Children's Inpatient Program

If your daughter or son, or a child you know, is struggling with serious social, emotional or psychiatric issues, then short-term hospital care may be a necessary step toward a healthier, more rewarding life. Our Children’s Inpatient Program offers stabilization and specialized treatment services for children ages 4 to 12.

Why Refer a Child for Inpatient Care?

Many children we see have experienced significant life traumas. These experiences can lead to low self-esteem, poor peer relationships, and difficulty taking direction or making life transitions.

With or without these hurdles, a child can be in crisis due to any number of mental health or behavioral problems caused by, or related to:

  • Depression
  • Threatened or attempted suicide
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Severe Anxiety Disorders such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating Disorders
  • Anger Management Problems
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Substance abuse.


Treatment Philosophy & Approach

At the Brattleboro Retreat we believe that inherent in each child is the desire to be accepted by others and to do well. We utilize a strength-based, trauma-informed and resiliency model of care, with a focus on deliberate and sensitive support for children and their families as they learn new ways of understanding and managing their lives.

Our Children’s Inpatient Program employs a multidisciplinary team approach that is short term, strength-based, and skills oriented. A typical stay lasts from 4 to 14 days. We recognize that successful treatment and return to the community depends on effective collaboration with families and community providers. That’s why both during and after treatment:

  • We engage in ongoing communication with families.
  • We work to coordinate services with community providers.


Meeting Children’s Needs in the 21st Century

We recently remodeled our children’s inpatient psychiatric unit to ensure that as Vermont’s only psychiatric hospital for children we’re providing the latest advances in clinical care. Our new unit offers the following features:

  • Sensory room with sensory modulation tools for assessment and regulation
  • Multi-use activity rooms
  • Family visiting space to ensure safe, private family visits
  • New dining and day rooms
  • A central nursing station to ensure a safer environment with immediate access to care for all.

For more information on Children's Inpatient care, and the Brattleboro Retreat’s other programs & services for mental health and addiction issues, call 802-258-3700 or go to our  Central Intake Department.