Psychiatric Services for Adolescents

Within a safe and secure environment, The Adolescent Center at Vista del Mar provides specialized inpatient treatment to adolescents ages 12 through 17. During the often difficult transition from childhood to adulthood, some adolescents experience disabling symptoms such as:

• Depression and Hopelessness
• Self-Injury or Suicidal Behavior
• Rebellion, Defiance or Aggression
• Alcohol and/or Substance Abuse

The goal of The Adolescent Center is to effectively deal with the crisis and reduce these symptoms to help adolescents develop more appropriate behavior, coping and social skills.

The center staff focuses on empowering adolescents by helping and educating them to:

• Accept responsibility for their own behavior
• Consider the consequences of their behavior
• Examine their own values
• Develop effective communication skills

Inpatient Hospitalization

The Adolescent Center is an acute, inpatient psychiatric unit. The focus of care is for short, intensive hospital stays designed to diagnose and treat emotional, behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Adolescents admitted to the center are treated and cared for by licensed professionals whose combined specialties focus on dealing with depression, substance abuse, aggression, rebellion, self-injury and suicidal behaviors. An integrated treatment team of psychiatrists, registered nurses, social workers, psychologists, chemical dependency counselors, dieticians and teachers work collectively to develop individualized care plans.

The center admits both voluntary as well as involuntary patients. Treatment plans include ongoing, weekly family therapy sessions, daily group therapy sessions, recreational therapy, and medication and behavioral management education. The daily schedule is targeted at achieving goals and resolving issues. Along with therapy and patient education, the program maintains a focus on school, allowing adolescents to continue their academic studies during hospitalization. Upon discharge, Vista del Mar professionals arrange for comprehensive aftercare in the community.

Family Component

The Adolescent Center is committed to providing a therapeutic program supportive to both the adolescent and their family. Our services include assistance with aftercare discharge planning and arranging for outpatient follow-up care as ordered by the physician. Family involvement is encouraged, and the program offers therapy and support to parents, siblings and other family members. Our weekly Multi-Family group sessions provide an essential forum for improved and effective communication. Led by licensed therapists, parents and adolescents discuss family dynamics and learn appropriate conflict resolution strategies and healthy communication skills.