Mental Health Programs for Children and Adolescents

Is your child or teen experiencing a mental health crisis? UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has the only psychiatric-specific emergency service in the Pittsburgh region. We offer 24/7 access to a psychiatrist and multidisciplinary support team for immediate diagnosis and care.

UPMC Western is one of the few hospitals in Pennsylvania offering inpatient hospitalization for children and adolescents. Our inpatient programs tailored to your child’s age, problems, and needs. And Western’s Inpatient School Services lets students continue their school studies during hospitalizations of more than a few days.

Your child may need a partial hospitalization program if a significant level of intense mental health help is needed. Your doctor may recommend a partial hospitalization program instead of inpatient psychiatric care. Partial hospitalization is a good way to continue treatment after inpatient care, too.

With partial hospitalization, your child or teen gets mental health treatment during the day. Then they go home to be close to your family and sleep in their own beds at night.

Western offers partial hospitalization programs for children and adolescents at a variety of locations. The programs run 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Kids get help through group sessions, individual therapy, and psychiatrist visits. Some of our partial hospitalization programs are focused on a specific diagnosis or condition.

Does your child need help that doesn’t require a hospital stay — but their symptoms are severe enough to affect their day-to-day life? An intensive outpatient program may be the best choice. This is a highly structured and more involved level of care.

Western offers intensive outpatient program at many locations. These programs run 3 hours a day, 3 days a week. Kids get help in group sessions, individual therapy, and psychiatrist visits. Children and adolescents meet with others of similar age ranges — younger children and teens don’t meet together.

Some of our intensive outpatient programs focus on a diagnosis or condition, and some are based out of specific schools.

In outpatient therapy, your child or teen goes to a hospital or clinic for treatment. They don’t stay overnight. They may participate in group sessions or individual one-on-one therapy. Outpatient therapy is available at a variety of locations and may even include virtual care.

Mental health disorders can create strain, communication breakdowns, trauma, divorce, and other problems in families. Family therapy can help. You’ll get support not only for your child or adolescent, but for your entire family.

Family-based therapy focuses on strengthening the whole family to work toward managing a child’s behavior and emotional issues. Western Behavioral Health’s specially-trained mental health professionals meet you in your home. They provide treatment, education, and case management.

There’s a growing need for mental and behavioral health services, especially for kids. The UPMC Western Wellness for Kids program offers behavioral health therapy for kids with new mental health concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and attention deficit / hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).

Your child or teen will meet one-on-one with a therapist in person or virtually. Your child’s therapist works with an experienced psychiatrist. They can manage any prescribed medicines and help your child enter a more intensive care program if needed.

Western provides a range of services for children from birth to age 7 who have experienced trauma or have behavioral or mental health problems. Services are offered through the Matilda Theiss Child Development Center in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. To learn more, call 412-383-1575.

The UPMC Center for Eating Disorders has services for children (starting at age 8) and teens who have ongoing eating disorders. These can negatively affect their health, emotions, and actions in day-to-day life. Your child and you will work closely with our team of mental health and nutrition experts. Together, you’ll create a treatment plan that fits your child’s age and needs.

Western Behavioral Health’s program cares for children, teens, and young adults with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where are major changes in mood, from energetic highs to depressive lows.

After thorough testing, your child's treatment may include:

• One-on-one therapy.
• Group sessions.
• Family therapy.
• Medicines, if needed.

Both inpatient and outpatient levels of care are available, depending on your child’s needs.

Research shows that signs of psychosis often start when a person is young. Psychosis describes conditions that affect a person’s mind. It can include unwanted or strange thoughts, hearing and seeing things others can’t, and social withdrawal. It causes people to lose the ability to recognize reality or relate to others.

HOPE stands for Helping Overcome Psychosis Early. The HOPE Team is dedicated to detecting and treating the earliest signs of serious mental illness before they become a crisis. This early intervention program serves children, teens and young adults (ages 10 to 26) having unusual or extraordinary experiences. Services can include evaluation, consultation, therapy, peer support, health care coordination, and family support.

Does your child have unwanted thoughts that won’t go away or engage in repetitive behaviors? They may have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Western Behavioral Health has the only pediatric program of this kind in western Pennsylvania.

We’ll evaluate your child’s OCD, then talk with you to decide which program will work best. We offer:

• Outpatient and hospital-based care.
• Treatments to help them move through their unwanted thoughts and impulsive behaviors.

The SAFE program focuses on therapy to treat harmful sexual behaviors in young people. SAFE is a partnership between Western Behavioral Health and the Department of Human Services of Allegheny County Juvenile Court.

The SAFETY program is proven to stop kids from engaging in fire-setting behaviors. Children get trauma-informed treatments that are right for their age, along with safety training and family therapy.

STAR stands for Services for Teens at Risk. The STAR Center helps young people who have depression or anxiety, or are at high risk of suicide. We provide a fast evaluation to understand their situation and plan your child’s care specifically for their needs.

• If your child needs help but doesn’t need to be in the hospital, STAR offers week-long intensive therapy in a nonhospital setting. The group meets 5 hours a day, 5 days a week (called partial hospitalization).
• If your child needs more help than weekly therapy sessions can provide, the intensive outpatient program meets 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for 4 to 6 weeks.

If you’re over age 18, our Co-STAR program partners with colleges to offer care and support.

You can find mental health care for your child or teenager close to home and in a familiar place: your pediatrician’s office. Western partners with Children’s Community Pediatrics to offer mental health services in pediatric practices. From in-office therapy sessions to referrals to other Western services, we are nearby if your child needs mental or behavioral health help.

Western Behavioral Health also has a strong presence in many schools. Behavioral health services at schools makes sure mental and physical health and prevention activities are available to all children.

We provide school-based assessment and care for depression, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and other needs.