Children’s Inpatient Treatment Program

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, we are dedicated to providing patients with individualized treatment. We recognize that the children who receive care at our hospital come from different backgrounds and have unique strengths and treatment goals. For this reason, we create care plans that are customized to meet each child’s needs. 

Our team of qualified professionals gives each child an assessment as part of the admissions process so that we can gain a thorough understanding of the child’s medical history, current mental health concerns, and specific developmental needs. The information we gather from this assessment helps us to develop individualized treatment plans that outline the services each child will receive and the therapies they will take part in during their time with us. 

We offer admissions assessments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To begin the admissions process for your child or loved one, you can call our intake department to schedule an in-person assessment. Families may also walk into our behavioral health hospital near Baton Rouge at any time and receive an assessment. Patients can also enter our child inpatient program directly from referring emergency departments, urgent care clinics, doctors’ offices, and crisis centers. Our admissions counselors complete the assessments and then review the results with our providers in order to determine if the care offered in our inpatient program will meet the child’s needs. 

The goal of our child inpatient program is to inspire young patients and provide them with a peaceful healing environment where they can learn skills that can help them improve their emotional well-being. In the child inpatient program at our behavioral health hospital, children can take part in a variety of evidence-based therapies and receive quality clinical services. Examples of the therapies and services we offer include: 

• Basic medical care: Before beginning treatment, children receive a physical evaluation by one of our nurse practitioners. The results of this evaluation can help our team determine if the patient may have any medical needs that need to be addressed or monitored during their time with us. Patients can then meet with a nurse practitioner as needed throughout their stay for basic medical care.  
• Medication management services: If medication is a part of a child’s treatment plan, they will meet with a psychiatrist at least five days a week for medication management services. Nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses are also available to administer medications and monitor the effects of those medications. 
• Individual therapy: Licensed therapists provide individual therapy sessions for patients in the child inpatient program. Children typically take part in one individual therapy session during their inpatient stay. However, our therapists can schedule more sessions with patients if needed.  
• Family therapy: Family therapy can be an incredibly important aspect of the healing process for children who are struggling with behavioral health concerns. Most patients will have at least one family therapy session during their stay in the child inpatient program.
• Group therapy: Group therapy is a large part of our inpatient program for children, and patients will have one to two group therapy sessions each day. Licensed therapists lead these groups and guide discussions on topics such as depression, anxiety, anger, coping skills, and more. 
• Experiential therapy: We believe that experiential therapies can provide children with opportunities for learning, healing, and growth in a fun and interactive environment. For this reason, we offer art therapy, sand therapy, and play therapy for our child patients. 

The therapy sessions in our child inpatient program incorporate various approaches to behavioral health treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and cognitive restructuring. These research-backed therapies have proved to be effective in treating a range of mental health conditions. With the help of our trained therapists, children can learn to identify and manage their emotions, communicate more effectively, and build strong relationships with others. They can also learn how to set and achieve goals, develop a positive self-image, and increase their self-confidence. 

All of our therapies are conducted in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment where patients can feel comfortable discussing their concerns and working toward their goals alongside their peers.  

If a child is struggling with mental health concerns, it’s important to reach out for help from a treatment center like Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems. With the right support, children can learn how to manage their symptoms and lead happier, healthier lives. 

Our behavioral health hospital staffs a diverse range of qualified professionals to provide care for children in our inpatient unit. These professionals include: 

• Psychiatrists 
• Psychologists 
• Licensed therapists 
• Advanced practice registered nurses  
• Family nurse practitioners 
• Licensed practical nurses 
• Registered nurses 
• Recreational therapists 

These team members work tirelessly to fulfill our commitment to delivering exceptional care for our patients. We believe that every patient deserves to receive treatment from a team that is skilled, compassionate, and attentive. At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, our goal is to help each child in our inpatient program have an enriching experience that improves their lives. Our team provides high-quality care that is delivered with empathy, and our hope is that each child can make progress in their journey toward improved mental health. 

At Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, we are dedicated to serving children and families throughout the state of Louisiana. Our inpatient behavioral health hospital is conveniently located less than an hour from Baton Rouge, two hours from New Orleans, and is easily accessible from Interstate 10. 

The team that provides care in our child inpatient program strives to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for children and their families. We recognize that healing can be a lifelong journey, and we are committed to providing a nurturing environment where children can learn and grow. The patients we care for in our child inpatient program may be at different places in their lives emotionally, socially, and developmentally, and we want to make sure the care they receive meets them where they are in their healing journeys. Our child inpatient program is designed to provide young patients with the most beneficial care in the least amount of time so that they can return home. 

If a child needs inpatient treatment for a behavioral health concern, they might feel overwhelmed or nervous about being away from home and adjusting to a new routine. We strive to make every child feel comfortable and safe during their time with us.  

From the moment a child is admitted to our behavioral health hospital, we begin preparing for their discharge. A multidisciplinary team of physicians, therapists, registered nurses, and referral sources work with patients and their families to develop an aftercare plan to promote a child’s continued success long after their time with us has come to an end.  

If you have any questions about our child inpatient program or about any of the other programming options available at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems, please reach out to us today. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Vermilion Behavioral Health Systems.