'll dig into the details so you don't have to.
Is virtual PHP available?: Bright Path does not offer a virtual PHP option at this time. We offer IOP virtually for teens who need it.
What's the difference between Summit and Meadow Paths?: Summit (ages 15-18) addresses high school developmental challenges like identity formation, relationships, and future planning. Meadow (ages 12-15) focuses on middle school concerns like family dynamics and peer pressures. Developmental maturity determines placement for 15-year-olds.
How is PHP different from IOP?: PHP provides six hours daily, five days weekly, while IOP operates 9 hours weekly across three days. Teens participating in PHP will not attend school, but do have the daily academic hour to work on priority assignments. While in PHP, teens and their families will also participate in weekly family therapy. The primary goal of PHP is to stabilize your teens' symptoms, primarily their suicidal ideation, self-harm urges, and depression or anxiety.
How are families involved?: Families participate through integrated admission assessments, weekly family therapy sessions, and parent check-ins.
What happens after PHP?: After a teen completes PHP, they will step down to our Horizon IOP path for continued skill reinforcement. Your teen and family will also work with the Aftercare Coordinator to discuss other resources that include therapeutic and nontherapeutic activities.
Who is PHP appropriate for?: PHP serves teens experiencing depression affecting daily functioning, anxiety preventing normal activities, self-harm behaviors, thoughts of suicide, recent psychiatric hospitalization, school refusal, or family relationship breakdown requiring intensive intervention.
What makes your PHP different?: Bright Path has intentionally curated developmentally appropriate paths that directly address the needs of the teens in our programs. Our program is teen-centered, meaning that our approach to treatment includes walking alongside of teens in their journey and working with them, setting us apart from larger, institutional programs.
Why homebound status?: Homebound is a service offered to teens who are unable to attend school for a period of time. Homebound prevents absence penalties and provides accommodations for teens while they are able to pause for treatment. Some private schools may not have Homebound status, but our Education Liaisons will work with them to find the most appropriate support.
Is lunch provided?: Families provide lunch for teens. Occasionally, the teens are provided with lunch that Bright Path provides to celebrate holidays or other special occasions.

Insurance Providers We Work With

We Serve Teens Throughout North Carolina

Wake Forest PHP

Located at 203 Capcom Ave, Suite 104, Wake Forest, NC 275877, serving families throughout the Research Triangle. Convenient to Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Holly Springs, and surrounding Wake County communities.

Hillsborough PHP

Our Orange County location serves families in Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro, Mebane, Burlington, and surrounding areas. Centrally located for northern Triangle and Piedmont region access.

Tour Our North Carolina Facilities

Our facilities feel more like community centers than clinical spaces—because teens heal better in environments designed for them, not for impressing adults.

Group therapy rooms are comfortable and welcoming, with separate spaces for Summit and Meadow tracks. Individual therapy offices provide privacy for weekly sessions with your teen's primary therapist.

Educational spaces support daily academic programming with coordination across North Carolina school districts. Michelle and our education team ensure your teen stays current with coursework while focusing on mental health.

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Common areas host our Behavior Bingo celebrations and provide space for peer connection during breaks. Our behavioral incentive system rewards positive participation with meaningful activities and treats.

Safety remains paramount with clear backpack policies that respect teen autonomy while ensuring appropriate supervision throughout programming.

We Work With Teens Navigating…

Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Co-occurring Disorders with Primary Mental Health Presenting Symptoms

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for Teens