Adolescent Behavioral Health

Adolescence is a formative, sometimes tumultuous time that marks the transition between childhood and adulthood. Many common mental and behavioral health issues, such as anxiety or mood disorders, begin during adolescence. For this reason, it remains a critical period for prevention, early detection, and treatment of these issues to promote health and well-being during the teenage years – as well as in the future, as an adult. 

Waterbury HEALTH offers specialized services for treating adolescents (12 to 18 years of age) who are experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties. We provide outpatient care that ranges from intensive programs that encompasses several hours of treatment per week to more traditional family therapy options. Our experienced, multidisciplinary team consists of board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, licensed professional counselors, and psychiatric nurses.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a meeting with one of our psychiatrists. Nurses will review the adolescent’s medical history and current medical concerns, while a therapist will set initial treatment goals and assess family dynamics. Generally, the patient is able to start treatment on the day of their evaluation.

Our team has expertise in many problems and disorders that affect adolescents, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Self-harming behaviors
• Psychosis
• ADHD
• Problems at home
• Suicidal ideation
• Trauma
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Substance abuse
• Problems at school

Our treatment programs are tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and help them return to their daily lives at home and school. We develop an individualized treatment plan in cooperation with the patient and parents or other caregivers that will focus on areas of concern. The overall goal is to improve functioning at school, home, and in the community.

Treatment services offered by Waterbury HEALTH for adolescents suffering from mental and behavioral health issues include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Provides a structured program of outpatient psychiatric services as an alternative to inpatient psychiatric care. Patients live at home while attending 4 hours of intensive treatment per day, five days per week. Treatment consists of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and medication evaluation/management. Utilizes evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Slightly less intensive than PHP, but still consists of more treatment than traditional weekly therapy can offer. Patients live at home while attending 3 hours of intensive treatment per day, three to five days per week. Treatment consists of group therapy, family therapy, and medication evaluation/management. Utilizes evidence-based approaches such as dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Family Therapy: Counseling that can help family members improve communication and resolve conflicts. An essential part of treatment, individual family therapy sessions are held weekly during a time that suits the family’s schedule.
• Multiple Family Therapy: Combines the power of group therapy and family therapy by bringing together a collection of families facing similar problems. Sessions are held every Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Note: This service is subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

To make an appointment or for more information about adolescent behavioral health services at Waterbury HEALTH, please call (203) 573-7121.

Contact Information:
Adolescent Behavioral Health Services of Waterbury Hospital
88 Grandview Avenue
Waterbury, CT 06708
(203) 573-7121

Hours:
Monday – Friday
Flexible hours starting at 8:00 a.m.