Children's Behavioral Health Services
Children face many obstacles while trying to grow and find their identity. The challenge facing parents and children as they cope with these issues can often lead to conflict in everyday life.
Children's Behavioral Health Services at Iowa Lutheran Hospital offers a continuum of care for children and adolescents (ages 4 to 18) who experience problems at home, school or in the community.
Common problems children experience include:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Behavioral problems
- School problems
- Poor self-esteem
- Depression
- Aggression
- Family conflict
- Defiant behaviors
- Poor impulse control
Continuum of Care
The appropriate level of care is determined individually through initial and ongoing assessments.
- Inpatient - Crisis stabilization and intervention on a 16-bed secured unit, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
- Children's Outpatient Programming -(for ages 4-12) This programming is offered during the day for three to six hours, one to five days per week. Children in this program return home in the evening. Staff members work with the child's school to help with the transition.
- Individualized Family Support - Staff provide individualized support and direction to assist parents with developing a behavioral management program to be utilized at home.
- Children's Outpatient Services
- See UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Counseling & Psychiatry Clinic, Blank Children's Psychiatry Clinic or Blank Children's Psychological Services.
Adolescent Behavioral Health Services
Iowa Lutheran Hospital recognizes the need for various levels of care to meet the needs of children and adolescents. Our services offer a continuum of care for kids ages 4-18 who experience problems at home, school or in the community.
Reasons For Admission
- Anger/Rage episodes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief, loss and abandonment
- School problems/truancy
- Sexual abuse/assault
- Suicidal threats/attempts
Continuum of Care:
Assessment
Individuals may call to schedule a comprehensive evaluation of mental health needs, including an adolescent's current mental health. Sessions last one hour and result in recommendations for the next step.
Intensive Outpatient
Programming is tailored to meet the needs of each individual adolescent. Participants attend from one to three days per week for less than four hours per day. At this level of care, adolescents may build on recovery goals and identify and develop positive coping skills.
Partial Hospitalization Program
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The goals of the Partial program are to provide crisis intervention, assess needs, initiate education and provide structure in the child's environment.
The appropriate level of care is determined individually through initial and ongoing assessments.
Treatment Components
- Anger Management
- Communication and assertiveness
- Crisis Management
- Medication Management and compliance
- Self-esteem and assertiveness
- Individual and family support