Mental Health Treatment | Bradley Hospital
Source: http://www.bradleyhospital.org/parents-guide/mental-health-treatment
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:14
Mental Health Treatment | Bradley Hospital
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Mental Health Treatment
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Mental Health Treatment
Treatment for mental health issues varies depending on the type and severity of the issue. When a mental healthcare provider makes a diagnosis, they evaluate the degree to which the particular illness is affecting your child in order to recommend appropriate treatment. However, there are certain levels and types of treatment that may be helpful for you to understand as you advocate for the best care for your child.
This section describes:
Different levels of treatment
for your child, from emergency services to outpatient care
Different types of treatment:
Psychotherapy
Trainings
Medications
Learn more about common mental health diagnoses
Treating the Child, Not the Diagnosis
For most medical problems, a diagnosis leads to proper and effective treatment. For children affected by a mental illness, however, a diagnosis may not always lead to a specific and effective treatment.
In order to properly treat a child, a provider needs to look beyond the diagnosis and take into account how a child functions in heir family, school, peer group, and community. Some things to consider (and make sure your provider is considering):
Mental illnesses exist on a continuum. A continuum means that there are different levels of severity for each mental illness. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe and are usually not the same for each child. Children with the same illness may not act the same, show the same signs and symptoms, or need the same treatment. In fact, treatment options for a mental illness will vary depending on how mild or severe the symptoms are.
Children with a mental illness are still children, which means they are constantly developing, growing, and changing. Because of this, treating children with a mental illness requires a different approach. Children will need to be re-evaluated as they develop.
A child may get diagnosed and treated for one illness, when in fact they have more than one illness. Or perhaps they do not even have the originally diagnosed illness, but a completely different one.
For all these reasons, it is important to treat the child, rather than just the diagnosis!
Many other types of treatment are available besides those listed in this guide. The ones listed here are evidence-based treatments, meaning they have been studied extensively and proven to work. This does not mean that other treatments may not work for your child. However, it is important to be extremely cautious in choosing alternative treatments for your child. Always do your homework and talk to your child’s treatment providers. Some of these treatments don’t work, can interact with your child’s other treatments, or even worse, can be harmful to your child.
Text
Sometimes, there is no way to prepare for a crisis. However, if you are working with a mental health specialist, part of your treatment should include a plan for what to do in an emergency.
Bradley Hospital
About Bradley Hospital
Our History
Bradley Hospital Executive Leadership
Nursing at Bradley Hospital
Educational Partnerships
Nurse Residency Programs
Nursing Leadership
Psychiatric Nursing
The DAISY Award
Commitment to the Community
Bradley Hospital Facts and Statistics
Map, Directions, Parking and Volunteer Information
Bradley Hospital in the News
For Parents and Caregivers
Planning Your Visit
Your Child's Stay
Support Services
MyChart Patient Portal
Rights and Responsibilities
Rhode Island Mental Health Law: Patient Rights
Confidentiality Policy
For Families and Friends
While You're Here
Family Advisory Council
Support and Therapy Groups
Family Liaison Program
Nutrition: What We Offer
Making Connections
Animal Therapy at Bradley Hospital
Parenting Resources
Online Parent Support Groups
Resources for Parents
Resources for Veteran and Military Families
Children's Behavioral Health Resources
Insurance and Billing
Cost of Care
Programs and Levels of Care
Mindcast: Healthy Mind, Healthy Child Podcast
Parents Guide to Children's Mental Health
Defining Mental Health
Getting Help for Your Child
How to Find Help for Your Child
Crisis Situations with Children and Teens
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
Early Child Development Issues
Overactivity and Inattentiveness
Extreme Anger or Irritability
Extreme Defiance
Learning Problems
Speech and Language Problems
Drug or Alchohol Use
Extreme Anxiety or Fear
Extreme Sadness and Despair
Eating and Body Image Concerns
Self-Injurious Behaviors
Child Abuse
Psychosis
Early Child Development
Talking to Your Child's Pediatrician
Mental Health Evaluations
ADHD Evaluation
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
Developmental Evaluation
Educational Evaluation
Feeding Evaluation
Neuro-Psychological Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Psychotherapy Evaluation
Speech-Language Evaluation
Common Mental Health Diagnoses
Paying for Mental Healthcare
Mental Health Support
You and Your Support Team
Advocacy Organizations
Health Insurance Care Managers
Mental Health Specialists
Mental Health Hospitals and Community Mental Health Centers
Medical Hospitals and Health Centers
Early Childhood Services
The School System
Accessing Special Education
Preparing for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meeting
State Agencies
Community and Non-Profit Organizations
Coordinating Your Child's Care
Transitioning to Adulthood
Talking to Your Employer
Maternal Depression
Mental Health Treatment
Levels of Care: Explained
Psychotherapy
Trainings
Medications
Parenting Articles and Tips
Knowing When to Seek Help for Your Child
Understanding Your Child's Temperament
Building Your Child's Self-Esteem
Peer Relations
Getting Your Child to Sleep
Problems After a Traumatic Event
Talking With Your Child After a Traumatic Event
Bradley Hospital Social Work and Counseling
Patient Stories
Meet Alex
Meet Jordan
Patient Story: Meet Jack
Resources for Families
Giving to Bradley Hospital
Ways to Give
Trustees & Governors
Development Team
Philanthropy & Grant News
Bravo Bradley
Planned Giving
2025 Honor Roll of Supporters
Christopher Benedick Adopt a Family Program
With Gratitude: Patient Stories
AJ's Story
Lucas's story
Izzy's Story
Nathan's story
Profiles in Giving
Publications & Videos
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Skip to main content
Search for Resources & Information
Mental Health Treatment
URL COPIED!
