If you are the parent of a teen or young adult who is struggling with their mental health, it helps to know that you have options – including residential treatment. A residential young adult or teen treatment program provides comprehensive, round-the-clock care in a home-like setting where your child can focus all of their effort on recovery. And for many individuals in this age group, residential treatment can be instrumental in addressing mental health concerns and moving on to a healthy, happy future. 

So, how do you choose a program? It all starts with asking the right questions. Keep reading to learn how to narrow your search when looking for a young adult or teen treatment program, particularly when figuring out whether a program is high-quality and appropriate for your child’s needs. 

Basic Things to Look for in Residential Treatment Centers for Youth

Before you start asking questions, you’ll want to make sure that any residential treatment center you’re considering checks off a few important boxes:

• Joint Commission Accreditation – Accreditation is a must, and it tells you that the program meets the care, treatment, and service standards of The Joint Commission, a non-profit organization that evaluates and assesses behavioral health care facilities. 
• State Licensing – All states have their own licensure regulations for health care facilities, and it’s important that any residential teen treatment program you send your child to has received licensure and is compliant with state licensing requirements. 
• Academics – One thing that sets residential treatment centers for youth apart from more general mental health treatment centers is that they often include academic support. If your teen is going to be out of school, this should be a major consideration. 

Questions to Ask When Shortlisting Residential Treatment Centers for Young Adults and Teens

Once you know that a young adult or teen treatment program is accredited, licensed, and offers any academic support your child might require, you can move on to more targeted questions. We recommend speaking with admissions staff directly instead of trying to get answers to these questions online since a program’s website may not be clear or specific on the details. 

General Facility Overview

• What is the average length of stay?
• What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
• What are the qualifications of staff members? Are there board-certified providers on site?
• What is the program’s approach to treatment, and why is this approach ideal for my child’s needs?
• What does a typical day look like for residents?
• How much does the program cost, and is my insurance accepted?

Services and Therapies

• What types of therapy do you offer?
• Do residents receive individual counseling and/or group counseling? How often?
• Are there any holistic therapies offered, such as art or music therapy?
• How are residents assessed, and how do you create a treatment plan for them?
• Are treatment plans customized to each individual resident? Are they modified during the treatment process?
• How do you measure and communicate progress during a resident’s stay?

Lifestyle and Amenities

• Are rooms private or shared?
• Do residents get free time? If so, what are their options for spending that time?
• Do you offer non-therapeutic activities?
• What is your policy around the use of electronics?
• If academic support is offered, what does schooling look like, and what are the credentials of the instructors?

Resident Safety

• How do you ensure my child stays safe while in your care?
• How are medications managed and distributed?
• What is the protocol in the event of a medical emergency?

Family Involvement

• Are there any resources or associated programs for family members?
• Is family therapy offered?
• How is treatment progress or concerns communicated to parents?
• What is the visitation policy? Can residents be taken off-site during a visit?
• Will I be able to communicate privately with my child during their stay?

Follow-Up Care

• What is your approach to aftercare planning?
• Do you help coordinate post-residential care?
• What do you do to help ease the transition from residential treatment back to real life?

In addition to providing answers to these and any other relevant questions, qualified residential treatment centers for young adults and teens will be happy to have you come by for a tour. Many will also connect you with alumni families upon request if you’d like to hear about their experience. If you’re ready to take next steps, we invite you to reach out to our team at Paradigm Treatment to speak about how a residential teen or young adult mental health treatment program can benefit your child.