Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in Connecticut - The Hilltop at High Watch
The Hilltop is a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for guests
in the beautiful Litchfield Hills in Kent, Connecticut
The Hilltop at High Watch Recovery Center offers a partial hospitalization program, commonly referred to as PHP. It is designed for males who have completed a minimum of 28 days of residential treatment. This step-down program facilitates adjustment to a home-like environment while providing daily clinical work.
Hilltop guests return to our main campus to participate in the daily programming offered at High Watch. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., they attend groups, therapy, step coaching, and medical and clinical care.
Evenings provide individual free time among peers, group meals, and attendance at nightly off-campus AA meetings. Hilltop guests often encounter triggers they will face after leaving residential treatment, and this program offers ongoing staff support with a personalized treatment team that can address challenges and help prepare guests for the next step in their treatment journey.
What The Hilltop Offers
In-House Therapeutic Services
- Individual Therapy
- Recovery Coaching
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- 12-Step Workshop
- EMDR
- Medication Management
- Aftercare Planning
- Employment Assistance
- Education Assistance
- Drug & Alcohol Testing
- Twenty-four-hour staff
In-House Expressive Therapeutic Services
- Meditation & Breathing
- Spiritual Support
- 12 step recovery
- In house fitness center
Community Services Offered
- Nightly off campus AA meetings
- Opportunity to seek sponsorship
- Alumni activities
- Adventure and team-building activities
Why Choose a Partial Hospitalization Program?
You gain the freedom to use cell phones and other electronic devices.
You get time and flexibility to continue treatment.
It is an opportunity to continue your High Watch experience.
In the High Watch PHP, guests benefit from therapeutic services every day. They can continue learning about their addiction and obtaining new coping skills. Hilltop guests can also utilize group sessions facilitated by highly trained clinical staff. These sessions help guests better understand problematic patterns as they work to maintain their sobriety in the community.
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a structured, intensive level of care that bridges the gap between residential inpatient treatment and standard outpatient services. In a PHP, guests receive several hours of clinical programming each day — groups, individual therapy, and medical appointments — then return to a supervised living environment in the evenings.
PHP is the most intensive form of outpatient care available. It is typically the right fit for guests who have completed a residential program and need continued structure before returning to independent living, or for those who require more support than a standard intensive outpatient program (IOP) but no longer need 24-hour inpatient supervision.
About The Hilltop
The Hilltop at High Watch is designed for adult men who have completed a minimum of 28 days of residential treatment. Guests reside in a home-like environment on the High Watch campus and return to our main facility each day for structured programming.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hilltop guests attend groups, therapy sessions, step coaching, and medical and clinical care alongside the residential program community. Evenings offer individual free time, group meals, and attendance at nightly off-campus AA meetings — creating real-world exposure to the recovery community while 24-hour staff support remains available.
The Hilltop is typically three to nine weeks in length, with duration guided by clinical progress and individual needs.
Who The Hilltop Serves
- Adult men who have completed a minimum of 28 days of residential treatment at High Watch
- Guests transitioning from inpatient care who need continued daily clinical structure
- Men ready to practice real-world recovery skills with clinical backup still in place
- Guests preparing for Hope House sober living or online IOP as their next step
A Typical Day in The Hilltop
Structure is central to recovery at The Hilltop. Guests follow a consistent daily schedule designed to build routine, accountability, and coping skills.
- Morning — guests wake in The Hilltop residence and travel to High Watch's main campus
- 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — daily clinical programming: group therapy, individual therapy, step coaching, medical appointments, and clinical check-ins
- Afternoon — continued group sessions and skill-building with the broader High Watch community
- Evening — free time in The Hilltop residence, group meals with peers, preparation for nightly AA meeting
- Nightly — attendance at off-campus AA meetings, building a sponsor relationship and home group
- 24-hour staff available throughout the evening and overnight
Clinical & Therapeutic Services
Hilltop guests have full access to High Watch's clinical programming during their daily visits to our main campus.
