UnityPoint Health - Meriter - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

CAP Facility Photo

Information

Number of patients waiting reflects the current number of patients waiting to be seen. This number changes frequently and is not exact.

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Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP)

UnityPoint Health – Meriter - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) offers community-based inpatient and outpatient psychiatric programs for children and adolescents in South Central Wisconsin.

Children & adolescents can experience mental health challenges that impact their lives and the lives of those who support them. These challenges may require the help of mental health professionals. We provide sensitive, responsive and innovative treatment for youth experiencing mental health challenges.

Hours & Directions

Directions:
Use County Trunk PD / McKee Road to Meriter Way & turn as you would normally go to the McKee Clinic. Go past the UnityPoint Health - Meriter McKee Clinic (Meriter Way) to the top of the hill (Wellness Way). Turn right to access the CAP parking lot.

Hours of Operation

  • Monday: Open 24 hours
  • Tuesday: Open 24 hours
  • Wednesday: Open 24 hours
  • Thursday: Open 24 hours
  • Friday: Open 24 hours
  • Saturday: Open 24 hours
  • Sunday: Open 24 hours


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Common Conditions Treated and Therapeutic Activities

Our Child and Adolescent Psychiatry program treats patients affected by a variety of psychiatric illnesses; common patient concerns include: depressive disorders, bipolar disorders (manic-depressive illness), social withdrawal, self-harming behaviors, attention and concentration difficulties, phobias and other anxiety disorders, thought disorders and more.

Based on evaluation results, our hospital staff works with the patient's psychiatrist and family to develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment ranges from intensive one-on-one counseling to group activities. Typical treatment activities include:

  • One-on-one support and counseling
  • Crisis intervention with a focus on recovery
  • Problem-solving
  • Training in assertive communication
  • Social skills enhancement, focused on managing emotions and developing mindfulness
  • Educational programs
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Occupational therapy
  • Exercise and movement activities
  • Individual tutoring
  • Family sessions
  • Parent education and support sessions

Inpatient Hospitalization

The inpatient unit at Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of children and teens who require inpatient psychiatric care. Our inpatient unit serves young people ages 6-18 experiencing severe behavioral health challenges.

Facility Information

What our 30-bed Inpatient facility offers
  • A secure and closely monitored setting
  • Private rooms
  • Classroom for ongoing academic instructions
  • Gym and outdoor recreational space
  • Outdoor walking track
  • Yoga studio
  • Calming room
  • Sensory room
Clinical Assessments and Screenings

Our personalized program begins with a full evaluation by a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist to identify the scope and severity of problems. Depending on each patient's symptoms, assessments may include any of the following:

  • Diagnostic clarification
  • Medication management
  • Living and functional skills assessments
  • Sensory assessment
  • Additional medical testing, including lab evaluations and medical imaging
Visiting Hours
All residents are permitted to have approved visitors. Families will work with care teams to establish a safe and supportive visiting plan.

Suicide Means Restriction: Important recommendations to help aid your child's safe return home

The purpose of this video is to educate families on the importance of securing unsafe items in their homes. These items include medications, firearms and any other items that may pose a risk to their children. We know that children are impulsive and even a brief interruption is often enough to divert a potentially lethal action. Our goal is to reduce suicides and suicide attempts by means restriction.

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS)

IOS offers treatment for adolescents who are struggling with a primary mental health diagnosis but do not require an inpatient hospitalization. Common diagnostic categories include depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.

IOS is not able to treat individuals with a primary diagnosis of an Eating Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Schizophrenia, OCD or those with a diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder.

IOS operates using the HEALTH model which allows participants and their families to improve overall wellness, increase community involvement, and gain important life skills.

Parent & Caregiver Support

The CAPable Caregivers group is an opportunity to discuss different psycho-educational topics as well as provide a supportive group environment for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents that live with mental health diagnoses.

IOS Program Information

Program Hours

Monday – Friday | 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Closed on Weekends and Holidays

  • Tween Group (Ages 12-14) 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
  • Teen Group (Ages 15-18) 7:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Daily transportation is required for participants.

Treatment Activities

We offer a variety of therapies based on the individual needs of each person:

  • One-on-one support and counseling
  • Case Management
  • Social skills enhancement, focused on managing emotions and developing mindfulness
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Educational programs
  • Occupational therapy
  • Recreational therapy
  • Exercise and movement activities
  • Family therapy sessions
  • Parent education and support sessions
  • Movement-based therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Medication management

Our Team

The treatment team includes board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and nurses, occupational therapists, behavioral health therapists, mental health specialists and certified teachers.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Letter from a Patient

Referrals

Inpatient Referrals
We welcome referrals from psychiatrists, mental health professionals and social service agencies. To refer a patient to our Inpatient unit, please contact a Charge Nurse at (608) 417-8777.
Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS)
Partial Hospitalization Program Forms are Open. Referral must be completed by a therapist, psychiatrist, case manager or PCP. Parents and guardians cannot make referrals

CAP Department Information

Inpatient
Department Information
The inpatient unit at Child & Adolescent Psychiatry is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of children and teens who require inpatient psychiatric care.
Open Hours
  • Monday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Tuesday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Wednesday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Thursday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Friday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Saturday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Sunday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
Call Us

(608) 417-8777

Intensive Outpatient Services (IOS)
Department Information
IOS offers treatment for adolescents who are struggling with a primary mental health diagnosis but do not require an inpatient hospitalization.
Open Hours
  • Monday: 7:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • Tuesday: 7:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • Wednesday: 7:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • Thursday: 7:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • Friday: 7:45 AM - 1:45 PM
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
Call Us

(608) 417-8773

24-Hour Crisis Line
Department Information
Emergencies: If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call 911.
Open Hours
  • Monday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Tuesday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Wednesday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Thursday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Friday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Saturday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
  • Sunday: 24 Hours - 24 Hours
Call Us

(608) 280-2600

Accreditation

The mental health and substance use disorder programs at UnityPoint Health – Meriter are certified by DNV and by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Division of Quality Assurance.

Payment and Insurance Information

Most insurance policies cover mental health services. If you have questions about your coverage, please contact your insurance provider.