Psychiatry and Psychology in Minnesota

Child, Adolescent and Family Treatment Program

The Mayo Clinic Child, Adolescent and Family Treatment Program (CAFTP) provides modern, comprehensive assessment and care of mental illness and physical illnesses requiring significant psychological support. An inpatient program for youth up to age 18 (if still attending high school), CAFTP helps children and adolescents live life to the fullest.

This specialized hospital unit provides enhanced, diagnostic assessments and care through collaboration with experts in all pediatric disciplines, including general pediatrics, pediatric neurology, pediatric genetics, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric cardiology and pediatric endocrinology. This integrated, multispecialty approach promotes efficient and comprehensive assessment of the most complex psychiatric and medical illnesses by using the extensive resources available at Mayo Clinic.

How the Program Works

Patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist, physician's assistant, and psychiatric nurse. Medical tests or consultations with other medical specialties are ordered as needed. Psychologists are available to administer and interpret psychological tests. A treatment plan is proposed and discussed with the patient.

The multispecialty hospital team meets with patients and their families daily to design an individually tailored treatment plan to address the psychological and physical aspects of illness. Through this approach, the team can clarify whether a medication is needed and, if so, prescribe an appropriate and often simplified medication regimen. The choice of medication may be further customized by understanding each patient's ability to metabolize drugs through use of a new genetic test (Cytochrome p450). This test helps the team decide which medications should be avoided, thus preventing unnecessary side effects and complications.

Treatment focuses on both medications and non-medication therapies. Non-medication therapies include supportive and cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation and recreation therapy, and education. There is a daily cognitive behavioral therapy group. Education topics include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, self-esteem, forgiveness, relapse, emotions, anger management, and sleep disturbance. Electroconvulsive therapy is available, if needed.

Each patient is offered daily individual and group therapy to address needs identified during treatment planning meetings. Because pediatric mental illness affects the entire family, Mayo's program also encourages and supports family therapy throughout the patient's hospitalization. The individual and family therapy provided in the hospital improve communication and healing, while giving all involved a sense of hope and momentum as the dismissal day approaches.

Frequently treated illnesses include:

• Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Chronic medical symptoms
• Disruptive behavior disorders
• Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa
• Learning disorders
• Major depression
• Neuropsychiatric illnesses
• Pain disorders with psychological features
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia

Specialty diagnostic assessments may include:

• Second opinion evaluation
• Chemical dependency evaluation
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Brain imaging