September 9th, 2025
In a time where information is infinite, media moves at lightspeed and daily responsibilities seem to be never ending, feeling anxious has become a normalized sensation for many. And while anxiety is a resourceful emotion that serves as a biological warning system, when experienced too often or too intensely, it can become debilitating and put our nervous system into overdrive.
Anxiety can look like:
Without anxiety entirely, I wouldn’t be here writing this blog because I most likely would have been mauled by a bear, ate days-old food sitting outside or didn’t feel the need to check for cars before crossing the street! While we require anxiety to be able to assess environments and identify potential threats, living life in a constant state of hyper vigilance can result in persistent false alarms and a sense of fear.
Living with severe anxiety can be isolating and immobilize us from making decisions, going to work, seeing loved ones, and simply enjoying life. With over 50% of Americans experiencing heightened anxiety towards job security, bills, health and world events, it’s difficult to know when it is time to consider mental health treatment. Keep reading to dive deeper into what severe anxiety is and how to know when it's time to get professional mental health help.
Have you engaged in individual therapy and tried psychiatric anxiety medications to manage your anxiety just to feel like it isn’t working? Is your anxiety impacting your ability to perform work responsibilities, see loved ones, take care of yourself and follow through on commitments? Do you walk out of individual therapy for anxiety feeling relief but struggle to manage the anxiety outside of sessions?
If the answer is yes, it may be time to consider a higher level of care. When single individual anxiety therapy sessions or psychiatric services are not enough, higher levels of care can offer more intensive and consistent therapeutic intervention that utilize group therapy, skill building, psychiatric management and one-on-one individualized care.
It can be difficult to not compare the way anxiety impacts you versus your friends and family. You may even be asking yourself, “How can others manage these feelings so well?” or “Why does my anxiety seem so much worse than those around me?” And while the word “anxiety” can be verbally expressed by many, the way it feels is deeply personal and different for everyone.
Considering higher levels of care is not an easy decision and initiating the first steps may even heighten the emotion you are hoping to decrease. Our goal is to support you in every part of this process so you can redefine how anxiety shows up in your life.
For a deeper look at how to recognize when anxiety may require a higher level of care, head to our blog "How to Recognize When Anxiety Requires Intensive Treatment".
After showing interest in PHP/IOP ( mental health program for severe anxiety), you will be scheduled for an assessment. Whether you are an appropriate fit for a partial hospitalization program or intensive outpatient program is based on severity, frequency and functional impairment of your anxiety. But what are these programs and how do they help with anxiety?
A PHP program and IOP program works towards stabilization of symptoms so you can re-engage in life effectively and focus on your goals. Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are creatures of habit, regardless of whether these impact us in positive or negative ways. The structure and consistency of PHP/IOP programs allows for more effective replacement of old behaviors and ways of thinking with new skills and healthier habits.
For those with higher intensity anxiety resulting in more severe impairment in daily life, the partial hospitalization program (PHP Program) can be a great fit. Our PHP treatment offers daily group support Monday through Friday 12pm-4pm. The partial hospitalization program includes individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric services, and skill building around distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. This allows consistent and intensive support to help build your skillset to managing anxiety in your daily life.
For those who may require a less intensive treatment option, intensive outpatient programs are offered at various times depending on your preference/needs: morning (8:30 AM-11:30 AM), evenings (4:30 PM-7:30 PM) and virtual (4:30 PM-7:30 PM) and have a weekly attendance of 3-5 days/week. Our IOP treatment includes individual therapy, group therapy and skill building around distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness and mindfulness. These schedules allow flexibility regarding your other life responsibilities including outpatient therapy services such as one-on-one therapy and outpatient psychiatric services.
It is no small feat to prioritize your mental health, and you don’t need all the answers to do so. At Clarity, we can provide you with all the necessary information to appropriately assess whether Clarity’s PHP/IOP program is right for you and your goals. There is no single or right way to treat anxiety, and we hope to empower you to consider all options and possibilities to minimize daily distress.
Whether you have never heard of “PHP/IOP” and the term higher level of care or if you have tried other forms of anxiety treatment and are looking for something new, our mental health clinic can assist you in finding the next step. With the best anxiety therapists in Chicago, we can work together to find a tailored anxiety treatment plan that works for you.
Explore our blog "PHP vs. IOP: What Does It All Mean?" to better understand the differences and find out which program may be right for you.
Anxiety significantly impacts the sympathetic nervous system’s “fight or flight” response which releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol that can cause increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness to our environment. After consistent activation of the sympathetic “fight or flight” response, our body can get “stuck” in this response and lead to chronic hyperarousal which keeps the body on high alert.
Our mental health clinic’s PHP program and IOP program will teach you real skills to help calm the nervous system and reduce overall distress through evidenced based techniques. Additionally, our PHP treatment and IOP treatment programs offer group spaces to discuss the unique ways anxiety impacts our daily lives and identify skills to manage symptoms going forward.
Treating anxiety is not a quick process and our specialized anxiety therapists will help remind you that slow and achievable goals amount to incredible changes. You’ll have a personalized and curated anxiety treatment plan that is reviewed frequently so you can work towards long-lasting relief and tangible progress.
PHP and IOP Program therapists can play a supportive role and establish a strong care team during or upon your discharge, so your growth continues after the program. It’s our staff's top priority to collaborate with you and your care team to ensure smooth transitions every step of the way. With a team of highly specialized anxiety therapists, psychiatrists, and more, we proudly offer the best PHP and IOP programs near you!
Taking the first step toward getting help can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you or your loved one is struggling with anxiety, our Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs may provide the structured, evidence-based care you need.
We invite you to fill out our quick consultation form to see if our anxiety treatment programs are the right fit. During this confidential consultation, our team will answer your questions, review your unique situation, and guide you through the next steps.
Not sure if you’re ready yet? That’s okay. You can also reach out simply to learn more about how our mental health programs work and explore whether this level of support could benefit you or your family.
Start today—request your consultation and discover how Clarity Clinic can help you or your teen build healthier coping skills and find relief from anxiety.
Request Information or Schedule a ConsultationRelated Readings:
Is IOP or PHP more intense?
PHP is more intense than IOP. PHP is a good fit for those who need a higher level of care than IOP.
Is PHP the same as IOP?
No, PHP is not the same as IOP. While they are both intensive outpatient programs, PHP is a slightly more intense requiring more hours and includes psychiatric care as well. Head to our blog for more information "Is PHP The Same as IOP?"
How many hours a day is IOP?
PHP is around 3 hours a day and (9-15 hours per week.
What is the best program for anxiety?
PHP and IOP programs are a great option to treat severe anxiety when traditional talk therapy and medication management do not seem to be enough.
Our Services
Virtual/Online CarePHP and IOPAdult PsychiatryChild & Adolescent PsychiatryAdult TherapyChild & Adolescent TherapyCouples CounselingFamily TherapyGroup TherapyPsychological TestingTranscranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
