Intensive Treatment for Behavioral Issues

Portrait of smiling young man outdoors
The RISE program at Alabama Clinical Schools is designed to help males age 13-18 who are struggling with severe mental illness after multiple unsuccessful attempts, early discharge, or denied admission to other programs. The severity of their illness might be manifesting in the forms of disrespect of authority, destruction of property, poor self-esteem and more. Our program provides a highly structured and secure environment that promotes behavioral stabilization, positive relationship building, and new learning experiences. This psychiatric treatment program utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) to help young men change thinking patterns, emotions, and behavioral responses to interrupt patterns. Our clinical staff will put together an Individual Service Plan (ISP), and an Individual Educational Program (IEP), tailored to client needs to provide them with the most optimal plan for rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is to reunite patients with their families or move them to a less restrictive community setting.

Treatment Approach

Our staff combines several therapy modalities to address both behavioral, social and psychiatric needs of the young men in our program. Masters-level therapists and psychiatrists use individual and group therapy sessions to help the boys in the program identify personal triggers that enable offense cycles, and develop new strategies and coping mechanisms to build self-control. In RISE treatment, a visible daily schedule will be provided to clients to help provide consistency and structure, offering a model of how to manage a stable environment, how to perform routine tasks, and how to manage time effectively. Schedules include time for daily chores, homework, community/daily living activities, structured recreation, social skills training, group/individual therapy, and educational opportunities.

Family Involvement

We want families to fully participate in treatment planning. We will ask for, and host, ISP and IEP meetings and updates for families and referring providers (as necessary) to keep them up to date on patient progress and to plan for eventual discharge. Help with meals and transportation can be offered when this will improve family involvement. Our best allies in this process will be the family members who regularly attend “Family Impact,” a family therapy event involving the family members of clients. Some family members continue to attend, even when their family member seeking treatment has discharged. It continues to provide value for them, offering up additional resources for continued care.

Education

Year-round schooling is an integral part of the residential treatment program at Alabama Clinical Schools. We offer onsite education with special education teachers who provide students with appropriate accommodations that meet their specific needs and academic goals. Traditional classroom models are combined with recreational therapy and vocational training to provide a holistic experience for each student in our care. Learn more about Educational Programming.

Program Eligibility

RISE program participants will have a DSM-IVR diagnosis within the range of 290-316 or have otherwise been identified by a mental health professional as having serious mental illness and behavioral problems. Treatment from other programs was not successful due to the severity of their behaviors. Alternatively, these children might have been receiving mental and behavioral health care out of state. Children or teens who present with a primary problem of sexual aggression or sexual reactivity cannot be served through RISE. Adolescents who are actively suicidal and/or homicidal or show symptoms of uncontrolled psychosis will not be immediately eligible for the program, but we will work with families and providers to find appropriate treatment. All RISE placements will first be submitted for approval to DHR, Family Services, and the Division of Resource Management. A Certificate of Need will be obtained before placement.

Intensive Treatment for Behavioral Issues

Portrait of smiling young man outdoors

The RISE program at Alabama Clinical Schools is designed to help males age 13-18 who are struggling with severe mental illness after multiple unsuccessful attempts, early discharge, or denied admission to other programs. The severity of their illness might be manifesting in the forms of disrespect of authority, destruction of property, poor self-esteem and more. Our program provides a highly structured and secure environment that promotes behavioral stabilization, positive relationship building, and new learning experiences. This psychiatric treatment program utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) to help young men change thinking patterns, emotions, and behavioral responses to interrupt patterns. Our clinical staff will put together an Individual Service Plan (ISP), and an Individual Educational Program (IEP), tailored to client needs to provide them with the most optimal plan for rehabilitation. The ultimate goal is to reunite patients with their families or move them to a less restrictive community setting.

Treatment Approach

Our staff combines several therapy modalities to address both behavioral, social and psychiatric needs of the young men in our program. Masters-level therapists and psychiatrists use individual and group therapy sessions to help the boys in the program identify personal triggers that enable offense cycles, and develop new strategies and coping mechanisms to build self-control. In RISE treatment, a visible daily schedule will be provided to clients to help provide consistency and structure, offering a model of how to manage a stable environment, how to perform routine tasks, and how to manage time effectively. Schedules include time for daily chores, homework, community/daily living activities, structured recreation, social skills training, group/individual therapy, and educational opportunities.

Family Involvement

We want families to fully participate in treatment planning. We will ask for, and host, ISP and IEP meetings and updates for families and referring providers (as necessary) to keep them up to date on patient progress and to plan for eventual discharge. Help with meals and transportation can be offered when this will improve family involvement. Our best allies in this process will be the family members who regularly attend “Family Impact,” a family therapy event involving the family members of clients. Some family members continue to attend, even when their family member seeking treatment has discharged. It continues to provide value for them, offering up additional resources for continued care.

Education

Year-round schooling is an integral part of the residential treatment program at Alabama Clinical Schools. We offer onsite education with special education teachers who provide students with appropriate accommodations that meet their specific needs and academic goals. Traditional classroom models are combined with recreational therapy and vocational training to provide a holistic experience for each student in our care. Learn more about Educational Programming.

Program Eligibility

RISE program participants will have a DSM-IVR diagnosis within the range of 290-316 or have otherwise been identified by a mental health professional as having serious mental illness and behavioral problems. Treatment from other programs was not successful due to the severity of their behaviors. Alternatively, these children might have been receiving mental and behavioral health care out of state. Children or teens who present with a primary problem of sexual aggression or sexual reactivity cannot be served through RISE. Adolescents who are actively suicidal and/or homicidal or show symptoms of uncontrolled psychosis will not be immediately eligible for the program, but we will work with families and providers to find appropriate treatment. All RISE placements will first be submitted for approval to DHR, Family Services, and the Division of Resource Management. A Certificate of Need will be obtained before placement.

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We’re Always Here to Help

Licensed mental health professionals are available 24/7 to schedule a no-cost, mental health assessments by calling 205-836-9923. For questions about our programs, you can also use our online contact form. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.