UnityPoint Health - Meriter - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Information
Number of patients waiting reflects the current number of patients waiting to be seen. This number changes frequently and is not exact.
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
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.
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
- 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
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
Intensive Outpatient Services
UnityPoint Health - Meriter - Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Intensive Outpatient Services offers treatment for adolescents struggling with a primary diagnosis of either depression and/or anxiety, but do not require inpatient hospitalization.
Please note that Meriter Intensive Outpatient Services 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.
Meriter Intensive Outpatient Services currently consists of an Intensive Outpatient Program and a Partial Hospitalization Program, which differ primarily by required level of care, ages treated, time commitment, and content.
Intensive Outpatient Services Program Information
Both Intensive Outpatient Programs are based on are based on the HEALTH model, which encourages participants and their families to improve their overall wellness, increase community involvement, and gain important life skills.
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
Once we have your referral, we will reach out to you to schedule a screening appointment. At this appointment, we will discuss the program more in-depth and gather information to help decide if the program would be the best fit.
Intensive Outpatient Services Program Types
Our Intensive Outpatient Program is a lower level-of-care program that currently focuses on developing skills related to transitioning to adulthood.
- Ages treated: 15-18 years of age.
- Time Commitment: 3-4 hours daily, Monday-Friday.
- Daily group therapy.
- Daily life skills groups (budgeting, finance, health care advocacy, applying for college, looking at careers, etc.).
- One hour of individual therapy and one hour of family therapy weekly.
- Weekly check-in with a psychiatrist.
- Case Management (School, outpatient care, etc.).
Our Partial Hospitalization Program is a higher level-of-care program that focuses on utilizing Dialectical Behavior Therapy to develop skills to help regulate emotions and cope with stress.
- Ages treated: 12-18 years of age.
- Time Commitment: 6 hours daily, Monday-Friday.
- Daily group therapy.
- One hour of individual therapy and one hour of family therapy weekly.
- Weekly check-in with a psychiatrist.
- Case Management (school, outpatient care, etc.).
Referrals
Referral must be completed by a therapist, psychiatrist, case manager or PCP. Parents and guardians cannot make 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
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.
CAP Department Information
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
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Department Information
IOS offers an intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization program for adolescents with a primary diagnosis of either depression and/or anxiety but do not require an inpatient hospitalization.Open Hours
- Monday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
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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
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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.
