When an adolescent is in crisis, they need timely support. The Stepping Stones Program at CenterPointe Hospital provides inpatient care for young people whose lives have been disrupted by a behavioral health concern, a substance use disorder, or a dual diagnosis concern.
About the Stepping Stones Program
A young person who is suffering from an emotional crisis may struggle to function in their day-to-day life. But with appropriate support, they can start managing the feelings and behaviors that have kept them from being their best self.
At CenterPointe Hospital, we provide personalized inpatient treatment for adolescents ages 12-17 through our Stepping Stones Program, which serves young people who have behavioral health concerns such as:
- Anxiety disorders
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation and behaviors
- Homicidal ideation and behaviors
This program also provides care for adolescents who have both a behavioral health concern and a substance use disorder, or a dual diagnosis, along with those who are struggling with a substance use disorder. We help adolescents find recovery from addictions to substances including:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Benzodiazepines
This level of care is ideal for adolescents who are in severe distress and need round-the-clock support and intensive therapy. The typical inpatient stay at our hospital in St. Charles, Missouri, is short because the goal is to stabilize the young person so that they can safely return home or transition to a lower level of care. For this reason, the average length of stay in the Stepping Stones Program is about seven to 10 days.
The Care Experience
The adolescent care team at CenterPointe Hospital is committed to providing a stable, safe environment where your child can learn the skills needed to lead a happy, healthy life. We do whatever we can to make sure that the young people in our care feel comfortable, welcome, and respected throughout their time at our St. Charles, Missouri, hospital.
To set each of our patients up for success, we personalize their care following a thorough evaluation of their needs.
Your child will likely participate in group therapy during their inpatient stay because this type of therapy is foundational to the care we provide in the Stepping Stones Program. Each session is led by a master’s-level clinician, who tailors discussion topics to each young person’s therapeutic goals. We may also recommend individual and family therapies depending on your child’s specific needs.
If your child is struggling with a substance use disorder or a dual diagnosis, they may take part in on-site medical detoxification. Your child can meet with a psychiatrist to discuss their medication needs if they may benefit from certain medications as part of their healing process, and basic medical care is available as needed.
Our caring and compassionate team monitors each young person every step of the way, making any necessary adjustments to their care plan to ensure that they make progress throughout their time with us.
Admissions Process
At CenterPointe Hospital, we know how important it is for an adolescent who is in crisis to get professional support as quickly as possible. For this reason, we designed our admissions process so that each young person can get the care they need with minimal delay.
While appointments are not required, it is best to call ahead to talk to one of our assessment counselors. These knowledgeable professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can reach out at your convenience.
When you do come to our St. Charles, Missouri, hospital, a member of our assessment team will meet with you and your child to complete an initial evaluation to determine whether the Stepping Stones Program is right for them. During this process, they may gather information about your child’s:
- Current symptoms
- Psychiatric history
- Substance use history
- Social history
- Treatment history
If we determine that our inpatient program can best prepare your child for success, we will make arrangements for them to begin their healing journey in our Stepping Stones Program. However, if we feel that another facility may better meet your child’s needs, we can make the appropriate referral.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at CenterPointe Hospital.
