Residential Treatment Program for Young Children in Missouri

Children have specific developmental needs that influence the way they learn and grow, and these needs change throughout the various stages of their lives. Because they are in an early stage of their development, children may not exhibit the symptoms of a mental health challenge in the same way adolescents or adults do.

At Lakeland Behavioral Health System, we understand how a child’s developmental stage can influence the way mental health concerns affect them. If they are experiencing severe symptoms that interfere with their ability to live a healthy and fulfilling life, they may require a more specialized level of care that gives them the time and space they need to truly focus on their wellness.

The Discovery Program at our facility in Springfield, Missouri, provides residential care to children ages 6-10 who are in need of an intensive level of support to help them succeed at home, in school, and within their communities. Our expert staff is specially trained to provide the most effective age-appropriate therapeutic interventions for children who have suffered from abuse, neglect, or other trauma, as well as those who are struggling with self-harm, regulating their emotions, or reactive attachment disorder.

Most children receive care in the Discovery Program at Lakeland Behavioral Health System for four to six months, although that timeline is entirely dependent on their individual needs. Our compassionate staff works closely with each child to deliver the most beneficial therapies that help them achieve the best outcomes possible.

In our Discovery Program, we employ developmentally appropriate, evidence-based therapies built on a foundation of widely recognized and accepted principles. Because we understand that healing from a mental health concern is an individual process, our professional staff creates a personalized treatment plan for every child who comes to us seeking improvement for their mental health and wellness.

Of the many highly effective treatment modalities we use when working with young children, play therapy is one of the primary ways we help kids start to express and process the issues they are struggling with. Depending on your child’s specific needs, other modalities we may use include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), behavior modification, and music therapy.

Because we tailor each child’s care plan to their specific needs, we use a combination of several treatment options depending on your child’s unique needs and recovery goals, including:

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Medication management
• Basic medical care

Daily psychotherapy groups cover various topics, including trauma, anger, aggression, abuse, neglect, making good choices in daily life, and regulating emotions. Weekly individual therapy sessions offer your child a one-on-one opportunity with their therapist to continue their recovery process and discuss any topics they might not have felt comfortable bringing up during group therapy. We also encourage you and your child to participate in weekly family therapy sessions to help you start to mend any bonds that might have been damaged because of the behaviors associated with the mental health challenge they’ve been struggling with.

If our team has determined that your child may benefit from medication as a part of their multidisciplinary treatment plan during their time at our facility in Springfield, Missouri, a psychiatrist will meet with them each week to manage their medication needs and assess its efficacy. We also have a medical doctor, registered nurses (RNs), and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on staff to monitor your child’s health and provide basic medical interventions when necessary.

Lakeland Behavioral Health System is proud to provide comprehensive residential care to children ages 6-10 who seek support through our Discovery Program. We are able to accept children who have been struggling with mental health concerns such as:

• Reactive attachment disorder (RAD)
• Emotional dysregulation
• Self-harm
• Anger
• Abuse, neglect, or other forms of trauma

This is not a comprehensive list of the mental health challenges that we treat in the Discovery Program at our facility in Springfield, Missouri. We may be able to address other mental health concerns as well, depending on the nature and severity of the symptoms your child is exhibiting. 

We make all admissions decisions on a case-by-case basis after a comprehensive assessment of each child’s individual needs. Our expert staff will review your child’s medical and treatment history, symptoms, challenges, and goals for recovery before any therapies or services begin. 

If you think your child might benefit from care at Lakeland Behavioral Health System, our resource coordinators and care support specialists are available 24/7 to begin the assessment process and determine if the Discovery Program is the right fit for your child’s mental health needs. 

Our on-site assessment specialists are also available 24/7 to answer any questions you might have about residential care for children ages 6-10 in our Discovery Program. Please call our toll-free number so that we can help assess your child’s needs and help you make the best decision for your family.