For more than half a century, the Child & Family Services team at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network (ADMHN) has been providing comprehensive treatment to children and families challenged by all kinds of emotional and behavioral issues.
These issues can interfere with the way children think, act and feel. Whether your child struggles with anxiety, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or a much more serious emotional or behavioral problem, we can select among a full range of services to help put your youngster on the path to recovery, while supporting your family.
At Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, we offer services for those with insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and sliding-scale/self-pay consumers, as well as those who are uninsured and underinsured (indigent) consumers.
Click on the links below to learn more about our comprehensive
Child & Family Services:
Individual and Family Therapy
Intensive In-Home Therapeutic Program
Prince Street Academy
Functional Family Therapy
Adolescent Substance Abuse
Therapeutic Groups
Educational Classes
Mental Health Assessment Program
After-School Program
Medication Services/Case Management
Individual and Family Therapy
The first step in your child’s treatment begins with a thorough assessment with one of our licensed therapists. During this evaluation, we’ll look carefully at your child’s strengths – along with those of your family – and at his or her individual needs. We then develop a treatment plan that leverages these strengths as the building blocks for success. Depending on your child’s assessment and specific needs, you may take part in a combination of individual and family therapy. The common goal of these therapies is to help resolve the emotional and behavioral issues that can cause significant stress and hinder your child’s ability to function at home, at school, with peers, or in the community.
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Intensive In-Home Therapeutic Program
If your child needs more acute services, we offer an Intensive In-Home Therapeutic Program. A short-term program designed especially for families in crisis, this powerful family therapy offers the best chance of keeping children at home, thereby providing an alternative to costly out-of-home placements or hospitalizations. Treatment is based on the belief that children’s problems develop in the context of the family and community. Behavior modification, problem solving, and communication and negotiation skills are emphasized, along with practical coping skills that families can use long after the program is completed.
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Prince Street Academy
Prince Street Academy is a year-round school, approved by the Colorado Department of Education, for children ages nine to 18 who have been identified as having significant emotional or behavioral problems that prevent them from temporarily attending their own school. An alternative to out-of-home placement or hospitalization, Prince Street Academy combines therapeutic services with certified education programming five days a week. Students also receive medication as needed and participate in family therapy as a component of this complete day treatment program. Children typically spend anywhere from one to nine months at Prince Street Academy before returning to their own schools – although the length of stay depends on the needs of each individual student.
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Functional Family Therapy
Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an intensive intervention program for families with at-risk children ages 10 to 18 who have a wide range of dangerous behavioral problems such as violent acting-out, substance abuse involvement and other serious antisocial behaviors. This highly successful, evidence-based family therapy program can lessen the intense negativity, hopelessness and blaming that families often experience when their child is in crisis and assist both child and family to function more effectively. FFT can take place in the home or in our outpatient therapy clinic. We place a strong emphasis on partnering with each family, operating with the belief that the strengths of families are important to treatment success.
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Adolescent Substance Abuse
Substance abuse continues to put millions of adolescents nationwide at risk for alcohol- and drug-related traffic accidents, dangerous sexual practices, poor academic performance and developmental problems. At ADMHN, we recognize that eliminating the self-defeating behaviors that often lead to teen substance abuse is an important step in helping teens learn to live drug and alcohol free. Our Adolescent Substance Abuse Program – which combines individual and family therapy – is designed to meet the special emotional needs of teen substance abusers while helping them develop the coping skills they need in order to live clean and sober. The goal is twofold: to teach kids to make responsible choices in life, and to equip each child with the tools he or she needs in order to remain abstinent for long periods of time without substituting other harmful addictions.
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Therapeutic Groups
We offer specialized groups that explore particular themes – like gardening or recreation – which can help bring a sense of normalcy to the lives of children challenged by emotional and behavioral problems. Offered periodically, these groups provide a safe, supportive and fun environment while also focusing on such therapeutic topics as self-esteem, social skills, problem solving and identification of feelings.
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Educational Classes
At ADMHN, we recognize that there are unique issues that come with raising a child with persistent emotional and behavioral problems. We offer various classes that address these special challenges, like our parenting and grandparenting courses. These popular classes focus on the particular needs of two distinct age groups – children ages three to 12 and adolescents. Please check our link to Educational Programs and Classes for a schedule of all our upcoming classes.
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Mental Health Assessment Program
The Mental Health Assessment Program at ADMHN provides comprehensive education, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment for children with symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders. Program referrals generally come from physicians, parents, therapists and school personnel. For more information, contact Ashley Taylor at 303.347.6442.
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Mentoring Program
ADMHN’s Mentoring Program pairs children and adolescents who are receiving treatment at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network with specially trained adult mentors who serve as trusted friends. Mentors are supportive role models who provide vulnerable, high-risk teens with a positive adult relationship, along with fun and safe activities such as camping trips, cultural outings and trips to the park. For more information, contact Laura Ruehlman at 303.996.6131.
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After-School Program
ADMHN offers a number of after-school activities that keep youth ages five to 18 engaged and productive. Held at Prince Street Academy, the program provides a safe place for kids who are currently in treatment with Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network to socialize and learn. Activities and times vary by season.
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Medication Services and Case Management
Prescription medication may be recommended as a part of your child’s treatment plan. If so, a comprehensive psychiatric assessment is available to determine if your child would benefit from such medication. If your child is placed on medication, regular medication checks will be scheduled with a psychiatrist or clinical nurse specialist. If your child receives medication without therapy, he or she will be assigned to a case manager. This case manager will supervise your child’s progress, attend medication appointments and be available as a general resource to answer your questions or concerns. Finally, 24-hour emergency services are also available for crisis intervention and assessment for psychiatric hospitalizations, as appropriate.
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