Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Inpatient Services

Children often face stressful situations such as adjusting to school, social, and family pressures that may result in psychological conditions that cannot be managed in the outpatient setting. NewYork-Presbyterian has inpatient psychiatric units for children and teens to help them cope with difficulties in a secure environment.

Nichols Cottage & the Adolescent Unit

Nichols Cottage, part of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine, is an 17-bed inpatient child psychiatric unit designed to help children, aged 5 to 12 years, and their families manage crises. Similarly, the Adolescent Unit is a 21-bed inpatient psychiatric unit that serves adolescents aged 13-17 and their families. Both units are located at NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center.

Treatment begins with an integrative biopsychosocial formulation focusing on the factors that led to the inpatient admission. The hospitalization involves stabilizing acute symptoms, ensuring the safety of self and others, rapid and in-depth review of diagnosis and the psychosocial circumstances, implementation of effective psychopharmacologic and psychological treatments along with an individualized discharge plan. The milieu was designed to be a space of comfort fostering a child friendly atmosphere. The treatment team collaborates extensively with the patient’s family to gather information, enhance communication and strengthen or establish a support system. Family work continues throughout the hospitalization providing support psychoeducation, skill development and safety planning. The teams work collaboratively to assist in the coordination of referrals, appointments and securing outpatient services as the patients progress towards discharge.

Whether on Nichols Cottage or the Adolescent Unit, our multidisciplinary staff — consisting of child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, activity therapists, and teachers — treat a variety of psychiatric conditions. These conditions include disruptive disorders (attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, oppositional-defiant, and conduct disorders), anxiety and depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental disorders, and psychosis. Also, maladaptive behaviors such as suicidal behavior, school refusal, running away, and psychotic behaviors often require a safe and closely monitored therapeutic environment afforded by these units. Our clinicians utilize different treatment modalities to address psychosocial issues affecting children, including individual, behavioral, cognitive and dialectical therapy, family and group therapy, as well as pharmacotherapy.

The multiplicity of psychiatric diagnoses belongs to the range of the disruptive (attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity disorder, oppositional-defiant and conduct disorders), anxiety and depressive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental disorders, and psychosis. Different groups of maladaptive behaviors requiring a safe and closely monitored therapeutic environment include suicidal behavior, school refusal, running away, and bizarre psychotic behaviors.

There is a strong collaboration with families, providing and encouraging opportunities for participation in their child’s treatment. Educational classes to continue students’ academic success are provided, and contact with each child’s school is maintained to coordinate a successful transition after discharge.

• Children receive a thorough diagnostic assessment, including neuropsychological evaluation if needed. Parents play an essential role in the evaluation.
• After the assessment, which is discussed with family, a treatment plan is developed utilizing the current resources and
• Daily assessment by a child psychiatrist who works closely with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• An eclectic treatment approach utilizing the concepts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is offered based on individualized treatment plans and the development of coping skills.
• Discharge to home and family is carefully planned so that the child has appropriate outpatient services to secure a successful transition.

Inpatient Education

Education, Inc. provides fully accredited school programs, including an elementary school program for inpatient students, on hospital grounds. Tutoring is arranged for children or adolescents who are unable to attend the Education, Inc. program.

Appointments

Please note, if this is an emergency, please dial 9-1-1 or visit your local emergency department. For free and confidential support from trained mental health professionals, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or NYC Well at 888-NYC-WELL (888-692-9355).