Many parents feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn when their teen needs help. Thankfully, different types of programs exist to support teens and their families through behavioral health challenges.
Inpatient treatment—think psychiatric hospital—for teens offers a short-term intervention for acute crises, while residential treatment—think group home with clinical staff—is designed for longer-term care, typically 30 to 90 days. Knowing your treatment options lets you put your teen in the program that best suits their needs.
What Is Inpatient Treatment for Teens?
You might be familiar with the term inpatient if you’ve ever had surgery. It refers to any medical treatment that requires a patient to remain in a medical facility overnight. Inpatient mental health treatment for teens is a short-term intervention model. It is designed for teens experiencing severe mental health crises or substance use issues that require immediate medical attention and supervision. Teens experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm, psychosis, or severe withdrawal from substances are typical candidates for inpatient treatment.
The Goal of Inpatient Treatment
The primary goal of teen inpatient treatment is to stabilize struggling teens through crisis management methods, which may include medication, intensive therapy, and other medical or psychiatric support. Treatment occurs in hospitals or other highly structured environments where medical professionals are available 24/7.
Most stays in an inpatient program are short-term. Some teens only stay for a few days, while others may last up to a month. A typical stay is about a week. Once teens have stabilized, they can be moved to lower levels of care, such as outpatient care or a residential treatment program such as Muir Wood.
What Is Residential Treatment for Teens?
Residential treatment involves teens staying in residence at a designated campus while they receive treatment. Rather than living in a medicall setting like a hospital, teens live in a more home-like setting with access to medical and clinical staff along with other professional support staff.
These types of treatment programs are designed for teens experiencing behavioral health challenges that require longer-term intervention. Teens experiencing anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders are typical candidates for residential treatment.
The Goal of Residential Treatment
Residential treatment aims to address behavioral health and allow personal growth. Group therapy, individual therapy, and family therapy are used in concert to build relationships and coping skills that support long-term well-being.
Most residential programs last at least 30 days. Treatment is tailored to each patient’s unique needs and can last 45, 60, or 90 days if necessary. Learn more about residential treatment.
Key Differences Between Residential and Inpatient Treatment
Because inpatient and residential treatment models both require overnight stays, they are commonly confused. They differ in these important ways:
- Level of Care: Inpatient programs offer round-the-clock medical supervision, a requirement for teens with life-threatening conditions. Residential options still provide valuable care for teens but focus on long-term wellness instead of acute crises.
- Intensity of Treatment: Inpatient programs are more intensive, with frequent medical exams, therapy sessions, and other direct interventions. Residential treatment offers comprehensive therapy balanced with daily routines, academics, and other experiences to support overall wellness.
- Setting: Inpatient treatment takes place in a hospital or hospital-like setting. While teens may interact with peers through group therapy, the focus is on medical and therapeutic intervention. Residential programs offer a more home-like setting. In addition to therapeutic relationships, teens build peer relationships that strengthen overall wellness through interpersonal and community skill-building.
- Goals: The goal for inpatient programs is safety and immediate stabilization. In residential treatment, goals include long-term recovery, acquiring healthy coping skills, and developing strategies to maintain mental health and sobriety.
Both types of treatment may play a role in the recovery process, with many transferring from inpatient programs to residential campuses for ongoing treatment.
How to Choose Between Residential and Inpatient Treatment for Your Teen
To decide which kind of treatment your teen needs, first look at the level of care they require. Any dangerous or life-threatening conditions should first be treated in an inpatient setting where they have access to 27/4 medical monitoring. If a teen has a substance addiction, inpatient or specialized programs are best equipped to deal with severe withdrawals.
If a teen has already been treated for urgent medical needs or has ongoing mental health concerns, residential treatment programs offer a structured environment for emotional and psychological growth.
Transitioning from Inpatient to Residential Treatment
Teens often require continuing support after a short stay in an inpatient program, and residential treatment can provide the necessary next level of care as teens strive for long-term recovery. Your teen’s doctor or therapist can act as a guide during this time. They may provide you with residential treatment referrals or provide you with resources you can use to select a program.
In general, you should look at a level of treatment that aligns with your teen’s needs, such as a dual-diagnosis program for teens who experienceboth mental health and substance use issues. Programs for teens should also:
- Meet accreditation requirements
- Have licensed clinicians
- Offer academic continuity or support options
- Provide family therapy
Learn more about how to choose the right treatment center for your teen.
Similar to transferring from a primary care doctor to a specialist, you must authorize communication between the inpatient and residential facilities. Speak with each program about their process for transferring medical records to make this process as easy as possible for your teen’s care teams.
Teen Residential Treatment with Muir Wood
If you’re unsure whether your teen needs inpatient or residential treatment, reach out to Muir Wood today for expert guidance and support. Muir Wood’s residential treatment programs for boys and residential treatment programs for girls each have experienced behavioral health staff ready to support your teen on their journey to recovery.