Hampstead Hospital & Residential Treatment Facility: Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

East Acres at Hampstead provides the highest level of residential treatment to children and youth who have severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges.

What is East Acres at Hampstead?

East Acres at Hampstead is a 12-bed Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) located at the Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility in Hampstead (HHRTF), New Hampshire.
It is New Hampshire’s only PRTF, serving children and youth whose behavioral health needs cannot be met in a community setting and require the highest level of residential treatment, Level 5.
East Acres is an intensive therapeutic environment where individuals receive trauma-informed psychiatric care, education and 24/7 treatment and supports to meet their individual needs and prepare to successfully return to their community as fast as possible.
Services are aligned with the core values of NH’s System of Care, which support services that are family-driven, youth-guided, community-based, trauma-informed, and culturally and linguistically competent.

Who is it For?

East Acres at Hampstead welcomes individuals from the ages of 5 to 21 who have severe emotional and/or behavioral challenges that require 24-hour care and therapy, and who meet eligibility criteria for PRTF level of care.

What is the Admissions Process?

Youth who may need residential treatment can access the Comprehensive Assessment for Treatment (CAT) process through the DHHS, Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health (BCBH) or if already involved, through the Division for Children, Youth and Families.
Youth who have received a “CAT” and recommendation for Level 5 residential treatment may be appropriate for admission.
CATs are performed by Maximus on behalf of the DHHS.
Following the CAT process, a youth’s case worker or coordinator can submit the Universal Residential Referral to Admissions at HHRTF for consideration.

For more information about the CAT go to: https://maximusclinicalservices.com/svcs/new_hampshire_cat

To contact HHRTF: info@hampsteadhospital.com or 603-329-5311

To contact BCBH: BCBHinquiry@dhhs.nh.gov

Overview
Team
Our Treatment Philosophy
Treatment
Expressive and Supportive Therapies
Academic Programs
Family

12 beds for individuals ages 5 to 21
24-hour care
Full psychiatric evaluation
Small, individualized treatment groups
Individual psychotherapy and family therapy
Structured, consistent daily routine
Family involved care
Medication management and monitoring
Comprehensive discharge and transition planning

Treatment Team members include:

Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Masters Level Social Workers
Clinicians
Psychiatric Mental Health Counselors
Psychiatric Nurses
Activity Therapists
Board Certified Behavior Analysts

The PRTF embraces a trauma-informed model of care via the University of California’s Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma (ITCT). Trauma-informed means that we take care to create an environment of safety, empowerment, trust and respect. We recognize that many children and young adults in our care often have histories of multiple, complex, and/or chronic trauma. Trauma-informed care means delivering evidenced-based treatment within an environment of healing and recovery. Every member of the team understands and embraces the principles of trauma-informed care, which includes: Safety, Choice, Collaboration, Trustworthiness and Empowerment. Importantly, a trauma-informed approach to treatment does not seek to discover “What is wrong with you,” but instead “What has happened to you.” From this place of shared knowledge, true healing can begin.

We believe that every interaction is a therapeutic moment. Every team member at the PRTF is trained to create and sustain a therapeutic milieu 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Because all team members are agents of change, opportunities for growth occur throughout the day, every day. Within the milieu, there are also daily and weekly structured therapeutic activities. Group treatment is offered daily by team members, including clinicians, counselors, nurses, activity therapists, occupational therapists, and/or other professionals. Individual psychotherapy and family therapy with the primary clinician occur several times each week. Targeted clinical interventions that are empirically supported and trauma informed/trauma responsive include Integrated Treatment of Complex Trauma (ITCT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) among others. When indicated, medication management is also available. All treatment plans are designed to address the unique needs of the individual, with specific interventions chosen to maximize results. Treatment plans are reviewed frequently and modified as often as needed to promote success.

Our Recreation Therapist works with each individual served to introduce and encourage additional therapies that support healing and growth. Yoga, meditation, art, and music are some examples of activities that are used to complement the intense nature of individual and group psychotherapies.

School-aged students shouldn’t have to decide between psychological health and continuing their education. At the PRTF, all efforts are made to work with each individual’s school to continue their previous course of academic study. By continuing with their Individual Education Plan (IEP) or general academic course of study, students can return to their classrooms having experienced minimal disruptions in their academic program.

Our Education Coordinator, Special Education teacher and Teacher’s Aide work closely with students, their schools, and families to provide the highest quality education to each student. The PRTF enjoys a dedicated computer lab and classroom space that allows students to focus on their individual academic program. The PRTF provides each student at least 5.5 hours of academic time per school day supported by the Special Education teacher and Teacher’s Aide. Regular contact with the school district and involvement in IEP meetings help students stay on track with their education goals.

For our older students who may benefit from supportive school-to-career transition planning, the PRTF will work with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability to provide Renew Training. This program works with older students to prepare for successful independent living.

Our treatment team works actively with families and encourages family involvement in each individual’s treatment. Our Family Advocate is dedicated to working with families and helping them build connections within New Hampshire’s System of Care and engage with other providers and families in the community. Family members and other important adults are encouraged to be active participants in Treatment Team and maintain frequent in-person and telephone contact with their children and the program treatment team. The PRTF will work with families to reduce or eliminate any barriers that exist in order to support active and frequent involvement.