What is Inpatient Treatment?
Inpatient treatment, also referred to as residential treatment, provides around-the-clock care to teens in a safe and supportive environment focused on stabilization. Inpatient is an ideal option for teens struggling with substance abuse disorders or severe mental health challenges where their health or safety is at risk.
Most teen inpatient treatment programs last anywhere from 30 to 90 days, and involve a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, medication management, and recreational activities.
At Clearfork, we offer tailored treatment plans to address the underlying causes of depression in youth. The focus of our treatment programs is to help teens learn the skills and mechanisms to help them lead a happy and hopeful life with a bright future. Guided by a clinical team that prioritizes the health and safety of your teen, we track progress and measure outcomes to adjust treatment plans as necessary.
Differences Between Inpatient Care and Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient care is a 24/7 facility where teens live for anywhere from a few weeks to several months. A typical day in depression inpatient treatment often includes individual therapy, group counseling, academic support, fitness & recreation, faith-based activities, and time for rest and reflection. Outpatient care, on the other hand, is much more flexible, and teens continue to attend treatment while living at home. At Cleafork, we offer inpatient treatment for depression, as well as several outpatient care options.
Inpatient/Residential Care
Our residential treatment program is designed to care for teens suffering from major depression or bipolar depression and presenting with moderate to severe symptoms such as substance abuse, suicidal ideation, or psychosis. It is typically not the first line of treatment for teens with mild depression.
Inpatient treatment for teens provides safety and stabilization. Teens in inpatient care for depression may require medication monitoring and intensive therapy to address low self-esteem, shame, or suicidal thoughts.
With healthcare professionals on-site at all times, you can be sure your teen will be safe during their time at Clearfork. Our staff is trained in crisis intervention and suicide prevention to provide immediate care if necessary.
Outpatient Programs: PHP/IOP/Virtual
Outpatient programs vary in their structure and intensity, but are often best suited for teens who have mild to moderate depression or who are transitioning out of inpatient care. All of our outpatient programs provide the same access to therapies and social/peer support as inpatient care.
The main difference is that teens return home in the evenings and have more flexible treatment schedules. Our outpatient programs at Clearfork include:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) offers a high-intensity level of outpatient care, ideal for teens recently transitioning out of residential treatment or those needing daily support. It runs five days a week, six hours each day on campus, providing daily group therapy, weekly individual therapy, and biweekly family therapy. After PHP, teens can step down to less intensive programs like IOP or VIOP.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides moderate support with a flexible schedule, suited for teens who require structure but can stay in school or at home. IOP meets 3 to 5 days a week for 3 hours per session, offering daily group therapy along with weekly individual and biweekly family therapy. Teens can transition between IOP and higher or lower levels of care as needed.
Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (VIOP) delivers structured outpatient support entirely online via our secure HIPAA-compliant platform, ideal for teens needing structured care from home. It operates three days a week with three to four-hour sessions in the afternoon or evening, including group therapy 3x a week, plus weekly individual and biweekly family therapy. VIOP allows stepping up to in-person IOP or PHP if needed.
Signs Your Teen May Need Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient care is typically not the first line of treatment for teen depression unless they are struggling with behaviors that put their safety at risk, such as self-harm, substance abuse, and suicidal thinking.
Inpatient may also be recommended if your teen is already attending outpatient treatment and showing no signs of improvement. Some of the signs your teen could benefit from inpatient care include:
- Severe and ongoing mood swings that disrupt daily functioning
- Total withdrawal from family, friends, and social activities
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts indicate the need for 24/7 supervision and safety
- Drug or alcohol use often requires specialized dual diagnosis treatment
- Inability to attend school, complete daily responsibilities, or practice basic self-care
- Dangerous or delinquent behaviors such as theft, vandalism, or violence
- Clinical recommendation from a doctor or therapist for inpatient treatment due to symptom severity or complexity
Stay mindful of the warning signs to recognize if your teen needs clinical support. If you believe your teen is in danger of hurting themselves or others, seek immediate help by calling 911 or contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support available 24/7 by phone, text, or chat. Staying connected to professional care can save lives and provide critical crisis intervention.
Therapeutic Approaches at Clearfork Academy for Depression Treatment
We provide tailored treatment plans to address the underlying causes of depression in your teen, combining evidence-based therapies, medication monitoring, and faith-based, holistic support. Our focus is to help them develop the skill set to overcome life’s challenges and end the cycle of negative thinking so they can find renewed joy in life.
