Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital

       
Meriter Hospital offers the only community-based inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry program in south-central Wisconsin. Dedicated to meeting the unique needs of children and teens who require inpatient psychiatric care, Meriter's Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital is located in southwest Madison. Our 22-bed inpatient facility offers:

• A secure and closely monitored setting
• 13 private adolescent rooms and nine private children's rooms
• Group, family, individual and play therapy areas
• Occupational and recreational therapy areas
• A classroom for ongoing academic instruction
• Consultation rooms
• Gym
• Outdoor recreational space

Conditions We Treat

        
Meriter's Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital treats patients affected by a variety of psychiatric illnesses, among them:

• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorders (manic-depressive illness)
• Social withdrawal
• Self-destructive behaviors
• Attention and concentration difficulties
• Phobias and other anxiety disorders
• Thought disorders

Evaluation

     
Meriter's personalized program begins with a full evaluation to identify the scope and severity of problems. Depending on each patient's symptoms, our evaluation may include any of the following:

• Psychiatric evaluation
• Neurological examination and testing
• Psychological testing
• Medical lab evaluations
• Medical Imaging studies
• Genetic studies
• Interdisciplinary clinical assessments
• Educational assessment
• Living skills/functional skills assessments
• Family assessment
• Medication trial/evaluation

Treatment Options

         
Based on evaluation results, our hospital staff works with the patient's psychiatrist and family to develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment ranges from intensive one-on-one counseling to group activities. Typical treatment activities include:

• One-to-one support and counseling
• Crisis intervention
• Problem-solving groups
• Assertiveness training
• Social skills training
• Educational programs
• Occupational therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Exercise and movement activities
• Individual tutoring
• Play therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy sessions and education
• Parent education and support sessions

Clinical Staff

          
Meriter Hospital's Child and Adolescent psychiatry staff is a highly regarded and veteran team with specialized training and experience in the area of child and adolescent mental health treatment. The treatment team includes:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric nurses
• Occupational therapists
• Social workers (therapists and case managers)
• Alcohol and other drug abuse counselors
• Mental health specialists
• Certified school teachers
• Recreation therapists

For more information about our staff, please visit our page on the roles of the treatment team.

Family Involvement

      
Positive change is most often initiated and perpetuated through the family, which is why we encourage parents and other adults to be involved in family therapy sessions.

Referrals

     
We welcome referrals from psychiatrists, mental health professionals, parents, social service agencies, clergy, school systems and insurance companies. We evaluate potential patients for admission to learn which treatment option - inpatient, partial or outpatient - is most appropriate to the person's needs.

Payment/Insurance Information

        
Most insurance policies include coverage for psychiatric services; however, many require pre-certification. If you have questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance carrier.

Please note if you are a member of Physicians Plus and your primary care physician is from UW Health Physicians, you must seek precertification for mental health services through the Mental Health Case Management and Consultation System at (608) 282-8960 or 1-800-683-2300.

Related Services

   
Meriter Hospital also offers:

• A Partial Hospitalization Program option to youths ages 13-17. The program offers intensive, structured day services for those who need a four- to eight-hour treatment service that allows the patient to remain in the home setting. Participants can attend the partial program up to five days a week (Monday through Friday). Designed to help adolescents make the transition back to their communities using a healthy support system, the Partial Hospitalization Program offers education, assistance with schoolwork, group therapy, individual and family counseling, occupational therapy, recreational therapy and case management.
• Mental health consultation services for patients hospitalized on Meriter's medical and surgical units, and for those patients seen in Emergency Services.
• Mental health services for adults.
• NewStart, a chemical dependency treatment program for adults and adolescents.

Accreditation

  
Meriter's mental health programs are certified by the State of Wisconsin-Bureau of Quality Assurance and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.