Dr. Tim O’Connor, MD
Psychiatrist
In-Network with Insurance
Treats Substance Use and Mental Health
Monday-Friday
We offer integrated mental health care across our Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Cary locations. That means you can access different types of support—like psychiatry, therapy, and higher levels of care—within one connected system.
Because our services work together, it’s easier to find the right level of support and adjust care as your needs change. Learn more about our full range of mental health services and how we can support you.
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the highest level of outpatient care available for substance use and mental health issues. It is designed to give you the maximum amount of support and help without having to go to an inpatient facility.
PHP typically runs five days a week for several hours a day and includes a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric care, and medication support. You return home each evening, allowing you to stay connected to daily life while receiving structured, intensive care during the day.
This level of care is often helpful during more acute or unstable periods, whether someone is stepping down from inpatient treatment or trying to avoid hospitalization altogether. PHP provides the consistency and support needed to stabilize symptoms and build a foundation before transitioning to a lower level of care, such as an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) or ongoing therapy.
A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) may be helpful when substance use has started to take up more space in daily life and its making day-to-day responsibilities difficult. This can include struggling to stay sober, dealing with strong cravings, trying to cut back but not being able to, feeling emotionally unsteady, or having trouble keeping up with work, school, relationships, or basic routines.
PHP is often used when more consistent support is needed to regain stability. It provides structure, regular check-ins, and a higher level of care during the day, while you return home each evening. This can be especially helpful during periods when substance use has increased and stress starts piling up due to the effects of your substance use.
If you’re unsure whether PHP is the right step, a clinical assessment can help look at what’s been going on, how it’s affecting your daily life, and what kind of support would be most helpful right now.
During our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for substance use, you can expect structured, daytime support designed to help you stabilize, build skills, and regain momentum in recovery while still returning home each evening.
PHP typically runs five days a week for several hours per day and includes a mix of individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatry and medication management, and case management. Psychiatric support is available to help address mental health symptoms, support mood and sleep, and reduce cravings when appropriate, all as part of an integrated treatment plan.
Throughout the program, you’ll work with a consistent clinical team who coordinates care and adjusts support as needed. The structure provides routine and accountability, while still allowing space to practice what you’re learning in daily life.
Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is designed to offer more than short-term stabilization. We focus on helping you build stability, skills, and a foundation for a more meaningful life through care that’s rooted in real, ongoing relationships.
Care is delivered by an integrated team of therapists, psychiatrists, and medical providers trained in both mental health and addiction. Because the same people work with you consistently, care feels coordinated, responsive, and human rather than fragmented or rushed.
Our psychiatrists and medical providers are fully part of the care team, not contracted out. This allows for longer, more thoughtful medication visits and close collaboration with therapists throughout the program. Family therapy is also included, recognizing that recovery happens within relationships and real-life systems, not in isolation.
The goal isn’t just to get through the program. It’s to leave with stronger supports, practical tools, and the confidence that comes from being genuinely known and supported as you move forward.
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Mental health and substance use challenges don’t exist by themselves—and we don’t treat them like they do. Whether you’re navigating anxiety that’s gotten out of hand, depression that won’t lift, or trauma that still lingers, our approach is built to meet you where you are. We work with individuals experiencing a wide range of diagnoses and symptoms, including:Â
We’re not just here to talk—we’re here to give you tools. Our team uses a mix of evidence-based therapies and coordinated care to help you gain clarity, learn skills, and take steps forward that actually stick.Â
No matter what brings you in, our goal is the same: to help you build a life that feels more stable, more manageable, and more meaningful. We work as a team—therapists, psychiatrists, and other providers collaborating with you—so you don’t have to navigate the process alone.Â
Research has shown that Partial Hospitalization Programs are associated with meaningful improvements in symptoms, daily functioning, and overall satisfaction with care. We believe this is especially true when PHP is delivered through an integrated, team-based approach.
Our PHP brings together therapy, psychiatry, medication management, and care coordination within one connected team. Providers meet regularly, share insight, and adjust care together, so treatment feels cohesive rather than fragmented.
This allows people to build consistent relationships with their care team and receive support that can adapt as their needs change, creating a stronger foundation for ongoing recovery.
If you’re wondering whether AIM might be the right fit, the next step is simple—and low pressure. We start with a brief assessment that helps us understand what is going on and how we can help. It can be done however it works best for you: over the phone, in-person, or through live video.Â
Once we’ve had a chance to talk, we’ll walk you through your options and help you decide what makes the most sense. No obligation, no pressure—just clear information and thoughtful guidance.Â
Call us, fill out a New Patient Form, or email our team. We’re here to help you take the next step when you’re ready.Â
Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Psychiatric Physician Assistant
Clinical Therapist
Everything starts with our team. We focus on creating a supportive environment where people can feel understood and supported as they work toward better wellbeing.
Our team is made up of professionals with different backgrounds and areas of expertise, all working together to provide thoughtful, compassionate care.
We believe care works best when it’s collaborative and built on real relationships. From clinicians to support staff, everyone plays a role in making sure care feels welcoming, connected, and responsive to your needs.