Types of Therapy- Inpatient

Daily Goals Group
Children and adolescents begin their treatment day by identifying and discussing their individual, group and daily treatment goals. Nursing staff facilitate this group, directing individuals toward issue-specific goal development and attainment. At the conclusion of the day, the children and adolescents meet again to assess that day's goal achievement. Goals are designed to help the children and adolescents establish treatment objectives, discuss their progress and receive feedback as related to their goals. Community meetings are used to talk about issues, patient conflicts, unit rules, and personal behavior on the unit and in the program activities. Patients receive feedback from both peers and staff.

Anger Management Education
Children and adolescents will be taught and begin to practice healthy and appropriate responses to anger.

Self-Esteem Group
A verbally oriented group to nurture expression of feelings, build interpersonal skills and self-esteem. This group helps children and adolescents identify personal strengths and learn coping skills.

Group Therapy
Children and adolescents attend daily group therapy facilitated by a masters level social worker and nursing staff. This group focuses on problem resolution and healthy decision making. Group time is devoted to identifying destructive behaviors and self-defeating thought patterns and developing successful coping strategies.

Experiential Therapy
Individual strengths and perceived weaknesses are addressed through activities designed to meet treatment goals. Experiential treatment includes group initiatives, problem solving, Ropes and Challenge Course programs, exercise, leisure education and daily living activities. Treatment goals include: increase self-esteem, trust, communication, leisure activity development and boundary identification. All experiential therapy groups are led by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist who has experience in child and adolescent mental health care. Click here for an article about Experiential Therapy.

Expressive Therapy
Children and adolescents attend expressive therapies up to three times each week. Through creative expression, each patient examines their personal development and his or her family history. Sculpting, painting, drawing, music and drama are a few of the mediums through which children and adolescents can express themselves.

Relaxation Therapy
Children and adolescents may conclude the day by participating in relaxation training. Facilitated by a member of the nursing staff, patients participate in guided relaxation exercises, listen to soft music and learn techniques to use independently.

Education Services
Children and adolescents attend school for one hour each week day. Our on-grounds school is staffed by certified teachers experienced in dealing with students with chemical dependency issues, behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and learning disabilities. The education therapist works directly with students to assess their educational and learning needs and encourage the development of skills which students can utilize in their school setting. Reintegration recommendations are made to the student, parents, treatment team and school.

Education Group
This group, led by a registered nurse or psychiatric technician, educates children and adolescents about topics such as the role of medication and treatment, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and other age-appropriate health and safety-related issues.

Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Education
Children and adolescents may attend an educational assignment group, if determined appropriate, to increase their awareness of the detriments of drug and alcohol abuse and dependency. Role playing exercises and media viewing are a few of the educational tools used.

Family Sessions
These 45-60 minute session(s) are individually set up through the child's social worker and may address such issues as coping skills, parenting skills, family contracts, and discharge and outpatient plans.

Back to Top