As part of our therapeutic care, we offer individual therapy and group therapy, allowing patients to learn from and grow with one another and build support groups with other children and adolescents.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a first line of treatment for depression offered throughout all of our levels of care. It focuses on challenging negative thoughts, building a toolbox of positive coping skills, and setting goals for in and outside of treatment.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
DBT can support recovery from depression by teaching teens how to process and regulate emotions such as anger, shame, and loneliness. Our DBT therapist teaches teens how to foster mindfulness, regulate their emotions, manage distress, and strengthen their relationships.
Trauma-Informed Care
Our residential treatment center understands the complex nature of trauma in teens and advocates for promoting a sense of safety and trust across our behavioral health campuses. Clearfork staff is trained in the principles of trauma-informed care, including safety, transparency, and collaboration to empower teens to grow into healthy, happy young adults.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
TBRI is a trauma-informed, attachment-based model that helps parents understand and meet the needs of vulnerable youth affected by trauma. It provides caregivers with practical tools for connecting with their teens and addressing their physical and emotional needs. It also provides effective strategies for correcting challenging or destructive behaviors.
Psychiatric Medication
Our clinical psychiatric team can provide medication as necessary, such as antidepressants, SSRIs, which can help manage thoughts of suicide and other symptoms of depression, such as lack of appetite, mood regulation, and sleep.
Holistic Healing Activities
Our holistic therapies, such as music and art, encourage teens with depression to pick up a creative skill and redirect negative thoughts into something more positive. Adventure therapies get teens outside and connected to nature, helping to relieve anxiety and foster a positive, emotional well-being.
Benefits of Inpatient Care for Teenage Depression
✔Provides a safe, structured environment away from daily stressors or triggers, allowing teens to focus fully on their recovery.
✔24/7 mental health support and access to on-site medical care to provide immediate crisis interventions if necessary.
✔Intense, evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy, are often meeting weekly or even daily.
✔It can drastically reduce severe symptoms of depression, including suicidal ideation, co-occurring anxiety, psychosis, or self-harm.
✔Helps teens get on the right medication if necessary, with psychiatric monitoring and evaluations, complementing psychosocial interventions for a more comprehensive healing experience.
FAQ: Teenage Depression Treatment Program Details
Below are some commonly asked questions about the inpatient experience for teens at Clearfork Academy. Don’t see your question below? Contact us directly to speak with a dedicated admissions coordinator for more information.
Inpatient treatment lengths are based entirely on your teen and their specific care needs. Some teens may only need a week or two in inpatient to overcome crisis situations and get stabilized before transitioning to PHP or IOP.
Inpatient treatment is necessary when symptoms of depression become dangerous and debilitating, or if outpatient treatment has not been effective. For example, if your teen is struggling with self-harm and is making threats of suicide, inpatient care may be necessary to provide crisis and safety interventions.
In some instances, teens who are attending outpatient treatment may be recommended by their therapist for inpatient treatment if they believes the teen is a danger to themselves or others.
During residential inpatient treatment teens live in gender separate campuses with access to 24/7 medical care, clinical therapeutic support, nutritiously prepared meals, academic support, creative arts therapies, and outdoor recreation.
Inpatient care is a 24/7 facility where teens live for anywhere from a few weeks to several months. A typical day in an inpatient often includes individual therapy, group counseling, academic support, fitness & recreation, faith-based activities, and time for rest and reflection. Outpatient care, on the other hand, is much more flexible, and teens continue to attend treatment while living at home.
Support can come in many different forms, but a key aspect is to ensure that they feel validated in their struggle and that you are someone who can support them and get the help they need. If they are worried about speaking to us, we have a number of testimonials available to them that they may find encouraging.
After inpatient treatment, our care coordination team ensure a seamless transition for your teen into a lower level of care such as PHP or IOP. Clearfork offers a full continuum of care, connecting with our teens long after they leave treatment to ensure their ongoing recovery.
From the first call, the admissions team will guide you through intake, helping assess your teen’s clinical, academic, and medical needs. They will also verify your insurance. Throughout treatment, you’ll receive ongoing updates and collaborate with staff to ensure the best outcomes for your teen’s recovery journey.
It is possible to treat some teens’ depression without medication, especially in younger patients and pediatric patients.
However, antidepressant medications should not be dismissed. They can deter suicidal thinking and self-harm and reduce the severity of symptoms of adolescent depression. This may be necessary with manic depressive illness.
Help Your Teen Find Joy & Renewed Purpose
If you’re a parent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you know this region isn’t just a growing metroplex — it’s our community. And it’s our mission to keep it safe for local Texas youth. When it comes to depression, getting your teen into treatment can make all the difference. Contact our admissions team at Clearfork Academy today.
