Children (ages 4-12)

The Acute Treatment Program for children includes psychiatric diagnosis for any of the following:

• Adjustment Disorders
• Affective Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Conduct Disorders
• Depressive Disorders
• Eating Disorders
• Oppositional Defiant Disorders
• Psychotic Disorders
• Thought Disorders
• Individuals experiencing emotional and behavioral problems interfering with daily life, relationships or physical health, or present any of the following:
• Imminent Danger to Self and Others
• Requiring Intensive Psychiatric Care in a Secure Setting
• Recurrent Episodes/Unresponsive to Non-hospital Treatment

Program Overview

This therapeutically intensive treatment program is focused on short-term psychiatric stabilization and improvement. A comprehensive set of clinical assessments is completed for each patient entering the acute treatment program. A nursing assessment is completed within 8 hours of admission and the attending psychiatrist conducts a diagnostic evaluation within 24 hours of admission. A licensed social worker completes a psychosocial history in conjunction with the patient, family, and referral source with emphasis on discharge planning and transition to the community.

The program incorporates a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach, providing reinforcement for appropriate self-management. Patients learn strategies to effectively solve problems, evaluate dysfunctional thinking patterns, and develop healthy coping strategies. The therapists are skilled at coordinating insight-oriented, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies to obtain desired results for each patient.

Treatment Program Components

A psychiatrist oversees the operation of the program and attending physicians develop, in concert with an inter-disciplinary team of skilled professionals, an individualized treatment plan for each patient which may include the following services:

• Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment
• Individual, Group and Family Psychotherapy Using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Model
• Medication Intervention, Monitoring and Education
• Chemical Dependency Assessment and Counseling
• Nursing Supervision
• Psychoeducational Groups
• Substance Abuse Education
• Therapeutic Recreational Activities
• Occupational Therapy
• Art Therapy
• Aftercare and Transition Planning