Child and teen mental health

Our inpatient program offers stabilization for teens and adolescents 13 to 17 years old who are in need of acute treatment. Objectives of this program include a preliminary diagnosis and the initiation of treatment. We also provide a wealth of outpatient community resources.

Although our overall process and objectives are consistent, everyone is unique. Your child will progress toward treatment goals at their own pace. To be sure your child continues to recover, progress is evaluated daily. The average length of a hospital stay is five to seven days.

Intake assessments

Upon admission, members of the treatment team gather information about your child. Both you and your child will complete the assessments related to:

• Activity/recreation
• General physical health
• Nursing needs
• Strengths
• Psychiatric care needs
• Psycho-social abilities

Program features

We also measure ongoing progress using a variety of therapies and activities, including:

• Community/reflection meetings
• Group discussion on mental wellness topics
• Journal assignments
• Leisure and quiet times
• Medication changes
• Patient goal-setting sessions and progress reviews
• Integrative therapy, including exercise, pet and yoga therapy
• Sleep assessment

Aftercare planning begins on admission, and outpatient plans will be arranged prior to discharge.

We’re also committed to providing short-term mental health services. Our outpatient partial hospitalization program (PHP) is designed for the treatment of adolescents.

An adolescent PHP is available as a step down from our inpatient care program. Patients who need additional structure and more intensive outpatient support will benefit the most from this program.

PHP provides flexible treatment options for teens. They may need intensive outpatient support, evaluation by a psychiatrist or a gradual transition from an inpatient setting. Our program allows your teen to receive treatment during the day with the convenience of being home with loved ones in the evening.

Who can benefit from the PHP

This program is designed to help a patient who:

• is 13 to 17 years old
• May be experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties
• May have recently had an inpatient psychiatric admission and needs to step down to a structured support program
• May have symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or other obstacles when functioning in everyday situations
• Needs support to achieve stabilization
• Needs to develop coping and stress management skills

To learn more about our adolescent PHP, including our services for teen depression, please call (804) 521-8975.

What to expect in the PHP

Our PHP includes an evaluation by a psychiatrist. This can be helpful if your child is transitioning from an inpatient setting. Treatment in the PHP includes:

• Evidence-based recovery model based on cognitive behavioral therapy and didactic behavioral therapy
• Individual and family interventions
• Intensive group therapy addressing the developmental and social challenges of adolescents
• Psychiatric and medication evaluation
• Social and recreational practice opportunities focused on building resiliency

The Tucker Assessment Center (TAC) is designed for voluntary and non-emergent patients in need of a behavioral health evaluation for individuals ages 11 and up. Same day appointments are available.

Patients can now avoid unnecessary trips to the ER to receive a behavioral health evaluation.

Assessments for inpatient, outpatient and/or community providers as appropriate will be provided.

Emergent needs will continue to be addressed in our Emergency Department and include involuntary admission, law enforcement transport, and medical instability.

When: Hours of operation
9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Monday through Friday
Call to schedule an appointment: (804) 483-1331