Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
When a young person is experiencing significant mental health challenges, it’s not always clear what level of support is needed.
Many youth benefit from outpatient or community-based services. But for those who continue to struggle despite intensive support—or who are cycling in and out of the hospital—a higher level of care may be necessary.
The Children’s Center of Hamden’s licensed Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility provides comprehensive, short-term psychiatric care, helping youth stabilize, heal, and prepare for what comes next.
What Makes our PRTF Different?
Not all residential programs are the same.
At the Children’s Center of Hamden, our approach focuses on daily, consistent support and strong family involvement:
Within this highly structured setting, youth receive:
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Psychiatric care and medication management
- On-site education through Whitney Hall School
- Therapeutic recreation and skill-building activities
This level of care is typically recommended following hospitalization or when less intensive services are not enough to ensure safety and stability.
Program At-A-Glance
Ages: 7–16
Length of Stay: ~3–4 months
Level of Care: Psychiatric Residential Treatment (PRTF)
Therapy: Individual, group & family
Family Involvement: Ongoing & home visits
Testimonials
Why Families Choose PRTF
When families are navigating residential treatment, they are often choosing between multiple programs. What makes START different is not just the level of care, but how that care is delivered.
Daily Therapeutic Contact
Youth receive consistent, high-frequency clinical treatment that allows for deeper therapeutic progress and stronger relationships.
A Strong Focus on Family
Families are actively involved through regular therapy, ongoing communication, and structured weekend home visits that help prepare for transition.
A Whole-Child Approach to Healing
Our program supports more than clinical progress. Through academics, recreation, and life skills development, youth rebuild confidence, connection, and daily routines.
Planning for What Comes Next
From the beginning, we focus on what comes after treatment.
Through family work, home visits, and coordination with providers, we help ensure each child transitions to the next appropriate level of care—with the support they need to continue moving forward.
Because residential treatment is not the end goal - it’s a bridge to stability and long-term success.
Is Psychiatric Residential Treatment the Right Fit?
Because our PRTF is clinical-level care, placement is coordinated through a referral process.
- Youth must meet criteria for this level of care
- Referrals are typically made through hospitals, providers, or state systems
- Families are supported throughout the intake and placement process
While families may not refer directly, they play a central role in decision-making and treatment once admitted.
Take the Next Step
If you’re exploring residential treatment, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Our team is here to help you understand your options, the referral process, and what level of care may be right for your child.