Inpatient Hospital for Teens

My 17 year old daughter is suffering from anxiety and depression. Fortunately, there don't seem to be any drug or alcohol dependencies, nor cutting or other destructive behaviors - yet. But things are going downhill very quickly. 

We are considering a few different options before going to an Inpatient program, but wanted to do some research now so we are ready if and when it may be needed. We are working with her psychologist and psychiatrist on finding the right place, but wanted to get other parents' thoughts/recommendations for places in the NY/NJ area because parents will offer a different perspective - sometimes, more insightful than a professional's.

Ideally, the facility would have great doctors (of course), but also focus on mental health more than drug/alcohol rehab. The place could certainly do both, but a lot of places seem to stress the rehab over the mental health aspect.

We'd appreciate any help, and would welcome PMs if that feels more comfortable.

Thank you all in advance.

I am a therapist in the area.  I have heard good things about the intensive out patient program at Overlook Hospital

Contact the local chapter of NAMI. They should be able to help.

No recs.  Just wanted to wish you luck.

it does get better 

- locally 

http://www.fourwindshospital.com/about_four_winds/

To be frank, with the host of budget cuts, most NJ psychiatric hospitals for teens are crap.  An exception would be

https://carrierclinic.org/

Out of state was our only option, and the best of the best is

http://www.menningerclinic.com/patient-care/inpatient-treatment/adolescent-treatment-program

shoshannah said:

Contact the local chapter of NAMI. They should be able to help.

Thank you - I will reach out to them.

peteglider said:

it does get better 

- locally 

http://www.fourwindshospital.com/about_four_winds/


To be frank, with the host of budget cuts, most NJ psychiatric hospitals for teens are crap.  An exception would be

https://carrierclinic.org/


Out of state was our only option, and the best of the best is

http://www.menningerclinic.com/patient-care/inpatient-treatment/adolescent-treatment-program

Thank you, peteglider! This information is very helpful.

Carrier is good for what it is, but they definitely are more focused on dealing with a major immediate crisis. It does not seem to be a good place to deal with longer term modifications. In terms of intensive outpatient places our experience with Genpsych was AWFUL. 

Hoboken Hospital has in in patient psych unit for kids/teens

Good friends sent their daughter to Timberline Knolls for depression and anxiety. It was a literal life saver. Unfortunately it is outside of Chicago. But they can't recommend it enough.

http://www.timberlineknolls.com/?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=Directory%20Listing&utm_campaign=Yext%20Main

blianderson said:

Good friends sent their daughter to Timberline Knolls for depression and anxiety. It was a literal life saver. Unfortunately it is outside of Chicago. But they can't recommend it enough.




http://www.timberlineknolls.com/?utm_source=Yext&utm_medium=Directory%20Listing&utm_campaign=Yext%20Main

This place sounds perfect, and perhaps we'll just need to factor in the travel. Thank you! 

You might want to look inot McLean in Belmont, MA. No personal experience but its highly rated and affiliated with Harvard. Definitely closere than Chicago.

I believe a co-worker brought his high school age daughter to Overlook to deal with her bulimia which had lead to cutting and worse.  He had tried several places before Overlook but ultimately it was Overlook that had helped her.  If you want I can follow up with him to see what they offered.

I went to st Claire's outpatient. Please try not to get admitted for inpatient. I was and it was a traumatizing experience. Please pm me for any info with regards to affordable counseling 

Agreed, St Clare's awful for inpatient. Overlook also just awful.  Here's an example - at nearly the end of the stay, in a group session, a patient attempts suicide, almost succeeds. It's just unimaginable to me how bad the staff must be to have not monitored the kids adequately.

Problem is most hospitals are crisis oriented, and then foist care on an IOP which may have an entirely different treatment algorithm. so whatever patient learns, what works, is almost useless. But it'll stay this way in cost driven insurance environment.

Thank you all so much for sharing your insights and experiences, both here and in PMs. It's nice to know that we have such a caring community!