It can be incredibly challenging to trust someone else with your child’s mental health. Many parents spend countless hours worried about their child’s well-being. For some, mental health becomes a concern. If your child is struggling beyond what you believe to be normal or their doctor is recommending professional treatment, you may be unsure what steps to take.
Who can help you help your child? At Willow Creek Behavioral Health, we offer treatment programs in our 5- to 12-year-old and 13- to 17-year-old units. These programs are led by skilled psychiatrists who specialize specifically in treating children and teens.
Before you make any decision about how to call on for care, we recommend assessing the location based on how well it can offer support and solutions for your family. There are numerous factors to take into consideration.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Mental Health Treatment Center for Your Child
Mental health support for children is vastly different than what you can expect as an adult. The care is just as important, if not more so, but must also be customized to fit your specific needs and goals. Here are several factors to look for when choosing a treatment program for your child.
Who Is Running the Program?
Children’s mental health is complex. Choose a provider with extensive experience working hand-in-hand with children of the age of your child. At Willow Creek, our staff includes registered nurses and master level therapists. These are professionals with specific training and experience working with children in your child’s age group.
What Type of Treatment Is Used?
The treatment facility should be very open with you about the type of care your child will receive (and what they will not receive). Ideally, choose a treatment program that offers a multi-modal psychotherapeutic treatment program. This means the treatment center has several strategies to help individuals heal and recover. That’s important since every child’s journey towards recovery will be a bit different. You want therapists who have options.
You also have the right to know what types of medications and therapies the location offers and what they do not. As a parent, you may not have years of experience or a degree to know what type of therapy works for your child’s needs. However, you want to be sure that your child has access to people who do have this extensive history and an understanding of the complexity of a child’s mind. Mediations, physical therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one support are common strategies.
Do the Details Work Out
As you compare the treatment options available to your child, be sure to ask questions and gain insight into the experience they will have. There are several ways we offer flexibility here.
- Every child will be in a structured therapeutic environment. Our goal is to support their natural healing and recovery. These environments are meant to be safe.
- Care is always focused on smooth transitions that feature necessary and appropriate levels of follow-up care. Your child will need ongoing support after the immediate care in our treatment center.
- Coordination and discharge planning are always big factors. It is critical to know that families or other caregivers are ready to take on new challenges and what community agencies may be available to offer guidance and support.
- Education is ongoing. Your child’s presence in treatment does not eliminate their need for education. Our location offers an on-site classroom and a licensed instructor who may allow the child to advance their education.
When Does My Child Need Inpatient Mental Health Care?
It’s hard to know when a child needs advanced care like this. Most of the time, we encourage you to reach out to us for a formal and individual consultation to discuss what we can do for you. However, if you see any of the following warning signs, don’t wait to find out what to do.
- Drastic changes in behavior or personality
- Talking about suicide
- Sadness that lingers longer than a week or two
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches
- Hurting oneself and talking about it
- Changes in the ability to sleep well
- Changes in appetite
- Weight loss
- Loss of interest in friends or socializing
In these situations, it’s time to get help. As a parent, you need the confidence of a trained professional who can help your child navigate the complexities they are facing.
Talk to Us About Your Child
At Willow Creek, we offer a confidential, no-cost assessment 24/7 days a week. As a fully accredited program designed for the unique needs of children and teens, you can trust that we’re here to help you move forward. Contact us with all of your questions now.
