Newport News Behavioral Health Center

A Secure, Youth-Only Campus for Crisis Stabilization and Residential Care

Newport News Behavioral Health Center provides behavioral health treatment for children and adolescents in a secure setting. Acute inpatient care supports youth ages 8–17 who need immediate help during a psychiatric crisis, with the goal of stabilization and a return home or step-down care. Psychiatric residential treatment serves adolescents ages 11–18, and program information also describes services for young people up to age 21 when longer-term structure is needed. The campus includes outdoor courtyards, walking paths, and access to nature, along with private rooms with individual bathrooms and a relaxation lounge.

Specialty Tracks for Complex Symptoms, Trauma, and Sexual Behavior Concerns

This facility stands out for its focus on complex disorders in adolescents, including trauma-related concerns, sexually aggressive behaviors, and co-occurring substance use. The Comprehensive Assessment Program (CAP) provides thorough evaluation and treatment for youth with complex symptoms. Project Valor is a dedicated treatment and rehabilitation program for male sexual offenders ages 11–17. For youth who need substance use support alongside psychiatric care, the center provides intensive substance use treatment within a co-occurring disorders program for boys and girls ages 11–18.

Structured Treatment with Psychiatry Oversight, Family Work, and Skill-Building

Treatment includes individual, group, and family therapy, plus medication management and medication education in inpatient care. The clinical team includes therapists who are licensed or working under supervision, licensed professional counselors, certified substance use counselors, and certified sex offender treatment professionals, with oversight from a psychiatrist who is board certified in adolescent psychiatry and addiction medicine. Programming uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, anger management, and trauma-related counseling. Youth also participate in therapeutic recreation, expressive therapies (including music, arts, crafts, and drama), pet therapy, and life skills training, with gender-specific programming.

Academics Built In, With Discharge Planning That Starts at Admission

School support is integrated into treatment, with certified teachers who help residents keep up with coursework and access GED preparation when appropriate. Discharge planning begins at admission and involves guardians and referral sources, focusing on coping skills and a workable plan for returning to home, school, and community support. For step-down care, Branches (a service of Newport News Behavioral Health Center) offers an adolescent partial hospitalization program (PHP) for ages 11–17 that provides structured day treatment using CBT and DBT models, with medication management and individual, group, activity, and family therapy.