Mental Health Services

Every client who comes to St. Vincent’s receives psychotherapeutic and psychiatric services.

The following modalities are available:

Individual therapy
Family therapy
Group therapy
Psychiatric evaluation and consultation Medication management
Crisis Intervention
Day Treatment Intensive (Level 14 only)
Day Treatment Rehabilitative

Pychotherapy is provided by licensed or registered marriage and family counselors or social workers for the purpose of modifying the internal and external conditions, which affect behavior, emotions and thought. The goals of psychotherapy are the enhancement of reality testing, the amelioration of suffering, the clarification of the connection between thoughts, attitudes and behaviors, and a greater sense of well-being and self-control.

Experienced child psychiatrists who consult at St. Vincent’s provide evaluation and medication management in conjunction with staff and clients.

Many clients have come from as many as 10 or 12 other placements before they arrive at St. Vincent’s. Therefore, they come with a history of terrible disruption and inconsistency. In addition to that, some clients also suffer from mental illnesses. These two factors, the history of disruption and the intense psychological disturbance, usually means that the child has not developed the kind of internal and social skills he needs to navigate through his life successfully. These clients need a very structured and comprehensive approach to their treatment and for them, St. Vincent’s offers day treatment services after school.

Day treatment services are aimed at preventing hospitalization, developing symptom management and helping the client to develop the wherewithal to enter the “community” successfully, usually through mainstream education or by going home or to a foster family. Day treatment services include expressive arts, social skills education, equine-assisted therapy, symptom management approaches and recreation.

Inclusion of the family through outreach, education and therapy is vitally important so that the client’s growth and development can take place within the context of the family’s culture, value system, heritage and wishes. No matter what the ultimate disposition of the client is,the family’s contribution to the treatment is essential.

Day treatment services are available to children placed through counties who have MediCal (EPSDT) contracts with St. Vincent’s. Limited outpatient mental health services are available to other clients.