Residential mental health facilities, some focusing only on those under the age of 18, provide constant supervision to individuals. Types of residential mental health facilities include those operated by the State and those privately owned and operated.

Residential mental health facilities offer a variety of treatment programs. One's individual needs determine what type of treatment program they receive, as people may respond differently to the same type of treatment. Types of treatment can include alternative, electroconvulsive, biomedical and cognitive therapies.

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Alternative therapy

Alternative therapy, a somewhat controversial form of therapy, focuses on the interrelationship between the mind, body and spirit. Forms of alternative therapies include self-help groups where one can meet and discuss their issues and concerns with others and animal assisted therapies to help foster empathy and socialization skills.

I recommend: Refer to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services for more information on the various forms of alternative therapy.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is a controversial treatment that uses low voltage electrical stimulation to the brain to treat illnesses such as depression and some forms of schizophrenia. It is important to note that mental health professionals use this form of treatment only when other treatments prove unsuccessful.

I recommend: For more information on Electroconvulsive Therapy, refer to the MedHelp website.

Biomedical treatment

Biomedical therapies include psychopharmacology, which treats mental illness with medicine, electroconvulsive treatment, which involves the individual receiving low voltage electrical stimulation to the brain and psychosurgery, which entails brain surgery to sever neural pathways.

I recommend: One can reference PlanetPsych.com for more information on biomedical therapies.

Cognitive therapy

The objective of cognitive therapy is to refocus one's thinking from those negative and distorted thoughts, feelings or behaviors to those that are more positive. Problem solving and behavioral change are instrumental to the success of this treatment.

I recommend: For more information on cognitive therapy, refer to The Beck Institute website.

Interpersonal psychotherapy

Interpersonal psychotherapy is often a successful treatment for depression. The focus of interpersonal psychotherapy sessions is to address those issues (such as prolonged feelings of grief) that affect one's relationships with others and develop resolution to those issues in order to improve one's family, social and work environments. The mental health field considers interpersonal psychotherapy sessions as a short-term treatment program that may require a maintenance program upon completion of the initial program.

I recommend: For more information on interpersonal psychotherapy, refer to the University of Michigan Depression Center.

Crisis residential treatment services

Crisis residential treatment services provide support to children in an environment that is not sterile like typical hospital environments, but rather fosters family, culture and community. Services provided by crisis residential treatment services facilities include clinical services, such as individual, group and family therapy, medical services, such as psychiatric care and medication and therapeutic milieu, such as therapeutic arts and recreation, community involvement and behavior/emotional management.

I recommend: Refer to the Edgewood Center for Children and Families for more information on crisis residential treatment services.

Psychiatrists, physicians and counselors have more tools than ever at their disposal for finding mental health residential facilities where their patients can get inpatient treatment. From state hospitals offering state-supported mental health services to specialized inpatient psychiatric hospitals and substance abuse retreats, opportunities abound in the US for patients to get help.

Residential mental health hospitals come in a variety of treatment options and locations throughout the United States. It's crucial for you as a medical professional to ensure the best for your patients before suggesting a place for their treatment. For that reason, it's important to do the most thorough research possible into residential mental health facilities in your area. Before finalizing plans for your patients' residential mental health care, you should:

1. Find psychiatric residential facilities in the US that treat a wide variety of mental health issues for both civilians and veterans.

2. Secure public facilities for drug rehabilitation treatment for your patients who suffer from substance abuse illnesses.

3. Locate both local residential mental health facilities and specialized world-renowned treatment facilities in other states if you live in an area that doesn't have these types of services nearby.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search for residential mental health facilities in US states where your patient will be comfortable

The United States Department of Health and Human Services provides online map tools to search for residential mental health facilities in US States. Using these tools, you can search for state mental health hospitals that meet your patients' needs. There are specialized tools, too, for finding inpatient psychiatric hospital treatment for substance abuse issues and even specialized care for Veterans including post traumatic stress disorder and other issues that plague US Veterans.

I recommend: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides map search tools for mental health services and a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs offers a similar facilities locator tool enabling you to look up a residential psychiatric facility by zip code or by special need. The Agape Center offers a comprehensive listing of psychiatric hospitals and mental health centers across the US.

Find state-supported mental health residential facilities meet your patient's needs

Most states have at least one state hospital that is funded by government money. Regardless of where you live, you should be able to find a hospital within your state that offers quality healthcare for your patient.

I recommend: Use online tools like those available through Texas's Department of Health Services, the California Department of Mental Health and the Florida Department of Children and Families to find in state residential mental health facilities.

Look into more specialized private mental health residential facilities across the US

Finding the right inpatient psychiatric facility for patients with specific problems, from eating disorders to substance abuse problems, is critical. There are various private inpatient mental health facilities throughout the US that boast quality care for patients, starting with patients as young as 18.

I recommend: SLS Residential in Brewster, NY, offers a wide range of mental health services for young adult ages 18 to 26 and mature adults ages 27 and up. Sober Living by the Sea is located on the beautiful beaches of Orange County, CA, but despite its luxurious appearance it is a world-renowned treatment facility for a variety of specialized mental health and substance control problems. Fairwinds Treatment Center in FL is great for eating disorder recovery and deals well with dual diagnosis. The Saint Jude Retreat House in the Adirondack Mountains in NY boasts the highest independently verified success rate in the country for treatment of patients with substance abuse problems including cocaine, heroin, crystal meth and alcohol.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ensure that the residential mental health facility that you choose has a history of good dealings with insurance companies or other payment plans to avoid the headache of haggling with hospital administration about cost.