In-House Therapeutic Services
- Individual Therapy
- Recovery Coaching
- Family Therapy
- Group Therapy
- 12-Step Workshop
- EMDR Therapy
- Medication Management
- Aftercare Planning
- Employment Assistance
- Education Assistance
- Drug & Alcohol Testing
- 24-Hour Staff Support
Expressive & Holistic Therapeutic Services
- Meditation & Breathing
- Spiritual Support
- 12-Step Recovery Work
- In-House Fitness Center Access
Community-Based Services
- Nightly off-campus AA meetings
- Opportunity to seek a sponsor and begin step work
- Alumni activities and peer connection
- Adventure and team-building activities
Why PHP After Residential Treatment?
Real-World Practice With Clinical Backup
The transition from 24-hour residential care back to daily life is one of the most vulnerable periods in early recovery. The Hilltop places guests in a home-like environment where they encounter real-world triggers — peer dynamics, free time, community settings — while a dedicated clinical team and 24-hour staff remain available to help them work through those challenges.
Continued High Watch Clinical Care
Hilltop guests don't leave the High Watch community — they remain an active part of it. Returning to our main campus each day means continued access to the same clinicians, medical staff, and therapeutic programming that defined their residential experience.
Building the Habits of Sober Community Life
Nightly attendance at off-campus AA meetings gives Hilltop guests the opportunity to build a genuine recovery network — finding a home group, seeking a sponsor, and practicing the commitments they'll need to sustain after leaving High Watch.
Practical Freedoms That Prepare You for What's Next
At The Hilltop, guests can use cell phones and electronic devices. This is intentional. Learning to manage modern life — with its demands, distractions, and potential triggers — is part of the step-down process. Staff are there to help process those moments in real time.
Insurance & Payment for PHP
High Watch is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and also accepts Cigna, Aetna, and United Healthcare. Partial hospitalization programs are covered by most major insurance plans as an intensive level of care. Verify your insurance before you begin, or call our admissions team and we'll confirm your benefits directly.
The Full High Watch Continuum of Care
The Hilltop PHP is one step in a comprehensive continuum. Most guests arrive at The Hilltop from residential inpatient treatment and transition from there to Hope House sober living or our online IOP.
- Medical Detox
- Residential Inpatient Treatment
- The Hilltop — PHP (you are here)
- Hope House — Sober Living Continuum
- Online Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Alumni Programs & Support
Frequently Asked Questions — The Hilltop PHP
Who is The Hilltop designed for? The Hilltop is designed for adult men who have completed a minimum of 28 days of residential treatment and are ready to transition to structured day programming while living in a supervised environment on campus.
What does "partial hospitalization" mean? Partial hospitalization (PHP) means guests attend intensive clinical programming during the day — typically 5 to 6 hours — and return to a residential or supervised home environment in the evenings. It is the most intensive level of outpatient care available.
Where do Hilltop guests live during PHP? Hilltop guests reside in a home-like environment on the High Watch campus, returning to our main facility each day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for clinical programming.
What insurance covers PHP at High Watch? High Watch is in-network with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and accepts Cigna, Aetna, and United Healthcare. PHP is covered as an intensive outpatient level of care under most major plans. Call us or visit our insurance page to verify your specific benefits.
How long is The Hilltop PHP? The Hilltop is typically three to nine weeks, with length of stay guided by clinical progress and individual treatment needs.
What happens after The Hilltop PHP? Most Hilltop graduates transition to Hope House sober living or our online IOP. Your treatment team develops discharge and aftercare recommendations throughout your time at The Hilltop.
Is The Hilltop only for men? Yes. The Hilltop PHP at High Watch is currently designed for male guests. Women seeking a step-down level of care after residential treatment should speak with our admissions team about available options.
How do I get into The Hilltop PHP? The Hilltop is typically entered following a minimum of 28 days of residential treatment, either at High Watch or through a referral. Call our admissions team to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Ready to talk about PHP? Call us today — our admissions team is available 365 days a year.
