Northwestern Medicine offers a complete course of specialized inpatient and outpatient care and rehabilitation, tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18. Through focused services and structured programs, specially trained professionals help teens solve problems and return to daily life at home and school.

An individualized approach

Northwestern Medicine has the focused resources teens need to battle emotional health issues, including specialized inpatient and outpatient services and skilled, sensitive care from licensed behavioral health professionals who are specially trained to work with young people.

Individual attention is the cornerstone of the Northwestern Medicine approach. Teens often work one-on-one with a counselor, in addition to participating in group and family therapy sessions. As an added benefit, a certified teacher acts as a liaison, working with your teen’s school to meet educational needs during treatment.

Issues treated

Northwestern Medicine offers a full range of care tailored to the unique needs of adolescents who are facing issues, such as:

• Depression, bipolar disorder
• Anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder
• School avoidance behaviors
• Self-harming behaviors
• Trauma-related disorders
• Grief and loss issues
• Family crises

Outpatient care

Northwestern Medicine has an array of options in outpatient care to help your teen face emotional or secondary substance abuse issues. Programs are offered at Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health Services facilities in Winfield, Wheaton and St. Charles, Illinois, including:

• The Adolescent Partial Hospital Day Program: Available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am–3:30 pm
• The Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program: Available Monday through Friday for half-day sessions

Inpatient care

If your teen needs immediate attention for a serious or sudden emotional problem, Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital offers short-term inpatient care on our secure Adolescent Psychiatric Unit.¹

Personalized treatment: a team approach

The Adolescent Psychiatric Unit offers personalized care from psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and licensed therapists on staff at Central DuPage Hospital (CDH). These specialists work closely to address your teen’s problem and develop goals that will lead to a successful recovery plan. Therapists on the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit coordinate care and are the primary contact for teens and their families.

A full circle of care and support

Inpatient treatment gives teens the resources to move toward wellness, including individual, family and group therapy. After discharge, your teen will continue treatment in an outpatient setting to support recovery.

Confidential and compassionate

Patient dignity and confidentiality are a priority at Northwestern Medicine, and our staff is committed to treating you and your teen with respect and protecting your privacy.

School avoidance track

When a young person avoids school or has trouble staying in school, anxiety, depression, fear and other issues could be underlying causes. The School Avoidance Track offers customized solutions to help your child cope with problems, change behaviors and return to regular school attendance. The first step is a comprehensive evaluation by a Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health professional.

Specific issues contributing to school avoidance may include:

• Peer relationships and bullying
• Family issues
• Anxiety and depression triggered by attending school
• Performance anxiety
• Learning problems

Treatment plans may include:

• Individual and group therapy
• Anxiety management techniques
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Relaxation skills
• Mindfulness
• Social skills
• Exposure therapy
• Family therapy
• Psychiatric care
• Collaboration with school staff to coordinate school resources
• Re-entry into school
• Discharge planning

Pediatric Behavioral Health

If your child has a developmental or behavioral issue, delay or disorder, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital² offers the latest advances in evaluations and therapies to help your child reach for the highest level of potential possible. Learn more about Pediatric Behavioral Health services.

Is someone hurting you?

• Child Abuse Hotline: 1.800.25.ABUSE (252.2873)
• National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 866.331.9474 (TTY 711)
• National Suicide Hotline: 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
• Lake County Crisis: 847.377.8088
• Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide ( L.O.S.S.): 312.655.7283