THERAPEUTIC CLASSROOM 

Therapeutic Classroom Statement

Over the past several years, it has become evident that there are numerous students who have been diagnosed with mental health issues and are unable to function successfully in the traditional educational setting. These students may be currently enrolled in a public or private school, an alternative education program or a partial hospitalization program.  They are in need of a therapeutically, structured program that provides individual mental health treatment and promotes academic success. To this point, the only options for these students have been traditional Alternative Education Programs and Partial Hospitalization.

Alternative Education Programs are designed for students who are experiencing behavioral difficulties in the public school setting and are often in need of behavior modification.  These students are  often disruptive and aggressive (both verbally and physically,) and  often create a rather unfavorable environment for therapeutic intervention.

At the other end of the spectrum are the Partial   Hospitalization Programs (PHP.) These programs are designed as mental health treatment programs which include an educational component. Students who are enrolled in a PHP are often at-risk for  self-injury/suicide, inpatient and/or residential treatment.  PHP is a more restrictive level of care, designed as short term intervention with psychiatric services, medication management and group therapy.

For those students who no longer meet, or never did meet, the criteria for PHP but are experiencing mental health difficulties, traditional Alternative Education Programs (as  previously described) may not be appropriate. These students, in general, do not demonstrate violent, aggressive nor criminal behaviors, and therefore may not be suitable for inclusion in a program that accepts such referrals. These students benefit significantly from a program that emphasizes individual and small group therapy, a structured educational curriculum,  and/or Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services (BHRS– also know as Wraparound) or Outpatient Services after school and or weekends.

Goals of the Therapeutic Classroom

¨         Provide individualized educational services & individual and/or small group counseling in a therapeutic environment

¨         Provide additional Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services (BHRS) for the adolescent and/or family as needed

¨         Provide individualized attention and support for students who are transitioning to or from Partial Hospitalization Programs, Inpatient Hospitalization Programs or Residential  Treatment Facilities  

Provide interim services to those students who are on a waiting list for a Partial Hospitalization Program or are ready to begin a transition plan and return to a traditional school setting

Admission Criteria

Adolescents will be considered for admission if they are unable to function successfully in the current educational placement, are unsuccessful in the current educational placement despite supportive services that have been implemented (i.e. Special Education, Outpatient Therapy, BHRS, etc.,) and are not presently at risk for suicide, necessitating inpatient treatment.

Adolescents will be evaluated by a Psychiatrist/ Psychologist or Masters Level Therapist to determine if the therapeutic classroom is an appropriate placement for the individual. Students whose presenting problem is physical aggression, criminal behavior, or drug/alcohol abuse are not appropriate referrals for this program.

In order to receive maximum benefit from the  program, each student must be willing to participate in group counseling sessions and  treatment recommendations made by program staff. Furthermore, each student and parent/guardian must participate in a psychological/psychiatric evaluation and each student will be evaluated for BHRS services including TSS, BSC & MT Services through ACRP. 

Discharge Criteria

Each adolescent will be considered for discharge upon achievement of the goals outlined in the   individual treatment and/or educational plan. 

However the adolescent may be involuntarily discharged from the program if they refuse to cooperate with the treatment recommendations, program rules or engage in unacceptable behaviors, therefore jeopardizing the treatment, academics and safety of themselves and others.

Call for Further Details:  (814) 539-7339