Children’s Mental Health treatment
1 in 5 children in the United States had a mental health condition in 2021. Half of parents whose children had depression or anxiety reported having a hard time finding mental health care for them, too.
You probably know what that’s like firsthand. You’ve already been through different child psychiatrists who weren’t the right fit. Maybe you haven’t, and you’re trying to make the difficult decision of who to trust with your child’s mental health for the first time.
No matter the position you find yourself in, at SoCal Youth Center, we understand. Those statistics and trouble finding care are why we do what we do – we know they’re more than statistics. Those are countless amazing Californian kids and families searching for relief and a helping hand.
That’s what we offer here. We equip children 8 years old and up with the skills they need to overcome the obstacles their mental health puts in their way. We welcome them into an environment that isn’t boring and clinical, but comforting and fun, without sacrificing the quality of our services. Let us tell you more about what we do.
What We Treat: Children’s Mental Health Conditions
SoCal Youth Center is owned and operated by a highly-trained psychiatrist, with additional experts on our staff. This enables us to treat a wide range of conditions in children, including severe and complex cases. Here are some of our primary offerings:
- Anxiety treatment
- Depression treatment
- Bipolar disorder treatment
- ADHD treatment
- OCD treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Trauma therapy
- Panic disorder treatment
- Antisocial personality symptoms treatment
- Borderline personality symptoms treatment
- Dependent personality symptoms treatment
- Narcissistic personality symptoms treatment
- Childhood trauma treatment
We don’t back down from helping any child, and we have experience caring for unique needs. This includes children with both mental health and developmental disorders. We understand what makes them tick, and what types of treatment they’ll connect with. We have strategies both you and your child can use to cope with and heal from the things that are holding them back in life.
Beyond coping, we want to empower your child to lean into their many strengths and grow in their weaker areas. We focus heavily on developing social skills in kids, and they’ll have lots of opportunities to make friends at SoCal Youth Center, too!
How We Treat: What to Expect From Mental Health Treatment Programs for Kids at SoCal Youth Center
We focus heavily on group therapy at SoCal Youth Center. It can be intimidating for some kids at first, but we have a lot of experience helping even the most skeptical kids feel comfortable and have fun.
We have specific groups dedicated to building social skills, raising self-esteem, and empowering kids to develop and understand their own identities. We want everyone in our care to know and believe they are precious and have something special to contribute to this world. They are amazing just as they are, but will also grow and become even better! Sometimes, the balance between self-love and self-improvement is delicate – even for adults. We teach kids strategies to maintain that balance as they get older, setting them up for a more stable and self-assured future.
Unity is one of our core values at SoCal Youth Center, and we use it to guide how we care for our young clients and how we operate as medical professionals. Our staff meets as a team multiple times per week to collaborate on treatment plans and discuss how to provide the best possible service for your family. That means your child will have a full team of professionals in their corner – not just one psychiatrist or therapist.
They will still see a therapist individually. A weekly individual session is part of every customized treatment plan, as is a weekly family therapy session. Chances are, you’ll have some homework as part of your child’s treatment, too. Helping a child heal is a family affair, and we’re here to empower you to be the best parent you can be.
Having a customized treatment plan means your child’s care will be tailored to suit exactly what they need. It will be based on their unique strengths and weaknesses, your concerns as a parent, and their distinct personality. How long any of our programs last depends on each child, too. We encourage your family to stay with us until your child is ready to take on the world, and you’re confident they can thrive.
Clients Testimonial
Psychiatric Treatment
SoCal Youth Center has multiple child psychiatrists on our team. This allows us to deliver the highest level of care to your family – including diagnoses of mental health conditions and medication management as needed. We will always discuss your options with you, and our expertise opens up avenues of treatment a psychologist or therapist alone couldn’t deliver.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is longer than our after-school program. In our PHP, the top priority will be your child’s mental health, but we dedicate ample time to schooling, too. We know how important it is for your child to stay on track with their education. Our licensed teachers keep in touch with their school and counselors, and we’ll all work together to make their transition back to regular life as smooth as possible.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (After School Program)
Our after-school program operates Monday to Friday from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. It includes three days per week of treatment, and which day of the week your child comes to us is up to you! The after-school program is a good choice for children who need additional support, but can still function well in school during the day. We also recommend it to our clients who finish their PHP. It ensures a more gentle transition back into aspects of life they missed out on while in treatment, as opposed to them going from frequent, structured mental health care to none at all.
Why Is Children’s Mental Health Care So Important?
The most common age of onset for mental health conditions is 14 years old. Certain conditions, like neurodevelopmental disorders and anxiety disorders, most commonly manifest at 5 years old. Of course, everyone is different. Bipolar disorder is most often diagnosed around 20 years old, but early symptoms can appear in childhood.
Mental health conditions are hard. They can significantly influence a child’s development and future if they’re living with one early in life. Growing up and learning so much about the world is extra difficult if you have mental health symptoms. They can influence how children do in school, how they build relationships, and how they function in every area of their lives.
Getting your child mental health care as early as possible allows them to truly enjoy life sooner. It will prevent future pitfalls and pain that might be exacerbated in adolescence and adulthood. Ultimately, the sooner they learn to manage their condition, the happier they’ll be for the rest of their life.
When Is It Time to Seek Youth Mental Health Services?
A child who grows up with untreated mental health concerns won’t know what it feels like to live any other way. This will make it hard for them to report any “weird symptoms,” like a teen whose mental health condition manifests in adolescence might. That means it’s your role to observe your child and their behavior and ask for guidance if anything seems “off.” You can always talk to your child’s doctor for advice.
Trust your instincts. If your child starts behaving differently than they used to or is different from other children in a way that is hurting them, it’s worth looking into. You can also keep an eye out for these signs your child could use additional mental health support:
- Persistent sadness, especially without a clear reason
- Withdrawing from others
- Hurting themselves or talking about hurting themselves
- Frequent emotional outbursts
- Major mood, personality, or behavioral changes
- Changes in eating habits and weight
- Trouble focusing
- Difficulty at school and/or not wanting to go to school
The more of these symptoms your child is experiencing, the more likely it is that they would benefit from seeing a mental health professional.
Let Us Help – Contact SoCal Youth Center Today
We know you’re probably exhausted. Parenting a child with painful mental health symptoms isn’t easy. You feel their pain alongside them, and you just want to fix it, but don’t know how.
It’s okay not to know. You don’t need to have all the answers to improve your child’s situation – you just have to reach out for help.
SoCal Youth Center’s expertise is at your disposal. We’d love to meet your family and help your child grow into the happiest, healthiest version of themselves.
SoCal Youth Center serves 8-19 year olds and their families. We’re proud to assist families with any concerns they have. We are here for the child with high-functioning autism and ADHD just as much as we’re here for the child returning home from the hospital after a suicide attempt. We encourage you to contact us no matter what your family is living with. There is no mental health concern that is “too much” or “not serious enough” for SoCal Youth Center. We want to hear your story and get your child the help they need. Call us at (714) 716-5044 to get started.
SoCal Youth Center: Celebrating diversity, embracing unity.