A child who has experienced trauma, academic failure, substance use, and mental illness suffers on multiple levels. He sees himself falling behind his classmates or being teased, and ridiculed. He sees his family growing more frustrated with him. He may be referred to special classes, therapy, and in in-home interventions. If these strategies fail, the professionals may say the intervention or therapy didn’t work. The child sees it differently. He sees his ongoing struggle as a personal failure because he is “bad”, ” broken”, or “defective”.
When community-based treatment fails to meet the child’s needs, an alternative strategy is needed. A psychiatric residential treatment facility is designed to provide a structured, safe, supportive teaching, and therapeutic environment that is trauma-informed and culturally appropriate. Those who may benefit from a psychiatric residential treatment facility include:
- Children diagnosed with a mental health or substance use diagnosis
- Children who have exhibited aggressive or violent behavior toward family, classmates, and school personnel
- Children who have suffered trauma from abuse, neglect, or traumatic events
- Children who have not adjusted to community placement
- Children with frequent hospitalizations
- Children who have exhibited dangerous, self-harming inclination
In a psychiatric residential treatment program, children are provided numerous evidence-based approaches to address pain, trauma, stress responses, and family dynamics. Our goal is for the child to return to the home/community/school environment where he can be successful and thrive. Treatment strategies include:
- Strength-Based Intervention
- Family Therapy
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Stress Management and Relaxation Symptom Management
- Music Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Trauma-Informed Psychoeducation
- Positive Behavior Intervention and Support
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention
We work with a variety of agencies including hospitals, community mental health centers, and social services. If you know of a child who might benefit from a psychiatric residential treatment program or if you just require more information, please contact us at Pathway Family Services.