To learn more about the New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program, visit its webpage.

Treatment for Adolescents

The Adolescent Program is comprehensive treatment for youths ages 13 – 17, who are struggling with psychiatric disorders or co-occurring substance abuse issues. The Adolescent Program is separate from adult care, allowing our expert clinicians to focus on unique requirements as a member of this age group.

What We Treat

Program Overview

The cornerstone of our treatment in the Center’s Transitional Living and Intensive Outpatient programs is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT is a highly-structured form of behavioral therapy that provides the patient with the skills necessary to regulate emotions, control destructive behaviors and improve interpersonal relations. DBT helps the patient accept distress in life by providing tools to make positive behavioral changes and feel at peace with their reality.

The adolescent’s treatment plan includes:

  • Diagnostic assessment supplemented by 24/7 observation of symptoms, behaviors, and social interactions
  • Classroom observations and recommendations for school support
  • Support in navigating Department of Education for school accommodations and out-placement
  • Educational services and tutors based on patients’ academic needs
  • Transition home and aftercare planning
  • Family involvement: Weekly family meeting, weekly DBT family program, K-House parent program (once every 5 weeks), on-campus visits, therapeutic day passes
  • Comprehensive DBT: individual therapy, group therapy, skills coaching, weekly DBT consultation team meeting
  • Milieu-based intervention
  • Residential Counselors who are DBT trained and can provide 1:1 DBT skills coaching as needed in real time
  • Expressive therapies including art therapy, yoga, writing group and art workshops

Our core values at the Center for Adolescents are:

  • Accountability and Transparency
  • Best Possible Outcome
  • Collaboration
  • Compassion
  • Family-Centered Care
  • Integrity and Professionalism
  • Safe and Positive Therapeutic Environment
  • Scholarly Clinical Excellence

Levels of Care

We offer three levels of adolescent care that correspond with the patient’s level of need:

Inpatient – for crisis management
The adolescent patient may be first admitted to Silver Hill into our inpatient care, for crisis management and stabilization. Our staff of board-certified adolescent psychiatrists, social workers and nurses are here to help them and their family through this difficult time. After an initial diagnostic assessment, a treatment plan is tailored specifically to the patient.

Main HouseAdolescent inpatient treatment takes place on the third floor of the Patricia Regnemer Main House. There are five double rooms, each with their own private bath. All units are locked for the patient’s safety and no personal computers or cellphones are permitted. A large open common area is used for groups as well as free time.

The patient will have daily meetings with a board-certified adolescent psychiatrist and frequent meetings with a social worker. Group therapy will address issues such as conflict management, self-esteem and managing emotions. There is also time allotted for a patient to keep up with their school work. Family members twelve years of age and older may visit during scheduled visiting hours. The average length of stay is 7-10 days.

Transitional Living – for continued therapeutic recovery

Our Adolescent Traditional Living Program helps patients develop the skills necessary to control emotions, impulsivity, self-damaging behaviors and interpersonal disorganization. It is the appropriate level of care if a patient does not need close inpatient supervision but are not yet ready to manage successfully in an outpatient setting.

Klingenstein HouseIn this program, the adolescent patient will reside on the Silver Hill campus in K-House, which is staffed 24/7 with highly trained DBT personnel. This residence features two large common rooms and an outdoor area. It contains both double and single rooms, each with its own bath.

The minimum length of stay for this phase of treatment is 4 weeks, and the patient and their family may choose to extend their treatment as necessary.

The patient’s daily schedule will vary by day and week, but typically includes:

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Group Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training
  • Recreational Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Visiting Hours

Intensive Outpatient – for continued treatment from home

Our Adolescent Intensive Outpatient program provides continued treatment for the patient on campus, while living at home. We provide patients with psychological treatment and skill building to function effectively at home and in school.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Many of our patients have more than one diagnosis. An adolescent patient may have a combination of depression and substance use, for example. These “co-occurring disorders” require diagnosis by highly qualified clinicians, along with skilled care to treat both conditions simultaneously.

For Families

Family support of your child in treatment is an important part of successful recovery. Support for families themselves is equally important, because mental illness is a family affair. We encourage close collaboration among patient, family and community providers wherever possible. And we host numerous on-campus family programs for education and support.

Dr. Frank Bartolomeo describes the role of the family.

Treatment Team

Fees for Treatment

Visit the Fees & Insurance page for more information.

Let’s get started.

Allow us to help you get better. Contact us today to find out which program might be right for you, or to begin the process of arranging for treatment.

Call us at
1 (866) 542 4455

– OR – Contact Us