Adolescent Inpatient Program

SBHS 2 North/ 2 South Adolescent  Unit is for 12-17 year old  adolescents who exhibit self-destructive behaviors and are in need of stabilization due to chronic internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Adolescents who will benefit from this program have had previous treatment failures, including outpatient and/or psychiatric hospitalizations. All diagnoses are accepted within this program. . Each adolescent will be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the program can reasonably be expected to provide both stabilization and treatment.

Principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) serve as the basis for programming on the 2 North/2 South Unit.    DBT principals, as designed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D, combine elements of cognitive-behavioral techniques, relaxation, self-soothing, and enhancement of self-awareness skills. This approach emphasizes personal and situational acceptance while providing encouragement and core skill development towards a more HOPEFUL and positive life. Implementing evidence-based treatment interventions, such as DBT, along with the incorporation of the latest innovative models for difficult populations enables this program to be the best choice for those adolescents whose mental health issues put them at risk. A successful patient learns to modulate emotions to support capacity for making healthy choices and utilizing appropriate coping skills within their home and community.

The specialized Adolescent Unit serves young people age 12 to 17 who demonstrate externalizing symptoms such as impulsivity, self-destructive behaviors and are in need of stabilization due to chronic internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Patients who will benefit from this program have had previous treatment failures, including outpatient and/or psychiatric hospitalizations. All diagnoses are accepted within this program. Each adolescent will be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine if the program can reasonably be expected to provide both stabilization and treatment. Aggression Replacement Training (ART) serves as the primary clinical approach to treatment in this program. 

Adolescent 2E/2W adopts a hybrid Aggression Replacement Training curriculum infused with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) principals and adapted to work with adolescents struggling with both depressive symptoms and aggression/irritability. Groups focus on how to understand one’s own emotions and the driving forces behind aggression and other unsafe behaviors. Groups review skills such as assertive communication of needs, problem solving, mindfulness, relationship building and bullying behavior. Groups also focus on exploring one’s values and how this intersects with their moral reasoning in decision making. Adolescents learn to understand the relationship between their emotions and behaviors and how they can utilize coping strategies to regulate. Additionally,  patients learn and practice the principle of “thinking ahead” to support healthier decision making through identification of potential outcomes of choices. 

To reach the Adolescent Units, 2 East/2 West or 2 North/2 South, please call 630-837-9000 and ask to be connected with the appropriate unit.

As you can see by our treatment chart, your child, our patient, is the center of what we do every day. Led by the psychiatrist and therapist, the team will respond to your child’s needs throughout their stay with us. Beginning with the first treatment team meeting and throughout follow-up meetings, we will constantly review your child’s progress, getting critical input from him or her on their recovery.

Discharge planning is a multi-step task and begins the moment a patient is admitted to our facility. Discharge dates are discussed with patients and their parents or guardians during the meetings/sessions/conversations with the child’s psychiatrist and/or assigned therapist.  Our goal is to ensure that our plan for your child’s smooth transition to outpatient care is finalized and clearly communicated to your child and to you prior to discharge. We also commit to ensuring all follow up appointments are scheduled. If your child does not have a therapist and/or medication prescriber who can work with them once they leave our facility, we will assist in identifying aftercare providers. If your child is prescribed medication by the hospital psychiatrist, they will leave the hospital with a prescription for up to a 30-day supply of medication. Outpatient physicians or primary mental healthcare providers assume responsibility for managing medication and prescriptions following discharge.

At the time of discharge, the unit nurse will meet with you to review your child’s medication (if prescribed) and to review the clinical aftercare plan. During your child’s time in treatment, his or her treatment team will work with your child and you to develop the clinical aftercare plan. This plan includes a safety plan, a description of triggers, warning signs, coping skills and resources to support patients in maintaining their health and safety outside of the hospital. 

We encourage feedback from patients regarding the experience they had with us. Please feel free to complete a Service Excellence Counts card and place it in the suggestion box on the day of discharge or hand it to any staff. We welcome all feedback in order to continuously improve our services.