The Best Child Inpatient Mental Health Treatment & Detox Program in Valdosta, GA

Located in Valdosta, Georgia, Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital provides a warm and nurturing environment where children can begin to heal. We understand that finding care for a young person in need can be overwhelming for families, and our goal is to help our patients and their loved ones feel reassured and supported when they turn to us for care. 

Our child inpatient program accepts patients ages 5-11 who are struggling with substance use disorders and a range of behavioral health concerns, including:  

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder 
• Adjustment disorder 
• Aggression 
• Anxiety 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Conduct disorder 
• Depression 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder 
• Schizophrenia  
• Self-harm 
• Suicidal ideation 

Inpatient programming can be beneficial for young people who are experiencing distressful symptoms that have impacted their ability to flourish in their daily lives. In the inpatient setting, our team of attentive professionals provides round-the-clock, acute care to help patients stabilize and get on a path to healing.  

In our child inpatient program, we commonly treat young people who: 

• Are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or harming others 
• Are experiencing auditory and/or visual hallucinations 
• Have a history of schizophrenia or psychosis 
• Are addicted to a substance that can cause life-threatening withdrawals 

At our hospital, we recognize that an inpatient stay is just one part of a young person’s wellness journey, and we strive to help our patients get the most out of our programming. While the average length of stay is five to 10 days, we work closely with each child to determine the program duration that can help them make meaningful progress toward healing. 

 

Each child in the inpatient program takes part in an in-depth assessment that helps our team gain a better understanding of their health background, their needs, and the unique challenges they are facing. With this information, we can customize their care.  

One of our primary goals is to teach our young patients coping strategies that can help them function better and seamlessly return to their everyday lives. We are firm believers that receiving tailored care can help children learn the skills they need to overcome obstacles and achieve to their highest potential. 

Therapies and services offered in our child inpatient program include:  

• Basic medical care: Our nursing and medical staff provides basic medical care on a case-by-case basis. Patients may receive these services at the time of admission and three to five times a week following as needed.  
• Medication management services: Patients who take medication as part of their personalized care plan may meet with a psychiatrist weekly. Medication management services are provided by our nursing staff. 
• Detoxification: We offer on-site detox services for patients who need to remove harmful substances from their body as a first step in inpatient care. Detox is provided by trained medical and behavioral health professionals and typically takes three to five days to complete. 
• Family therapy sessions: Patients can take part in family therapy sessions on an as-needed basis. In these counseling sessions, families can work through conflict, improve communication skills, and learn how to best support their loved ones during the healing process. 
• Group therapy sessions: Group therapy is offered daily and covers topics like anger management, self-regulation skills, social skills, responsible behavior, appropriate expression of feelings, and effective communication. Led by therapists, group sessions can help young patients develop coping skills while establishing social connections with their peers. Group therapy is an important method of care because it can reduce feelings of loneliness and help children improve their social well-being. 
• Experiential therapies: We are pleased to offer a variety of experiential therapies, including acceptance and commitment therapy, narrative family therapy, art therapy, and music therapy, on a daily basis. 

In all our programs, we place great emphasis on continued care. We begin discharge planning for each patient at the time of their admission, and we adjust their aftercare plan along the way so that it continues to align with their progress and long-term goals. At the end of the program, we provide each patient with resources and referrals that can offer them ongoing support.  

Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital’s child inpatient program is led by caring professionals who are dedicated to helping our patients develop into well-adjusted teens and adults. Young people in our care can benefit from the expertise of psychiatrists, master’s-level therapists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, medical doctors, and other skilled professionals. 

Our staff plays a vital role in helping us fulfill our mission of delivering clinically exceptional, age-appropriate services. We are committed to ensuring that each patient receives encouragement and life-changing care from a team of compassionate professionals.  

Many of our staff members have additional training in specific areas and modalities, which enables us to provide comprehensive and leading-edge services. We employ therapists who have specialized training in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family systems, the 12-Step philosophy, solution-focused therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, and activity therapy.  

Our team believes that each child has the potential to improve their well-being with the right level of care. At our Georgia facility, we provide emotional support that can help our young patients build confidence and begin to thrive in all areas of their lives. We strive to empower them to remain committed to their healing journey by teaching them practical coping skills and treating them with genuine empathy and respect. 

For children who require acute care for behavioral health concerns and substance use disorders, early intervention is crucial for promoting their overall health and future success. At our hospital, we offer comprehensive care that is tailored to fit the needs of each patient, ensuring that they have access to services that can help them become the happiest, healthiest version of themselves. 

When young people in need receive behavioral healthcare services, it can help them: 

• Improve their development: Behavioral health concerns and substance use disorders can significantly affect a child’s personal growth, including their mental, emotional, and social development. Early intervention can reduce the risk for long-term consequences and support healthy development. 
• Enhance their academic and social functioning: Substance use disorders and behavioral health concerns can impact a child’s ability to perform at school and engage socially. Addressing concerns early can help children stay on track academically and maintain meaningful relationships with peers and family members. 
• Build resilience: Participating in individualized, professional care can help children develop important coping skills and learn strategies to manage their symptoms effectively. Building resilience early on can help them navigate future stressors. 
• Reduce stigma: Seeking early intervention can reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illnesses. Receiving professional care can normalize the idea of asking for help, encouraging children to prioritize their well-being without fear of judgment. 
• Improve their treatment outcomes: Research shows that early intervention may lead to better results. By addressing concerns promptly, children have a higher likelihood of experiencing symptom improvement and sustaining overall well-being. 

Untreated behavioral health concerns in childhood can worsen over time and lead to more serious conditions in adolescence and adulthood. Through early intervention, our patients can receive the care they need to prevent the worsening of symptoms and onset of other concerns later in life.  

We provide a seamless admissions process to help families, guardians, and referral sources get children the care they need quickly.  

If you are a parent or guardian of a child who may benefit from our inpatient programming, please reach out to our team today. You can begin the admissions process by calling us directly or visiting us in person. Whether you would like to schedule a screening or learn more about our inpatient services, we are here to help. 

Each potential patient participates in a no-cost screening, which can be conducted in person or over the phone at any time of day, to help us determine if our services are a good fit for them. If we decide that another provider may be a better fit for your child’s needs, we can refer you to another trusted facility.  

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Greenleaf Behavioral Health Hospital.