Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Programs

The decision to seek psychiatric help for a child, adolescent or teenager is not an easy one. Often, it’s hard for parents or loved ones to identify symptoms of a mental illness or to admit that their child may have a behavioral disorder. For families in need of getting a child psychiatric help, having access to specialized treatment programs with skilled and experienced clinicians is essential.

Where you can get help for a child suffering from social, emotional or behavioral problems

Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (PPI) treats children and adolescents with behavioral disorders in Inpatient, Outpatient and Partial-hospitalization programs. These programs help children struggling with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), learning disorders and conduct disorders.

The goal of all therapies is for each child to successfully return to his or her home, school and community. Services are delivered in safe, nurturing environments. Which mental health treatment program is best for the child, adolescent or teenager depends on their unique set of symptoms and circumstances.

All of our psychiatric programs focus on the same core objectives:

  • Helping the child cope with day-to-day circumstances that may have a negative impact on their life
  • Improving the child’s ability to function
  • Improving the child’s quality of life

Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment for Children and Adolescents

Learn more about our outpatient services

Our Child & Adolescent Outpatient Psychiatric Program is a less restrictive level of care than our Inpatient Program. It requires that patients come to the psychiatric clinic or facility only during treatment hours. This allows for easier maintenance of their normal family and school commitments. Patients who have completed an inpatient psychiatric program typically continue treatment in an outpatient psychiatric program.

This program provides therapeutic and diagnostic treatment planning specific to the needs of the child, including psychiatry and individual, family and group therapies.

Accepts patients ages 5-18 (21 if still in school).

Partial Hospitalization Psychiatric Treatment for Children and Adolescents

Learn more about our partial hospitalization services

Our Child & Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Psychiatric Program is designed for children and adolescents with acute symptoms of psychiatric disorders that are not severe enough to warrant Inpatient hospitalization. The program delivers structured services in a day-long treatment setting, including individual, family and group therapies.

This program is ideal as a step-up from outpatient psychiatric services or a step-down from inpatient psychiatric services.

Accepts patients ages 7-18.

Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment for Children, Adolescents and Teens

Learn more about our inpatient services

Our Child & Adolescent Inpatient Psychiatric Program is designed for children and adolescents whose social, emotional or behavioral disorders are severe enough that they are unable to function normally in school, home or a community setting.

This program provides therapeutic and diagnostic treatment planning specific to the individual needs of the child, including psychiatry and individual, family and group therapies.

Accepts patients ages 4-17 (18 if still in school).

Child and Adolescent Outpatient Groups

Learn more about our child and adolescent outpatient groups

At PPI, we offer specialized Child and Adolescent Outpatient Groups tailored to support the mental and emotional well-being of young individuals. Our program includes a variety of focused sessions such as Mindfulness, Communication and Leadership, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotional Regulation, LGBTQ+ support and Parent Processing. These groups are designed to empower children and adolescents in their personal development and emotional health while fitting seamlessly into their daily life commitments.

Join us in nurturing resilience and fostering growth in young minds.

Accepts patients ages 11-18 and parents of children ages 11-18 (Parent Processing).

How to enter a mental health treatment program

Doctor and health care professionals

To make a referral for a patient who is medically cleared and needs inpatient mental health treatment, please contact the Admissions Department at:

(717) 782-6493
or (866) 746-2496.

Patients, family members and friends

If anyone other than a doctor is making a referral to one of our treatment programs, please know that a patient must be willing to sign in for voluntary treatment. To begin the process, contact the Admissions Department at:

(717) 782-6493
or (866) 746-2496.

Be advised that we do not admit walk-in patients at our psychiatric hospital or clinics.