Children and adolescents are at a unique stage in their development, which can significantly impact the way certain behavioral health concerns affect them. We designed the child and adolescent inpatient programs at Belmont Behavioral Health System for children ages 5-17 who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate stabilization of their symptoms.
Child & Adolescent Programs Overview
At Belmont Behavioral Health System, we understand that children and adolescents need specialized, age-appropriate care to address the mental health concerns that are keeping them from living full, productive lives.
We offer multiple child and adolescent inpatient programs. With the opening of our new inpatient hospital, we will be adding the Specialized Treatment for Autism and Related (STAR) Disorders Program and New Oaks Academy later in 2021.
Here is an overview of our child and adolescent programs:
- Magnolia Program – General behavioral health support for adolescents ages 13-17
- Lotus Program – Trauma-focused program serving adolescents ages 13-17
- Reflections Program – Mood disorders program serving adolescents ages 13-17
- STAR Program – Will serve children ages 5-12 who have autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders
- New Oaks Academy – On-site private school that will serve students grades 5-12
- Willow Program – General behavioral health support for children, separated into separate programs by age range
- Sprouts Program – Children ages 9-12
- Little Sprouts Program – Children ages 5-8
Care Experience
Our caring and compassionate staff will customize your child’s care plan to their unique strengths, challenges, needs, and goals. We determine program placement based on a clinical assessment that includes age, presenting symptoms, developmental functioning level, and treatment goals.
The average inpatient stay in our child and adolescent inpatient programs is seven to 10 days. Your child’s care team will include the following: a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, registered nurses, behavioral health associates (BHAs), case managers/social workers, clinical and education services (therapists and teachers), and a pediatrician.
Your child’s care may include daily group therapy, individual therapy scheduled as needed, family therapy scheduled as needed, medication management services, and basic medical care.
Magnolia Program
The Magnolia Program provides acute inpatient care for adolescents ages 13-17 of all genders who are experiencing severe symptoms of a mental health disorder, including psychosis.
Common concerns we provide care for in this program include:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Intellectual developmental disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Substance use disorders
Lotus Program
The Lotus Program provides acute inpatient care for adolescents ages 13-17 of all genders who are struggling with the impact of unresolved trauma. Our expert staff will work with your child to help them identify grounding techniques, soothing strategies, and coping skills that support their recovery process.
Common concerns we provide care for in this program include:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
- Depressive and mood disorders
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety disorders
Reflections Program
The Reflections Program provides acute inpatient care for adolescents ages 13-17 of all genders who are suffering from severe mood disorder symptoms. Our highly experienced team will work with your child to help them gain the distress tolerance, mindfulness, and coping skills needed to manage their symptoms long-term.
Common concerns we provide care for in this program include:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Narcissistic personality disorder
STAR Program
Coming Soon in February 2022, the Specialized Treatment for Autism and Related (STAR) Disorders Program will provide inpatient care for children ages 5-12 who have autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as intellectual developmental disorder.
This innovative program will combine the principles of applied behavior analysis with other evidence-based therapies and solutions to help children gain the skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and within their communities.
Willow Program - Sprouts & Little Sprouts
We divided our child inpatient programs by age group so that your child receives the developmentally appropriate care they deserve.
The Sprouts Program supports children ages 9-12 by using middle-school-based programming, while the Little Sprouts Program supports children ages 5-8 by using early-elementary-based programming.
Common concerns we provide care for in this program include:
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Intermittent explosive disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depressive and mood disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Intellectual developmental disorder
New Oaks Academy
Launching in late 2021, New Oaks Academy is an on-site private school that will provide the highest-quality academic programming for children and adolescents who receive inpatient care at Belmont Behavioral Health System.
The school will be licensed for grades 5-12 and will feature a comprehensive curriculum covering the five core subjects. Classes will be taught by teachers who are certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the daily schedule will include a therapeutic component aimed at augmenting the care provided through our inpatient programs.