Popularly known as rehab, a residential treatment center (RTC) is essentially a live-in healthcare facility offering therapy for behavioral problems such as addiction (whether behavioral and substance addiction ), eating disorders , and mental health problems. Typically, a residential treatment center will specialize in only one behavioral problem. Moreover, the methods of structure of residential treatment centers tend to vary from one RTC to the other. For instance, some are lock-in facilities, while others are unlocked facilities. The main difference between a lock-in facility and an unlocked facility is the former restricts patients' movement about the facility while the latter has no such restrictions, meaning patients can move about the facility or even leave the facility under special circumstances.
Additionally, RTCs generally tend to particular demographics such as adults, children, teens, or women. For example, teen rehab centers treat multiple conditions, including mental disorders and all forms of addiction . What's more, some residential treatment centers treat rare conditions such as RAD (reactive attachment disorder). It is important to note that residential treatment centers for children and teens are not residential education programs. More specifically, the latter caters to at-risk children, offering them an alternative environment to learn and live together outside their primary environments/homes. Depending on a patient's progress, RTC stays typically range anywhere from one month to more than six months. This relatively long, round-the-clock care treatment period allows RTCs to offer patients a higher level of care than therapy sessions alone, whether group, individual, or family therapy sessions.
Different Forms of Treatments Offered at RTCs
Virtually all residential treatment centers use some form of psychotherapy approach, ranging from evidence-based approaches such as Rogerian therapy, commonly known as person-centered therapy, to relatively new methods such as coherence therapy to popularly accepted, and theory-based approaches. The specific treatment approach varies depending on various factors, including the nature of the problem and the particular residential treatment center. More specifically, some RTCs may employ experimental therapy procedures such as structured physical activity, art therapy, or equine-assisted therapy. To improve a patient's quality of life and overall wellness, some RTCs employ alternative treatment techniques such as yoga therapy, massage therapy, meditation, and acupuncture .
To treat common behavioral problems in teenagers such as depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), educational issues, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, phase-of-life issues, and personality disorders, teen rehab centers use various therapy approaches including behavior modification paradigm, relational-cultural therapy, and a positive peer-culture approach. On the treatment program front, clients can choose either a generalist or a specialist program. Sometimes involving up to 250 patients at a time, a generalist program is a stepwise approach that focuses primarily on behavior modification . On the other hand, a typical specialist program involves no more 12 clients at a time and places little emphasis on behavior modification . Of course, irrespective of the therapy technique’s treatment program, the healing process should continue even after a patient leaves an RTC. Most treatment programs offer a combination of individual, group, and family therapy sessions.
Why That Type of Counseling Can Help Individuals and Families
Based mainly on counseling sessions, psychotherapy treatment is crucial because it helps to identify the root cause of compulsive behavior and addiction and helps patients overcome such behaviors. Still, for therapy to work, a patient may require more than one type of treatment. For example, a patient who abuses drugs due to PTSD ideally requires treatment for both drug abuse and PTSD. Of course, stability and consistency go a long way in improving treatment outcomes, and this is where residential treatment comes in handy.
More precisely, to support patients through the early stages of treatment, most RTCs offer carefully structured routines and schedules. These can continue after the residential treatment, allowing patients to manage their symptoms more effectively, minimize their risk of relapse, and maintain a sense of structure and safety. This is particularly important because everyday life demands can make it particularly challenging to focus on making healthy choices that promote personal growth . Because residential treatment programs prioritize personal growth , they help patients form and incorporate new habits into their lives. Consequently, patients can build a solid foundation for a rewarding life of sobriety and mental health.
Another considerable benefit of psychotherapy treatment is it promotes a sense of community. People suffering from mental health problems, addiction, and different forms of compulsive behaviors tend to isolate themselves from their loved ones, including their friends and family . In turn, this may cause such patients to feel sad, unloved, and lonely. Fortunately, residential treatment programs teach patients how to build and maintain quality relationships with their loved ones, allowing patients to overcome the aforementioned negative emotions. At the same time, group and family therapy sessions allow patients to share their experiences with their peers or families in a non-judgmental environment, fostering a sense of community. This is important because it will enable the treatment process to continue after a patient leaves a residential treatment center.
About Elevations RTC
If your loved one requires psychotherapy treatment, you should enroll him/her in a good residential treatment facility such as Elevations RTC . Located in Syracuse, Utah, Elevations RTC offers a co-ed residential treatment program primarily aimed at teenagers of all genders. The program helps patients overcome the challenges associated with emotional disorders, learning disorders, substance use, mental health problems, and other underlying problems. Elevations RTC staff consists of professional clinicians with relevant prior experience in this space.
Conclusion
Residential treatment centers primarily cater to patients suffering from addiction, mental disorders, and compulsive behaviors. Typically, different facilities specialize in various types of conditions, as well as diverse demographics. The methods of structure of residential treatment vary across the board. Their treatment programs typically involve some kind of psychotherapy approach primarily based on counseling sessions. Staffed by licensed therapists, residential treatment centers allow patients to address their mental, emotional, and behavioral needs more effectively.
My name is James K Meyer. I have been an entrepreneur and passionate blogger for over a decade, during which time I have written thousands of articles on my blog and many other publications. I write about Business, Health, Technology, Automobiles, Legal, Hospitality and much more. I am also an active contributer on Entrepreneur, Forbes, NYTimes.