The residential programs at Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services provide a stable environment for treatment for adolescents with an anticipated length of five (5) to seven (7) months. The programs serve adolescents age eleven (11) to nineteen (19) with one program serving adolescent females ages sixteen (16) to twenty (20). All recipients must have a DSM V psychiatric disorder that significantly interferes with their social, behavioral, and/or emotional functioning that cannot be safely treated at a lower level of care. This includes, Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or other diagnoses that interfere with daily functioning in a less restrictive setting or that create an imminent risk of harm for the recipient or others. The residential programs are not appropriate for individuals with a primary diagnosis of a Substance Use Disorder, Intellectual Disability, IQ scores under 70, individuals who are sexually reactive, individuals presenting with a primary physical disorder/medical need, or presenting with an organic brain disorder.

The programs emphasize the development of a strong therapeutic alliance and effective communication with family and other stakeholders. This is accomplished by maintaining low therapist caseloads, 24-hour unit staffing, and structured programming that focuses on a social, as opposed to a medical, model. The program includes Behavioral Management Planning through a points system, level system, and other reinforcers that encourages effort and compliance with treatment as prescribed by the Individual Service Plan (DHR) and treatment plan. Additionally, cognitive interventions applied through both individual, group, and family therapy concentrating on development of “life skills” to assist with the processing and management of strong emotions, identifying alternatives to acting out and high-risk behaviors, development of social skills and healthy relationships, and amelioration of symptoms related to the patient’s psychiatric diagnoses. Services include: assessment; treatment planning; individual, group, and family therapy; basic living skills training; adjunctive therapy (e.g. recreation, music, sports); reassessment; regular review and updates of treatment plans; medication management and administration; community outings; case management; and preparation for discharge that includes specific discharge plans.

The therapeutic modalities and activities seek to build the following skills:

• Anger Management
• Abuse/Neglect Recovery
• Establishing Positive Behaviors
• Relapse Prevention
• Conflict Resolution
• Boundaries
• Mood Maintenance
• Compulsory/Advanced Education

• Stress Management
• Participation
• Goal Setting
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Assertive Communication
• Job Readiness
• Basic Living Skills/Activities of Daily Living
• Community/Resource Orientation

Additionally, families and stakeholders involved in the patient’s treatment are encouraged to develop the above skills plus the following:

• Limit Setting
• Defining and Respecting Boundaries
• Enforcing Consequences
• Eliminating Enabling Behaviors
• Communicating Respect and Expectations
• Parenting Skills

The development of “life skills,” when combined with the behavioral management systems, cognitive interventions, and psychiatric care encourages progress toward permanence. It also promotes the development of a positive lifestyle that can replace dangerous or unhealthy behavioral patterns.

All residential staff are trained as recommended by the Alabama Department of Human Resources Minimum Standards for Residential Child Care Facilities. This includes training on psychotropic medications and the mental health and behavioral diagnoses served within the programs. Additionally, the programs are licensed or certified by the Alabama Department of Human Resources or the Alabama Department of Mental Health and The Joint Commission.

Structured Programs:

Structure is key in meeting mental health disorder treatment goals, as it builds healthy habits and a trusted routine. A few structured programs at our long term residential treatment center include: 

• Point and level systems
• Team competitions

Behavioral Health Residential Treatment and School:

Mental health treatment is important, but so is school. We offer a school/curriculum through Higdon Hill School that is designed to meet the educational needs of your child while they work on their mental health issues in our rehab program. 

Patient Education:

Part of the time in residential mental health treatment is educating patients on everything from breaking the stigma of mental illness and psychiatric hospitals to goal setting and stress management. 

A few of the way we educate patients include: 

• Stress management
• Social skills
• Daily living skills
• Goal setting
• Pastoral care

Family Therapy:

Residential treatment programs should include a patient’s family, and we understand that. We offer several ways to include family in the healing process, including: 

• Parenting support group
• Sessions with the therapist and patient

Recreation Program:

Many residential facilities include recreation programs, including ours. These programs are designed to help create a better, more well-rounded individual through expression and physical health. 

Some of these include: 

• Fitness
• Music
• Sports
• Art

Discharge Planning:

Discharge planning includes relapse prevention planning, with an option for families to continue participating in a parenting support group.

The program is designed for adolescents who do not require the intensity of an acute program but who are emotionally and behaviorally unable to function appropriately in the home and school environments. We provide a nurturing and therapeutic environment where clients are encouraged to gain awareness of their feelings, thoughts, needs and behaviors.

We take a psychosocial, family-oriented approach in nurturing and shaping adolescents and their families. This approach allows our patients to reach their full potential in coping with stress, developing intimacy and achieving success in life. When there is a lack of family involvement, the therapist will work with the respective social worker to involve appropriate relatives or guardians. A therapeutic, structured treatment program teaches our residents cooperation, negotiation and problem solving skills. As their skills progress, responsibility levels increase within their therapeutic community and family.

Clients can then take this awareness and channel it toward appropriate ways of coping. The family and adolescent are encouraged to be active participants in their treatment plan design and implementation.

Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services’ professional staff are here to help. Call 205-833-9000 or 800-292-8553 for a no-cost, confidential assessment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need immediate medical assistance, contact 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.