Psychiatrists provide supervision and consultation to nursing and clinical staff as well as ongoing diagnostic evaluation and treatment of patients. At times, medication is a useful addition to the overall treatment of the emotional problem and its symptoms. Psychiatrists, who prescribe medication, provide close monitoring and medication management through the use of nursing staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Patients attend the accredited Millcreek School five days a week to receive educational services with one of Millcreek’s certified teachers. Using information obtained in the educational assessment, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) is formulated to outline and assist in achieving educational goals.

Patients are assigned a primary clinical therapist to address individual treatment needs. Mental health therapy provided includes a mixture of individual, group, and family therapy throughout treatment in PRTF. Using CBT therapy techniques which are appropriate to the age and abilities of the patient, the clinical therapist works with the patient to develop insight, correct distorted thinking patterns, and achieve behavioral change through positive personality growth and development.

Patients have a regular daily schedule that includes mealtime, school, homework, exercise and play, therapeutic activities and groups, personal hygiene, and bedtime. Through the use of a therapeutic community, a patient’s specific living difficulties become apparent and the staff can evaluate and appropriately address them as they occur.

Behavior Management for disturbing behavior is provided by staff through the use of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), an intervention model developed through the research of Cornell University. All staff is trained in the crisis prevention and intervention model which is designed to teach staff how to effectively help children learn constructive ways to handle crisis in their lives. Patients are also provided with incentives for positive behavior in which the patient can earn special privileges.

Patients have a daily opportunity to participate in recreation and leisure activities on and off the cottage under the supervision of staff members. This is in recognition of the child’s need for recreational time and the opportunity to observe his/her interaction spontaneously with peers.