SMHC's Acute Care Program is a short-term, psychiatric intensive care unit designed to stabilize a child or adolescent's immediate crisis, while providing the client and family with a supportive aftercare plan that helps prevent or minimize the need for future rehospitalization. Treatment involves rapid evaluation, crisis stabilization, 24-hour nursing and psychiatric attention, medication management and discharge planning. A plan of service is tailored to the client's individual needs by a psychiatrist-directed, interdisciplinary treatment team of mental health professionals. Rapid and safe return home is an important goal; thus, family involvement is an essential part of treatment. This level of care is most appropriate for youth experiencing acute distress. Southwest Mental Health Center offers separate and developmentally appropriate acute care programming for preadolescent (ages 3-12) and adolescent (ages 13-17) clients.

SMHC's Hospital-based Residential Treatment Program provides longer-term 24-hour treatment for children and adolescents with chronic psychiatric disorders who have not responded effectively in less structured settings. We offer a full schedule of therapeutic groups and activities within a secure, hospital-based environment. Active family participation in treatment is strongly encouraged. This level of care is also appropriate for clients whose homes are not safe or stable, or as an extension of care for young people who have been hospitalized and would benefit from a period of residential care before returning to their home, school and community.

SMHC's Partial Hospital Program offers a short-term, less costly therapeutic alternative to 24-hour inpatient hospitalization for children and adolescents requiring intensive treatment in a highly structured but less restrictive setting. Clients live in their own homes and communities and come to our facilities during the day to participate in therapeutic activities and attend school within the program. Day treatment allows young people to use support systems within their families and communities while participating in therapy. This program is also beneficial for youth transitioning from an acute care setting back into the community, or at risk of needing acute care hospitalization. The Partial program operates Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

SMHC's Outpatient Services are available for the majority of children and adolescents who are able to resolve their mental health problems without hospitalization. Family therapy can help families improve communication and conflict resolution skills. Individual therapy can help a youth improve his or her ability to function in critical areas such as self-esteem, emotional stability, family relationships and academic performance. Outpatient psychotherapy also serves to maintain the progress made by a client during inpatient treatment, as well as to prevent rehospitalization.

SMHC's Psychology Services provide comprehensive and individually tailored psychological evaluations to diagnose and recommend treatment for a wide range of emotional, behavioral and interpersonal problems.