Treatment for Young Adults

Inpatient treatment

Belmont Private Hospital's caters to address the psychiatric needs of young adults aged 16 to 21 years. The Hospital's Young Adult programs are based upon a holistic approach tailored to young adult individuals struggling with a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, personality, and drug/alcohol use disorders.

You can have a planned admission to Belmont Private Hospital for in-patient assessment and treatment. Admission is typically for 2-3 weeks. The purpose of an in-patient stay could include the following:

Intensive group therapy

As an inpatient, you can attend one of the in-patient group therapy programs which run over two to three weeks. These include:

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
• Enhancing Wellbeing (ACT and Positive Psychology)
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Dual Diagnosis for people with drug and alcohol problems alongside their mental health problem
• The Adolescent and Young Adult Program for age 17-21, which includes elements of DBT, CBT and ACT

Diagnostic assessment

If your diagnosis is complex and unclear, your psychiatrist can use an in-patient admission as a way to get more information by seeing you frequently over the course of your admission and also drawing on information from the team of nurses, psychologists and other professionals.

Medication management

An in-patient stay can be a good way to start a new medication or change or come off medications in a supported environment with frequent reviews by your psychiatrist and close monitoring from the nursing team.

Drug withdrawal

While Belmont is not the best place to detox from a major drug or alcohol addiction, part of your treatment might include having a few weeks off your usual drugs, which can help you re-start your life in new direction after discharge from hospital. For example, coming off heavy cannabis use can be very hard, and it can help to do it in hospital with the help of prescription medications.

Program aims

The main aims of our inpatient programs are, but not limited to;

• To support young adults in better understanding their mental health
• To help young adults understand and manage addictive behaviours
• Create a meaningful life
• Understand the consequences of their long term and short term coping strategies.
• Improve self-esteem by cultivating a sense of self
• Improve daily functioning and quality of life
• Increase skills in regulating emotions and tolerating distress
• To support families and carers with family sessions

Day programs

We offer an extensive range of educational programs designed to improve quality of life for young adults. All programs are focused on best practice service delivery and evidence based research. Programs include cognitive behaviour therapy, psychoeducation programs and a range of other programs that focus on the management of anxiety, depression, stress and anger.

A day program is a group therapy program that patients can attend one day per week for around 3-5 hours, for around 6 to 16 weeks (depending on the program). Private health insurance might cover the cost of day program attendance with or without out-of-pocket excess or gap costs. A range of day programs are available for young people, including:

Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) for Young Adults

Dialectical behaviour therapy was developed for people with borderline personality disorder but is also good for anyone with extreme mood swings and impulsive and risky behaviour, such as people with bipolar disorder or PTSD. The DBT for Young Adults is for people in the 18-25 age range.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for Young Adults

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is about developing your ability to handle painful feelings and develop a positive focus in your life. It can be useful for people with anxiety’s depression, bipolar disorder and BPD.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for Young Adults

Cognitive behaviour therapy is about learning to recognise and modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviour patterns. It is particularly good for anxiety and depression.

Project Art

Art therapy can be very helpful for self expression, self awareness and exploring emotional issues. It can be helpful for a wide range of mental health problems.

Managing ADHD in Young Adults

This program uses cognitive behaviour therapy to help people cope with the effects of ADHD.

These programs are mainly for patients aged 17 and over, but Belmont Private Hospital will run the programs for teenagers if there is sufficient demand from younger patients under 17.

A range of dynamic and innovative expressive therapies, including art, music, craft and creative writing all form part of our treatment programs and are available to both inpatients and day patients.

Out-patient assessment and treatment

Sometimes, young people who are struggling with their mental health have never been properly diagnosed or have previously been given incorrect or conflicting diagnoses. The first step? Speak to a psychiatrist at Belmont Private Hospital to review your diagnosis and your treatment plan. For this, you need a referral from your general practitioner.

Your psychiatrist might take you on for ongoing out-patient treatment which could include:

• Medication changes and ongoing monitoring and management of your medication.
• Ongoing support or therapy with your psychiatrist.
• Referral to a psychologist or counsellor for therapy.
• Referral to a day program.