Columbus Behavioral Center for Children and Adolescents offers a residential treatment program to address the needs of adolescents, ages 13 to 18, as well as an outpatient program for ages 12-18, who have had difficulty dealing with mental health issues and maintaining appropriate behavior. The program offers physician-led, multidisciplinary treatment that addresses overall mental and physical well-being. Our programs offer a balance of therapy, education and fun activities in a secure structured setting. Male and female patients are treated on separate units.

Our daily schedule is structured so that residents know what to expect and what is expected of them. They go to school, attend psychoeducational groups, discuss feelings with therapists, and are encouraged to express themselves through art and leisure activities. Our program has a progressive system to allow for weekly feedback of progress in accomplishing goals and rewards associated with each phase. In addition, female and male residents live in separate, licensed units to promote focus on one’s own treatment and keep distractions to a minimum.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a component-based treatment model that incorporates trauma interventions with cognitive behavioral techniques and family principles as well as techniques to promote individual wellbeing, values and dignity. These components are reinforced through education in the areas of relaxation skills, affect regulation and cognitive coping skills. All of our therapists are trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Our staff receives ongoing training in sensitivity toward trauma.

Benefits of Residential Mental Health Treatment:

• Individual resides at the facility in order to provide quick and consistent intervention with behaviors and emotions
• Accredited on-site school that is part of the Bartholomew County school corporation
• Weekly visits with psychiatrist
• 24-hour licensed staff supervision includes Registered Nurses
• Multi-disciplinary team, including board-certified psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, teachers, and others to address the needs of each child
• Weekly therapy to address the child’s key needs and unresolved issues
• Tangible reward system allows the child to see individual progress each week
• Interactive milieu allows residents to learn positive skills from each other and staff, and to mentor their peers

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

At Columbus Behavioral Center, we provide Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT, developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D at the University of Washington, has been shown to significantly reduce para-suicidal behaviors such as cutting, suicide attempts and in-patient stays.

How DBT Works

DBT increases the development of behavioral skills that help residents build relationships, manage emotions, and cope more effectively with various life problems. DBT targets residents’ issues by teaching four primary skill sets:

• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Emotion Regulation
• Core Mindfulness
• Distress Tolerance

In each primary area, skills are taught and homework is given to assist youth in learning how to deal with their issues, without resorting to self-defeating behaviors, such as self-mutilation, suicide attempts, substance abuse and sabotaging meaningful relationships. The final and ultimate stage of DBT results in the youth being able to feel freedom and happiness with life.

DBT Program Features

• Female-focused DBT therapy groups
• Weekly individual or family therapy along with intensive group therapy
• Nutrition screening and plan compiled by a licensed dietician, as needed
• Psychological and neuropsychological testing provided, as needed
• Community-based recreational outings and activities

Areas in Which DBT is Effective:

• Mental disorder rated severe or complex
• History of severe physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment
• History of multiple placements
• Borderline Tendencies
• Recent suicide attempt

Columbus Behavioral Center’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy program is a minimum 90 day intensive residential treatment program created for females, ages 14–18 (with special consideration for females ages 12-13) with self-harming behaviors, borderline features, or intense emotional swings, who have not responded positively to prior treatments. Some specific areas of struggle include (but not limited to):

• Impulsive, para-suicidal (self-harming), and suicidal behaviors
• Regulating and managing emotions
• Functioning based on negative thinking
• Maintaining stable relationships
• Developing self identity

An Effective Treatment Model

Adolescents with persistent and pervasive emotional dysregulation, who have not been amenable to previous treatment efforts, can often benefit from intense Dialectical Behavior Therapy. DBT treatment was initially developed to treat parasuicidal behaviors associated with Borderline Personality Disorder in adults. It has also resulted in additional mental health benefits for the adolescent population with psychiatric disorders such as mood and anxiety, substance abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

DBT Treatment Components

The DBT treatment components include individual DBT therapy, group skill-based therapy, individual skills coaching and family therapy. These groups and treatment components will include:

• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Emotion Regulation
• Core Mindfulness
• Distress Tolerance
• Trauma Group
• Mindfulness Group
• Self Harm Group
• DBT Therapy Group
• Skills coaching reinforced 24/7
• Relational Approach
• Positive Behavior Support

In-depth Assessment and Evaluation

The evaluation includes both short-term and long-term treatment options related to medication, preferred therapy modalities, specifics of family interventions, transitional care planning and formulation of educational recommendations. Parents and guardians are always encouraged to tour the facility before admission.

Length of Stay

To conduct the evaluation and implement the treatment, a minimum of 90 days is optimal. During this time, the team works closely with the adolescent and their family/guardian to develop a collaborative aftercare plan.

Family Requirements

You are a key component in your child’s life and are therefore crucial to the success of his or her treatment efforts. As part of your signed agreement upon placement, you will be responsible for attending family therapy sessions twice per month and Parent Day one Saturday per month. In addition, residents are given therapeutic trial visits, or TTV’s, each week that allow them to spend time outside of our facility to work on their relationships within the family. Visitation and phone calls are also encouraged.