Inpatient Psychiatric Care for Children and Teens

Finding the help your child needs during a mental health crisis can be challenging. University Behavioral Center provides the necessary guidance and support to help your child on the path to recovery. Our inpatient psychiatric services for children and teens include comprehensive treatment options and education for patients and their loved ones.

University Behavioral Center Adolescent Treatment Programs

At University Behavioral Center, we offer compassionate, family-focused inpatient mental health care for children and teens between ages 5 and 17. Our program provides urgent crisis stabilization and treatment in a healing, nurturing environment. Together, we’ll help you and your family focus on the future.

Psychiatric Hospital for Children and Teens in Florida: Why Choose Us?

At our inpatient treatment center for teens and children, you’ll find:

  • Treatment focused on well-being: We blend many therapies to help your child have a healthier, fuller life. Our programs include individual, family and group therapy. We also coordinate with teachers and counselors to facilitate your child’s transition back to their home, school and community.
  • Care for complex conditions: We care for children who have mobility issues or other health concerns, such as those who are insulin-dependent or require a CPAP machine. Our clinicians provide around-the-clock monitoring and medication management throughout your child’s stay.
  • Experienced caregivers: During treatment, your child sees a psychiatrist, individual therapist, family therapist and other providers. Every member of our staff is trained to care for the unique needs of children and adolescents dealing with acute mental health crises such as suicidal thoughts or aggression.

Does My Child Need Inpatient Psychiatric Care?

At University Behavioral Center, we help youth under voluntary status as well as involuntary (Baker Act) status. Our program focuses on short-term crisis stabilization. Your child receives medication, intensive therapy and 24/7 supervision. Our acute inpatient program lays the groundwork for your child to transition to less intensive treatment, such as residential or outpatient programs, after their stay with us.

Signs that your child or teen may need urgent inpatient psychiatric care include:

  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits
  • Depression, sadness or self-isolation
  • Drug or alcohol abuse
  • Frequent outbursts or mood swings
  • Hallucinations, delusions or seeming out of touch with reality
  • Uncontrollable anger or aggression
  • Violence toward themselves or others

Conditions We Treat

At our intensive hospitalization program, we help youth and adolescents cope with:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Substance abuse
  • Trauma

Our Approach to Care

We provide crisis stabilization and family-focused care during your child’s stay with us. Our specialized staff draws on many therapies to start the healing process. We offer individual, group and family counseling, in addition to play, art and music therapy.

Our program also emphasizes:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): We use CBT to help your child change negative thoughts or emotions that contribute to behavioral issues.
  • Trauma-informed therapy: We help your child identify and process past trauma that could trigger or worsen a psychiatric disorder.

Goals of treatment include:

  • Educate your child about their diagnosis
  • Enhance your child’s sense of safety and stability
  • Help your child transition back to home, school and their community
  • Reduce suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Teach parents strategies to prevent future crises

Get Help Now

Call 407-281-7000 or contact us to get help now. At University Behavioral Center, our staff is available 24/7 for no-cost, confidential assessments. If you need immediate medical assistance, contact 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.

Help and hope are closer than you think.

Personalized mental health and addiction treatment is ready for you. We are here to help.