Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF)

The Program

The Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) is a highly structured, therapeutic environment for children and adolescents (21 years and younger) who are in need of intensive services to effectively treat severe emotional, behavioral, and/or developmental disturbances.  Most individuals are referred following the receipt of outpatient treatment or stabilization in an acute care setting.

 The Treatment

The PRTF functions under a medical model, takes a cognitive behavioral team approach to, treatment, and works to reunite children with their families.

After comprehensive assessment of developmental, therapeutic, and educational needs, an individualized treatment plan is developed by psychiatry, psychology, medical/nursing, education, recreation, and other related disciplines.

Areas of emphasis include:

• Enhancing self-esteem
• Stabilizing mood
• Developing coping strategies
• Minimizing negative behaviors
• Improving relationships with family, peers, and teachers

The treatment experience includes individual, family, and group therapy, as well as art, music, occupational, milieu, and special activities therapies.  A therapeutic school program and vocational training services are also provided.

Demonstrated changes include:

• Attaining academic grade levels in core subjects
• Accepting responsibility
• Developing employment skills
• Functioning in group and community settings
• Working toward independent living arrangements

Intensive treatment is available for those in need of behavior programming, pharmacological intervention, higher degrees of supervision, and special training in adaptive skills such as communication, daily living, and socialization.

The Staff

Treatment is supervised by psychiatrists specializing in child and adolescent care, and is provided by a wide range of highly trained professionals.

Specialized consultation services with outside professional are also provided to meet medical, neurological, psychological, dental, pharmacological, and other treatment needs.