Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment

Adolescent inpatient services at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) provide 24/7 mental health support to children ages 10 to 17. Located in Washington, D.C., PIW treats young people in crisis or having difficulty managing emotions and daily life. Whatever your child is facing, we’re here to help them move forward.

Highlights of our program include:

• Highly qualified staff: A psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent care leads the program. They are also qualified to help manage adolescent patients’ psychiatric medications. This level of specialization helps your child get the care they need and gives your family added peace of mind.
• Education support: A licensed, certified D.C. public school teacher provides instruction Monday through Friday and stays in contact with your child’s teachers. They create a personalized lesson plan that helps keep your child’s education on track while they focus on their mental health.
• Family-centered care: Parents and guardians actively participate in their child’s recovery. We include your input during the intake process and work with you to tailor your child’s discharge plan. We also help you stay connected with your child through family visitation and designated times to call home.
• Teaching facility: PIW is helping train future mental health professionals through education programs. Only facilities like ours that meet high care standards can serve as teaching sites. Your child benefits from staff and trainees who are deeply committed to delivering exceptional care.

Adolescence can be a tough time. Some teens and young adults need a little extra support to work through their feelings. At PIW, we provide compassionate, around-the-clock care in a setting where young people can feel supported and cared for.

Our program may be right for your child if they are experiencing:

• Behavioral problems at home, school or with friends
• Depression
• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), or frequent, intense outbursts with ongoing irritability
• Mania, episodes of unusually high energy, racing thoughts or impulsive behavior
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis, or difficulty telling what’s real, which may include hallucinations or confusion
• Substance use, including drugs or alcohol
• Thoughts of self-harm or wanting to harm others

A psychiatrist, therapists, nurses, social workers and other clinicians work together to create a personalized treatment plan. Our approach helps your child build the skills they need to feel better and return to daily life with more confidence. 

Here’s what to expect:

• Trauma-informed approach: Staff recognize how past traumas shape a young person’s thoughts, emotions and behavior. They use a thoughtful approach that helps your child feel understood and engage in their care.
• Therapy and education: Your child works on managing emotions, building coping skills and understanding their behavior. Educational sessions cover identity, relationships, self-esteem and emotional healing after trauma.
• Medication management: Medications may help with mood, focus or anxiety. We regularly check that your child is receiving the type and dose of medication for their needs.
• Substance misuse treatment: We offer detoxification (detox) services to adolescents who need it. An addiction counselor is available to meet with your child one-on-one.
• Therapeutic recreation and expressive arts: Activities like art, dance movement and yoga give your child creative ways to express their emotions.

After inpatient care, your child may benefit from continued support from us as they ease back into daily life. PIW will soon offer outpatient adolescent services that help your child continue building on their progress. Services will be available in person and online, making it easier to fit treatment into their routine.

Call 1-800-369-2273 to schedule a no-cost and confidential mental health intake assessment. For non-urgent inquiries, you can also fill out our online appointment request form.

If you believe your teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, CALL 988 or seek the nearest emergency room. For physical health emergencies, CALL 911 or get to the nearest emergency room.