Mental Health Treatment
Treatment for mental health issues varies depending on the type and severity of the issue. When a mental healthcare provider makes a diagnosis, they evaluate the degree to which the particular illness is affecting your child in order to recommend appropriate treatment. However, there are certain levels and types of treatment that may be helpful for you to understand as you advocate for the best care for your child.
This section describes:
Different levels of treatment
for your child, from emergency services to outpatient care
Different types of treatment:
Psychotherapy
Trainings
Medications
Learn more about common mental health diagnoses
Treating the Child, Not the Diagnosis
For most medical problems, a diagnosis leads to proper and effective treatment. For children affected by a mental illness, however, a diagnosis may not always lead to a specific and effective treatment.
In order to properly treat a child, a provider needs to look beyond the diagnosis and take into account how a child functions in heir family, school, peer group, and community. Some things to consider (and make sure your provider is considering):
Mental illnesses exist on a continuum. A continuum means that there are different levels of severity for each mental illness. Signs and symptoms can range from mild to severe and are usually not the same for each child. Children with the same illness may not act the same, show the same signs and symptoms, or need the same treatment. In fact, treatment options for a mental illness will vary depending on how mild or severe the symptoms are.
Children with a mental illness are still children, which means they are constantly developing, growing, and changing. Because of this, treating children with a mental illness requires a different approach. Children will need to be re-evaluated as they develop.
A child may get diagnosed and treated for one illness, when in fact they have more than one illness. Or perhaps they do not even have the originally diagnosed illness, but a completely different one.
For all these reasons, it is important to treat the child, rather than just the diagnosis!
Many other types of treatment are available besides those listed in this guide. The ones listed here are evidence-based treatments, meaning they have been studied extensively and proven to work. This does not mean that other treatments may not work for your child. However, it is important to be extremely cautious in choosing alternative treatments for your child. Always do your homework and talk to your child’s treatment providers. Some of these treatments don’t work, can interact with your child’s other treatments, or even worse, can be harmful to your child.
Text
Sometimes, there is no way to prepare for a crisis. However, if you are working with a mental health specialist, part of your treatment should include a plan for what to do in an emergency.
Bradley Hospital
About Bradley Hospital
Our History
Bradley Hospital Executive Leadership
Nursing at Bradley Hospital
Educational Partnerships
Nurse Residency Programs
Nursing Leadership
Psychiatric Nursing
The DAISY Award
Commitment to the Community
Bradley Hospital Facts and Statistics
Map, Directions, Parking and Volunteer Information
Bradley Hospital in the News
For Parents and Caregivers
Planning Your Visit
Your Child's Stay
Support Services
MyChart Patient Portal
Rights and Responsibilities
Rhode Island Mental Health Law: Patient Rights
Confidentiality Policy
For Families and Friends
While You're Here
Family Advisory Council
Support and Therapy Groups
Family Liaison Program
Nutrition: What We Offer
Making Connections
Animal Therapy at Bradley Hospital
Parenting Resources
Online Parent Support Groups
Resources for Parents
Resources for Veteran and Military Families
Children's Behavioral Health Resources
Insurance and Billing
Cost of Care
Programs and Levels of Care
Mindcast: Healthy Mind, Healthy Child Podcast
Parents Guide to Children's Mental Health
Defining Mental Health
Getting Help for Your Child
How to Find Help for Your Child
Crisis Situations with Children and Teens
Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Issues
Early Child Development Issues
Overactivity and Inattentiveness
Extreme Anger or Irritability
Extreme Defiance
Learning Problems
Speech and Language Problems
Drug or Alchohol Use
Extreme Anxiety or Fear
Extreme Sadness and Despair
Eating and Body Image Concerns
Self-Injurious Behaviors
Child Abuse
Psychosis
Early Child Development
Talking to Your Child's Pediatrician
Mental Health Evaluations
ADHD Evaluation
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
Developmental Evaluation
Educational Evaluation
Feeding Evaluation
Neuro-Psychological Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Psychotherapy Evaluation
Speech-Language Evaluation
Common Mental Health Diagnoses
Paying for Mental Healthcare
Mental Health Support
You and Your Support Team
Advocacy Organizations
Health Insurance Care Managers
Mental Health Specialists
Mental Health Hospitals and Community Mental Health Centers
Medical Hospitals and Health Centers
Early Childhood Services
The School System
Accessing Special Education
Preparing for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meeting
State Agencies
Community and Non-Profit Organizations
Coordinating Your Child's Care
Transitioning to Adulthood
Talking to Your Employer
Maternal Depression
Mental Health Treatment
Levels of Care: Explained
Psychotherapy
Trainings
Medications
Parenting Articles and Tips
Knowing When to Seek Help for Your Child
Understanding Your Child's Temperament
Building Your Child's Self-Esteem
Peer Relations
Getting Your Child to Sleep
Problems After a Traumatic Event
Talking With Your Child After a Traumatic Event
Bradley Hospital Social Work and Counseling
Patient Stories
Meet Alex
Meet Jordan
Patient Story: Meet Jack
Resources for Families
Giving to Bradley Hospital
Ways to Give
Trustees & Governors
Development Team
Philanthropy & Grant News
Bravo Bradley
Planned Giving
2025 Honor Roll of Supporters
Christopher Benedick Adopt a Family Program
With Gratitude: Patient Stories
AJ's Story
Lucas's story
Izzy's Story
Nathan's story
Profiles in Giving
Publications & Videos
reCAPTCHA