Before making a decision of this magnitude, here are five important questions to ask a residential treatment program: What is the ratio of staff to students? Because the acuity of any student who attends a residential treatment program is high, you will want to look for a program that has the lowest adult-to-child ratio.
- Is the mental health treatment center using evidence-based, or science-based, treatment methods? ...
- Is the program effective? ...
- Is the program a good fit for your loved one? ...
- How will the program help the client pursue stated personal or professional goals?
What are some good questions to ask about mental health programs?
Beyond client demographics, ask mental health programs you are considering to provide before treatment and after treatment evaluations. Did their psychiatric patients improve and to what extent? Where improvements similar across all diagnoses or did clients with specific diagnoses improve more than others?
What should I expect from a psychiatric residential mental health program?
There should be an expectation for clients to engage fully in therapy and work hard to examine and change current thought patterns and behaviors. After completing a psychiatric residential mental health program, clients should have reduced symptoms and improved skills for maintaining their health.
What type of accreditation or licensure do residential treatment programs have?
Mental health residential treatment programs may qualify for a number of different types of accreditation or licensure. Skyland Trail has received The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval since 1998. Accreditation from the Joint Commission indicates excellence in ensuring patient safety and quality of care.
What should I look for when choosing a mental health center?
Also be sure that the mental health center assigns a specific therapeutic approach to each client based on diagnoses, symptoms and goals. An evidence-based therapy used to treat a diagnosis that is not indicated may not produce the intended outcomes.
What are some of the key advantages of residential treatment programs?
However, the many benefits of long-term residential treatment make it the best choice for thousands of clients each year....A Structured Disciplined Approach. ... Eliminating Distractions or Obstacles to Recovery. ... Peer Support During Recovery. ... Personalized and Attentive Care.
What is the goal of residential treatment?
Residential treatment programs provide intensive help for youth with serious emotional and behavior problems. While receiving residential treatment, children temporarily live outside of their homes and in a facility where they can be supervised and monitored by trained staff.
What do you believe might warrant placing an adolescent in a residential treatment facility?
Residential treatment often addresses the following:Trauma and abuse.Depression and/or anxiety.Eating disorder(s)Personality and mental disorders.Low self-esteem and self-confidence.Problems with peers.Substance abuse.Criminal or violent behavior(s)More items...•
How do I prepare for residential treatment?
7 Rehab Essentials to Prepare for Residential Inpatient TreatmentAn Alarm Clock. ... Comfortable Clothing and Footwear. ... Identification and Other Personal Effects. ... Alcohol-Free Toiletries. ... 5. Entertainment and Stationary. ... Medications. ... Unopened Packs of Cigarettes. ... Rehab Essentials to Pack for Inpatient Treatment.More items...
What are the four basic categories of treatment program?
4 Types of Addiction Treatment: What's the Difference?Detoxification. ... Outpatient Addiction Treatment. ... Peer Support and Self-Help Programs. ... Residential Addiction Treatment Programs. ... Choosing one of the types of addiction treatment.
Why might a child be placed in residential care?
Residential care for children/children's homes, are there to ensure that the needs of children are met when they cannot live with their own family. They are a place for children to develop and grow, as well as providing food, shelter, space for play and leisure in a caring environment.
What counts as a mental health crisis?
A mental health crisis is a non-life threatening situation in which an individual is exhibiting extreme emotional disturbance or behavioral distress, considering harm toself or others, disoriented or out of touch with reality, hasa compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitatedand unable to be calmed.
What is a behavioral crisis?
A behavioral emergency, also called a behavioral crisis or psychiatric emergency, occurs when someone's behavior is so out of control that the person becomes a danger to everyone. The situation is so extreme that the person must be treated promptly to avoid injury to themselves or others.
1. Is the Residential Treatment Program Licensed by the State?
If the answer is yes, find out what aspects of the program the license covers: educational, mental health, behavioral health, residential?
2. Does the Residential Treatment Center Provide an Academic Curriculum?
If so, is it available to all program participants? Do you have teachers who are certified or licensed by your state?
6. How experienced is your staff? Have they worked at other residential treatment programs? If yes, where and for how long?
Ask to see current certifications in CPR and other emergency medicine. For wilderness programs, also ask for proof of relevant training and expertise.
