Psychiatry and Psychological Services: Day Treatment Services

The day treatment program cares for children with behavioral problems, school anxiety or refusal, aggression and other difficulties in social functioning, noncompliance with the medical regimen, and includes children with depression, autism spectrum, and medical psychiatric disorders. These children might be referred from schools, their pediatrician, or outpatient services.

Presenting problems may include difficulty functioning in home, school, or community environments. This intermediate level of care provided to patients, has the goal of preventing hospitalization. Children are taught developmentally appropriate coping and social skills. The program operates five days a week, eight hours a day. While in the program, patients attend school. Staff will communicate and plan with the child's home classroom at entry and discharge from the program, allowing for continued development of skills and feedback to the school regarding effective management of the child's academic needs.   

Additional therapies used include social and coping skills groups, music therapy, art therapy, recreation therapy, and psychiatric medication management. Treatment is provided in a supportive and highly structured environment. Psychological testing is available.

A second day treatment program is available within the inpatient unit specifically for the treatment of children with eating disorders. This program allows for continuity of care for children that were treated in the inpatient program who are transitioning to outpatient care.