Psychiatric Services for Adolescents

The inpatient Treatment Program for adolescents provides the highest quality of care possible to younger patients and their families. This is accomplished by creating a structured environment that encourages early recovery and, in time, the patients return to a normal home life. This environment includes attention to the skills of daily living, educational and vocational development, opportunities to develop interpersonal skills with a group, the restoration of family relationships, and any special areas where the diagnosis and treatment process indicate that help is needed. Our treatment is based on our belief that teenagers differ a lot in the ways they mature and in the ways they handle the stress of these years. Therefore, we individualize our treatment approach to each situation. We use what is a called a "multi-disciplinary team" approach to treatment, which means that a variety of specialist will be available to work with the youth and family on all aspects of life.

Benefits of Program

• Rapid Stabilization emphasis and transition to lower levels of care, including 7 day a week programming.
• Fully accredited school on grounds for youth in collaboration with Charter Oak Unified School District.
• Weekend Family program includes parenting skills, family meals, family recreational therapy and family group
• Separate units for boys and girls
• Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team approach
• Aftercare group is offered free for one year within a multi-family group setting

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are daily from 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Special arrangements can be made to accomodate families who live a great distance or who cannot visit at the normal hours due to special circumstances. Please call your charge nurse to arrange.

What you can expect from the treatment program:

Psychotherapy

• Patients receive four therapy groups per day, including psychoeducation, chemical dependency, process, and recreational activity groups
• Groups are facilitated by professional therapist, psychologist and chemical dependency counselors.
• Families are entitled to at least one, 45 minute family therapy session to address issues of immediate concern and plans for follow-up treatment
• Family Therapy groups are also available three times a week.

Psychiatrist

• Will meet with the patient every day to assess progress
• Will coordinate treatment with nursing and case managers
• Will contact family once during patient stay. Further communication will go through the case managers.
• Will be available to answer specific questions or concerns that cannot be addressed by the case manager.

Case Manager

• To assist family/patient with discharge plans and follow-up care
• To facilitate communication between psychiatrist and family
• To arrange family sessions with a hospital therapist
• To Provide referrals for counseling, support groups, twelve-step resources and residential treatment when necessary.

Sample Schedule

After Care

All adolescent patients and their families are invited to attend a Multi-Family Aftercare group free for one year following discharge from the hospital. Group meetings are held Saturdays from 10:00 - 10:50 AM in the Partial Hospitalization Room, lacated in the front of the building.