Adolescent Inpatient Program

The Brattleboro Retreat's Adolescent Inpatient Program offers crisis stabilization, specialized treatment, and aftercare planning for young people ages 12 to 18.

We understand that adolescence can be a time of upheaval and uncertainty. If your child is also struggling with serious social, emotional, or psychiatric issues, then short-term hospital care may be a necessary step toward recovering healthier, more adaptive means of managing strong feelings, strong behaviors, and situations.

What to Expect

Treatment Philosophy & Approach

We believe that inherent in each young person is the desire to be accepted and to do well. We utilize a treatment philosophy based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is an effective treatment for individuals who have difficulties controlling their emotions and behaviors.

Our Adolescent Inpatient Program employs a multidisciplinary team approach that is short-term, strengths-based, and skills oriented. Time in the hospital varies, and our team helps provide as safe and responsive return to the community as is reasonable and supported by caring adults involved in the teenager's treatment and aftercare planning. During your adolescent's stay, the following treatment opportunities will be offered;

  • Psychiatric assessment and treatment
  • Individual and family meetings with a Social Worker and Psychiatric Provider
  • DBT Skills Groups to learn effective ways of coping with difficult emotions and problems
  • Group Psychotherapy
  • Milieu Support from nursing staff to coach and practice positive coping skills as challenges arise
  • Ongoing case management toward coordinating services with the providers in your community.
Assessment & Evaluation

The Adolescent Inpatient Program works with adolescents who experience a range of mental health concerns, including, but not limited to;

  • Depression
  • Threatened or attempted suicide
  • Self-harming behaviors
  • Chemical dependence
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Severe Anxiety Disorders such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Anger Management problems

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