Pasadena is a city in Southern California with a population of just over 136,000 people. It’s one of the best places to live with an urban, suburban feel that most residents enjoy. There are always plenty of things to keep you busy, from great outdoor dining and shopping to museums and impressive educational institutions, like the Art Center College of Design1. Pasadena is also home to a number of excellent residential treatment centers for youths in California who are struggling with their mental health.
HillsidesCares welcomes children from all walks of life who are struggling with depression, anxiety, or a recent traumatic event, like the sudden death of a parent or loved one. Our youth residential treatment program in Pasadena works with children as young as six years old to help them learn valuable coping skills to address their behaviors and emotions. They will live at our discreet center where they will work with a professional therapist and their peers. They will participate in group and private therapy sessions where they’ll learn valuable coping skills and life lessons.
Why do kids go to a residential facility?
Residential care programs are a structured program where children will live for a pre-determined amount of time to work on improving their mental health. They include beneficial programs such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), anger management, trauma-informed care, and family therapy.
It is more restrictive than an outpatient program, where your child will live at the center while working on their mental health. It is a full-time, 24/7 program that can last from 30 to 60 days and sometimes longer, depending on the severity of the illness.
Why do kids go to a residential facility? Children often don’t have the necessary skills to deal with intense emotions and feelings. When they experience depression or anxiety symptoms that overwhelm them, they can act out in negative ways that can lead to harming themselves or others.
There are many reasons that require 24/7 supervision and support. These conditions include:
- Anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and selective mutism.
- Depressive disorders: major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (PDD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Eating disorders: Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Other common reasons your child will need a residential care program include anger management issues, dissociative disorders, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis, and other treatable illnesses.
When should someone go to residential treatment?
How can you tell when a child needs to go into a residential treatment program? There are certain signs that point to a serious problem and potential for harm. These include:
- They have severe mental health issues that last for a long period of time
- They experience suicidal thoughts or self-harming activities, such as cutting or burning themselves.
- They are using drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism.
- They struggle to keep up with school, and their grades are declining.
- They live in a home that is not safe for them.
- They tried outpatient therapy and have little to no improvement.
To determine if your child needs residential treatment, they will need a diagnosis from an experienced therapist.
Finding residential treatment centers for youths in California
When searching for residential treatment centers for youths in California, you’ll need to do some research to better understand the services and programs they offer. Not all centers are the same, and they can specialize in different areas and for different age groups. You want to find a treatment center that specializes in treating children to give them the best chance of recovery.
Some of the things to look for when finding residential treatment centers for youths in California include:
- Licensing and accreditation: Be sure they are licensed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and that they meet all state regulations.
- Clinical and therapeutic services: Be sure they use evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed care programs.
- Educational support: A full-service center will have on-site educational programs to continue your child’s education and development.
- Staff qualifications: Be sure they use licensed clinical staff and have a low staff-to-youth ratio for more individualized attention.
- Family involvement: Ask about family therapy sessions and how you can participate in your child’s recovery.
A professional center will gladly answer all questions about their service and experience with treating children.
How do I get my child into residential treatment?
How do you get your child into residential treatment? You will first need an evaluation of your child’s current mental health to determine if they qualify for residential treatment. This is done by a licensed therapist or psychiatrist, or your child’s primary care doctor. Next, research the program and ask questions about the type of care they provide.
Check with your insurance company to see if they cover the program and how much you will need to pay. When you find a center, submit any paperwork, medical records, psychological evaluations, and complete all application forms. Finally, talk to your child calmly and clearly about where they are going and what to expect from the experience.
How long do kids stay in residential treatment?
In general, residential programs will last for up to 30 days, but longer stays are available for more severe cases. Your child’s progress and willingness to get better will play a big part. The average lengths of stay in a residential program are 60 and 90 days. In more serious cases, children can stay in the program for a year or longer.
Enroll in youth residential treatment in Pasadena at HillsidesCares today
HillsidesCares is a fully accredited and licensed addiction and mental health treatment center that works with children aged 6–17 years old who are struggling to manage their mental health. Our team will run a full health evaluation of your child to determine the severity of the condition and which therapeutic methods will best support them. We will develop a comprehensive program that includes behavioral and holistic therapies along with medication-assisted treatment to ease any addiction withdrawal, cravings, and other disruptive symptoms.
If you are searching for a residential treatment center for your child, HillsidesCares is here to help. Contact us using our online contact form or call 323.641.4842 today to get your child the help they need to thrive.
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