FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: How is the Institute different from what we have done in the past?
A: The Institute is a unique family system focused therapy program-unlike any other that deals with adolescents. Our therapeutic milieu enhances the intense individual and family therapy sessions. For over 27 years we have specialized in treating adolescent psychiatric, substance abuse and dual diagnosed (co-morbid) conditions.
Q: What kinds of problems do you treat?
A: Adolescents can present with a variety of complex problems. Typical presenting problems include: mood/emotional disorders, substance abuse disorders, anxiety and depressive disorders, medical-psychiatric conditions, complex trauma-PTSD, social adaptation-academic problems and significant family system conflicts.
Q: How long is treatment?
A: As each adolescent and family is different, the length of stay is individually determined. The typical length of inpatient / residential care is 34 days followed by step-down intervals such as partial care, intensive outpatient, and/or outpatient-aftercare services. A continuum of services may last from 8 months to two years based on the needs of the adolescent.
Q: How many adolescents do you treat?
A: We are selective in our admissions and treat a small number of adolescents (15-20) at one time.
Q: How will we know if this is a good match?
A: We do a thorough review of past records and data from parents in preparation for our evaluation and recommendations. The diagnostic interview will solidify the appropriateness and orientation for treatment. Parents will make the decision to treat or not.
Q: Do you use prescription medications for psychiatric conditions?
A: Neurological mechanisms and brain development is not complete during adolescent years. We establish baseline needs and skills of every adolescent before we consider using medications. Simply, if the adolescent can function within a reasonable level of adaptation, then medications may not be useful. Many medications do not achieve the desired effects as intended with adolescents; if this is the case it is not a sound practice to continue their use.
Q: How do you treat a drug user different from a non-drug user?
A: Adolescents use a variety of deceptive tactics (drug use) to maintain ‘secrets’ from parents. Well over 65% of adolescents present with some level of drug-alcohol use as an active clinical concern. Drug use then is a familiar tactic of how adolescents regulate their need for intimacy and distance. Non-drug abusers use other tactics and our intervention utilizes overlapping techniques designed to interrupt the downward cycle of the adolescent.
