Hawthorn’s Childrens Psychiatric Hospital

Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital provides specialized mental health services in St. Louis, Missouri, serving as the state's only free standing psychiatric facility for youth. This Joint Commission accredited provider offers inpatient acute treatment and long term residential care for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. The facility utilizes a multidisciplinary, trauma informed approach to help young clients manage severe symptoms and successfully return to their communities.

Youth Centered Psychiatric Programs and Services

Treatment here usually begins through referrals from Community Mental Health Centers or juvenile courts, addressing needs ranging from acute psychiatric crises to long-term behavioral challenges. The hospital provides inpatient acute treatment for immediate stabilization and residential treatment cottages for extended care and skill building.

We like that this program uses the Sanctuary Model to create a trauma informed environment where youth receive medical care, academic instruction and therapeutic support. A team of psychiatrists, social workers and nurses collaborates with families to provide diagnostic services, behavior management, and substance abuse relapse prevention strategies.

Quick Facts About Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri, situated on a 26 acre campus near the I-170 inner belt.
• Levels of care: Acute inpatient psychiatric stabilization and long term residential treatment.
• Who they treat: Children and adolescents ages 6 to 18 with severe psychiatric disturbances or developmental disorders.
• Approach: Multidisciplinary and trauma informed care emphasizing family involvement and safety.
• Payment options: State funded services primarily for families with limited financial resources or Medicaid.
• Amenities: Separate children’s and adolescent units, co ed residential cottages, and on site educational facilities.

Partnering with DFS and Community Organizations

Accessing care at Hawthorn Children’s Psychiatric Hospital in St. Louis typically involves a referral from a mental health professional, court system, or the Division of Family Services. We appreciate that the intake team coordinates with these community partners to determine eligibility and ensure youth receive the appropriate level of state funded support.