7. Does the Residential Treatment Center Conduct Background Checks on their Employees?
If the answer is yes, find out who does the background check and how extensive it is. Call the company to confirm that it provides background check services for the treatment program. If the answer is no, or the program does not conduct background checks, consider it a red flag.
15. Do they have relationships with companies and individuals that provide educational and referral services?
Some companies may provide services, claiming to match troubled kids with an appropriate treatment program. Be aware that although some of these services represent themselves as independent, they may not be. They may actually be operated or paid by one or more of the treatment programs.
Does insurance cover rehab?
Many insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the treatment cost at a licensed and CARF-accredited rehab facility; however, you will usually need to get pre-authorization from your insurance provider.
Does FHE Health offer one size fits all rehab?
While some rehab centers simply offer a one-size-fits-all program, others like FHE Health recognize the value in providing special programs geared toward specific client groups. This can include programs for first responders, women, older adults, and people dealing with gambling addictions in order to address the unique needs of each of these groups.
Is substance abuse a lifelong condition?
Substance abuse disorder is a chronic, lifelong condition, one that isn’t cured at a rehab center. That means you will need to continue with your recovery journey once you complete a treatment program.
Questions to Ask a Treatment Center before You Go
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there are varieties of treatments and treatment centers that can help you onto the path to recovery. Once you have made the decision to go to a treatment center, you then need to decide on which treatment center is right for you.
Is the Center Inpatient or Outpatient or Both?
One of the first things that you might want to know when evaluating a treatment center is whether the center offers inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, or both. Some centers will start you with inpatient treatment and then when you are ready they move you to an outpatient program. This is one of the more successful ways into recovery.
What Treatment Programs do they Have?
You’ll want to make sure the center you choose has the programs and alternative treatments you think will benefit you most.
Do they Offer Medical Detox and Medication Management?
If you are on a drug that needs a medical detox or are interested in medication for co-occurring illnesses then you will need to know that they offer it. Not all treatment centers have medical detox or medication management. Many of them only specialize in counseling.
Does the Center Offer Payment Options?
How to pay for rehab is one of the biggest questions on a patients mind. The cost of rehab is something that stops many from seeking treatment. Before checking into a rehab, you can ask if they offer a payment plan, accept insurance, or allow for government assistance.
What are the Rules of the Center?
The rules of the center are important if you expect to be able to stay in a treatment program. Knowing the rules before you check in allows you to know whether you can conform to them. If they have rules, you view as unreasonable then you should not choose that rehab center.
General Questions
Family Involvement
Direct Care Staff
- What is their training? What is the average age? What does your program look for when hiring staff? The education level of staff? Are the employees' contractors?
- If you have a child who is transgender, how are the staff trained? **
- How do they manage medical, psychiatric, and dental care? How is staff trained in terms of medication and first aid?
- What is their training? What is the average age? What does your program look for when hiring staff? The education level of staff? Are the employees' contractors?
- If you have a child who is transgender, how are the staff trained? **
- How do they manage medical, psychiatric, and dental care? How is staff trained in terms of medication and first aid?
- What is the ratio for:
Clinical Questions
- How often does the student meet with the primary therapist? (Some programs do not haveindividual therapists. Who does the student connect with or go to if there is a problem?)
- How often do we (the family) speak with the therapist or contact the program?
- What other types of therapy do they have on a weekly basis?
- Is there ever a reason why they would not have therapy?
Admission Questions
- How much money is due upfront? If I pull my teen from the program, are there refunds? (This will vary program to program and be in the contract that you sign. It is not something you think about a...
- What expenses are not covered by the monthly tuition?
- What does my teen need to bring? What is not permitted?
- How much money is due upfront? If I pull my teen from the program, are there refunds? (This will vary program to program and be in the contract that you sign. It is not something you think about a...
- What expenses are not covered by the monthly tuition?
- What does my teen need to bring? What is not permitted?
- If the treatment program claims to work with transgender clients-- What is their philosophy? Who are the therapists that do the work? **
Education Questions
- What is the structure of the school program?
- Do the students have grade-level classes or are they combined?
- Is the school accredited?
- Are teachers certified in their subject areas?
Questions For Students
- A tour may or may not include meeting with students in the program with or without staff present. If you meet with current students find out how long each student has been in the program. You may also ask if they completed a therapeutic wilderness program. This gives you some context for their answers. Be sure not to ask any of the student's confidential information -- last names, …