A residential treatment program supports the healthy development of children through 24/7 support and behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, and medical support. Your child will learn healthy coping skills and several important life skills to manage symptoms and triggers and lead a healthy lifestyle.
HillsidesCares is a full-service mental health treatment center that works with children and adolescents who are struggling with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other serious mental health concerns. Our HillsidesCares residential treatment center works with children as young as six years old. We will evaluate your child’s mental health and develop a whole-person treatment program based on the disorder and the severity of their symptoms.
Why Do Children Go into Residential Care?
Children go into residential care for several reasons. It provides a safe space for their continued development when their condition becomes too disruptive at home and at school. Some of the common mental health conditions that a residential program can treat include:
- Mood disorders – major depressive disorder and bipolar I and II disorders
- Anxiety disorders – post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and agoraphobia
- Behavioral disorders – attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia, and eating disorders
- Trauma-related disorders – acute stress disorder, reactive attachment disorder, sleep disorders, and adjustment disorders
- Eating disorders – Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
- Neurodevelopment disorders – Cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and developmental movement disorders
- Psychotic disorders – Schizophrenia, delusional disorder, drug-induced psychosis, and schizoaffective disorder
A child will need residential treatment when their symptoms begin to affect their academic and personal lives. Some examples of the reasons your child may need residential care include aggressive or violent behavior, frequently running away from home, self-harming or suicidal behaviors, an inability to control their emotions, and trauma-related symptoms.
While living at a residential center, children will participate in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and medication to ease any physical symptoms. This combination provides a whole-person experience, and children will learn healthy ways of managing their symptoms and triggers.
What Are Some of the Reasons Children Need Residential Care?
In the state of California, there are specific reasons for children to enroll in residential care. They may be in outpatient care but still having problems, being neglected at home, or struggling with severe mental health symptoms. Group homes provide a safe space for children to participate in therapy sessions, discuss their feelings with others, and learn healthy ways of expressing themselves.
Why are children in residential homes? Here are some of the common reasons kids go to group homes:
Safety and Protection
When a child experiences emotional and physical neglect and abuse, it will affect their development, education, and personal growth. A residential treatment program provides a safe space where children can stay for a set number of days and be safeguarded from harm. Treatment programs will include private and group therapy sessions that discuss any problems they have at home or school and how to cope with the situation.
Emotional and Behavioral Support
If your child is struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, a residential program may be the best place for them. Therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the behaviors the condition creates and teaches them new behaviors to replace the negative ones. Other types of behavioral therapy that can help include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Family therapy
- Trauma therapy
A residential treatment program uses holistic therapy in addition to behavioral therapy, such as animal-assisted therapy, mindfulness practices, yoga and meditation, and other beneficial therapies.
Family Crisis or Breakdown
Mental health issues can affect everyone at any time. Parents who struggle with substance abuse, depression, or other issues who cannot manage their symptoms can enroll in residential program along with their children.
Trauma Recovery
Children who experience a traumatic event may need to enroll in a residential program to learn how to cope with the feelings and emotions the trauma creates. If it is never dealt with, it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Types of trauma that affect children include:
- Parental neglect or abuse
- The sudden death of a loved one
- Natural disasters
- A serious accident
- Bullying
Participating in a residential treatment program is essential for children who are impacted by neglect, abandonment, and other treatable mental health issues. It can give them a safe space to live while learning healthy ways to manage their symptoms and develop more effective coping strategies.
Schedule a Tour of HillsidesCares’ Residential Treatment Center Today to Begin Healing
At HillsidesCares, our residential treatment program is for children who are struggling in school and at home due to depression, social anxiety, or other treatable mental health conditions. We will create a comprehensive residential program that includes individual, group, and family counseling where they will learn how to manage symptoms and triggers. Our team will work with children using communication-focused, integrative care that treats their individual symptoms and teaches them several essential life skills.
For more information on why children go to group homes or how we can help your child, fill out our online form or call 323.641.4842 today to schedule a consultation and tour of our treatment center.