The Bridge Program for Children

River Park Hospital strongly believes that helping traumatized children requires a specialized of course treatment. The Bridge Program is a psychiatric residential treatment program designed for children ages 8 to 12 who have been sexually, physically and emotionally abused and are experiencing psychological, emotional and behavioral difficulties. These children are treated with a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy structured environment that allows the child to explore and overcome the effects of their trauma, thus allowing them to acknowledge the trauma without it becoming debilitating. The program is led and implemented by an interdisciplinary team that includes a Program Director and two therapists who are trained in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

The six to twelve months of intensive therapy helps them to understand their trauma and regulate their emotions and behavioral choices, bridging the way for children to return to their families and communities.

The Bridge Program serves children who:

Are ages 8 to 12
Have an IQ at 70 or above
Have diagnoses of abuse/neglect/PTSD/ RAD, etc.
Are in parental or state custody

Have been previously hospitalized for self or other harm
Can no longer be maintained safely in less restrictive environments
Are ready to talk about their trauma and work on their expressions of feelings

The Bridge Program Offers:

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
Individual, group and family therapy
Parent education on the impact of trauma
Recreation therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training, designed by our in-house DBT consultation team
Schooling, academic education and tutoring

West Virginia Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (WV CANS) assessment
Trauma symptomatology assessment
Psychiatric care and medication monitoring
Direct nursing care
Discharge services
Community reintegration

Admission & Referral

Referrals can come from any source but are typically received through DHHR, the court system or the mental health system. For admission, provide a summary of the youth, along with records of treatment attempts, intellectual functioning, and current trauma needs. An MCM1 and court order will be required before admission. Provide an APR referral if the youth is in state custody. All referral information is reviewed by the Program Director to determine admission eligibility.

For detailed program or referral information, please contact:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 304-526-9105 or 1-800-621-2673
Fax: 304-526-9360

Always Here to Help

River Park Hospital is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address your questions and concerns. To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information about our programs, please call 800-621-2673 today. In case of medical emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.