Life is hard enough for a teenager. From the pressures of school to the news of the day to the ongoing pandemic, life doesn’t slow down when we need it to. When it comes to residential adolescent mental health care, there are a lot of things to consider. What is the right program for your child? What are their specific needs? How will you know if the program is working? In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the factors that go into making the decision about residential care for adolescents.
Different Levels of Care For Different Patients
There are different levels of care available for adolescents with mental health needs. Residential treatment is a level of care that provides 24/7 stabilization and support provided in a home-based setting. This type of treatment is best for adolescents who are experiencing chronic suicidality, self-harm, or other dangerous behaviors. It is also an option for those who have not responded well to other levels of care, such as outpatient therapy or medication.
Residential treatment is not right for every adolescent. Some patients do well in less intensive levels of care, such as partial hospitalization programs (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP). These types of programs allow the patient to live at home and go to school or work while still receiving treatment.
The decision about which level of care is right for your adolescent should be made with the help of a mental health professional. They will consider the severity of the symptoms, the risk of harm to self or others, and other factors.
What to Expect in Residential Treatment
If you and your mental health professional decide that residential treatment is the best level of care for your adolescent, there are a few things you should know. First, residential treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The program will be tailored to meet the specific needs of your child.
Second, residential treatment is not a quick fix. It will take time for your child to work through their issues and learn new skills. The length of stay will be based on your child’s needs, but it is typically 30-90 days.
Third, residential treatment is not just about medication. While medication may be part of the treatment plan, it is not the only thing that will be done. Residential treatment programs typically include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
What Are Lightfully Residential Treatment Centers Like?
At Lightfully, we believe that every adolescent deserves personalized care. That’s why our residential treatment centers are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual. We offer primary mental health treatment for all genders ages 12 to 17 dealing with the increased prevalence of mood disorder, anxiety disorder, or trauma-related disorder.
Our approach is tailored to each individual, and we’ll guide you and your child every step of the way. We offer a variety of services, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, and more. Our goal is to help your child reach their full potential.
Here at Lightfully, we believe that adolescent programs should be more than just spending time in treatment centers. Our clients have access to daily outings and extended weekend activities off-site to help them stay engaged and stimulated. We believe that real healing takes place when adolescents are active and engaging with others. This is why we organize outings for our clients, so they can try out the skills they’re learning in treatment and have a good time doing it. We offer surf therapy, weekly errand trips, and other activities to help our clients stay connected to the world outside of treatment.
Can Teens in Residential Treatment Centers Still Go To School?
Difficulty concentrating, inability to focus, and decreased motivation toward attendance and assignments are just a few of the ways mental health struggles can negatively impact a young person’s education. Adolescents facing mental health issues should not be forced to drop out of school to get the treatment they require. With certified teachers at multiple levels of care, the Lightfully model allows adolescents to attend treatment without missing their educational milestones. Adolescents gain the skills to successfully confront educational roadblocks related to mental health and build self-efficacy and confidence toward their future.
Making the Decision
Making the decision to place your adolescent in residential treatment is not easy. It is a big decision that should not be made lightly. If you are considering residential treatment for your adolescent, talk to your mental health professional. They can help you understand the different levels of care and make the best decision for your child.
If you or someone you love is struggling and needs help, find out if Lightfully is a good fit for you.