Waco Center for Youth

3501 North 19th Street, Waco, TX 76708

Waco, Texas
(254) 756-2171

About Waco Center for Youth

The Waco Center for Youth is a state operated psychiatric residential treatment center in Waco, Texas designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17. It provides long-term, holistic care focused on emotional and behavioral difficulties through individualized therapy, medication management and an on campus school.

The strength-based approach and unique experiential therapies like equine programs are frequently highlighted as key benefits.

Different Programs and Treatments Offered

The center offers long-term residential psychiatric treatment in a full time inpatient setting. Core services include individual, family, and group therapy, medication management and medical care.

Programs are supplemented by experiential therapies like equine programs and a challenge course.

Clients at Waco Center for Youth

This facility serves adolescents aged 13 to 17 who are Texas residents and are experiencing serious emotional or behavioral disorders. Admission requires a referral from local mental health authorities or state agencies and the program is designed for youth who need full psychiatric support.

Home-Like Setting for Recovery

The center is located in Waco, Texas on a 94-acre northwest Waco campus. The spacious, cottage-style setting provides a structured environment for healing and includes amenities for therapeutic recreation.

Payment and Insurance

Payment is generally handled through state funding for referred residents as this is a state hospital. Private insurance or self pay options are not typically emphasized for admissions into this program.

Taking the First Step

The admissions process begins with a referral from a local mental health authority or a recognized state agency. Following a referral the center coordinates an assessment to determine if the youth meets the qualifications for their residential psychiatric program.

A Path Forward for Teens

The Waco Center for Youth provides a dedicated, accredited path to healing for adolescents in Texas. Reach out to a mental health professional today to learn if this specialized residential program is the right fit for your family's needs.

Amenities

gym image

Gym

When paired with cognitive-behavioral therapy, exercise can be an effective tool for overcoming addiction. Dru...g rehabs with a gym offer clients healthy ways to increase energy levels, balance the body’s stress hormone levels, and aid in the brain’s healing process.
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Addiction Treatment Programs

Teen & Adolescent Program Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Animal & Equine Therapy

Teen & Adolescent Program

The goal of a young adult program in Texas is to set young people free from the effects of addiction and give them the skills they need to successfully navigate early adulthood. This is accomplished with age-appropriate settings, therapies, and activities.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The goals of cognitive behavioral therapy in Texas include evaluating thoughts and changing thinking patterns that are leading to substance use. This treatment helps participants understand their motives and problem-solve to work through challenges without the use of substances.

Animal & Equine Therapy

Animal & equine therapy are evidence-based complementary therapies drawing on the emotional, psychological, and physiological benefits of regular contact with animals. Addiction recovery programs may incorporate the care of therapy dogs, cats, horses, and other animals into their treatment model to support clients’ development of recovery-focused life skills, including personal responsibility, time management, and empathy. Contact with therapy animals may reduce stress, enhance mood, decrease depression and anxiety, and increase clients’ self-esteem and sense of wellbeing.

Levels of Care

1

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab in Texas can last from a few weeks to mor than 90 days. During that time, you live at the... facility and receive round-the-clock supervised care. Treatment typically includes individual and group therapy.
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2

Dual Diagnosis & Mental Health

A dual diagnosis treatment center in Texas provides programs for people who struggle with both substance abuse... and mental illness. Treating both disorders through an integrated approach is essential for recovery.
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Insurance

financial-aid icon Financial Aid

If you require assistance paying for alcohol and drug rehab in Texas, financial aid may be an option. Financia...l assistance options include grants, scholarships, non-profit programs, personal funding, and health insurance programs to help you manage the expense of substance abuse treatment.
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medicaid icon Medicaid Accepted

You may be eligible for Medicaid/STAR Health to cover the cost of alcohol and drug rehab in Texas. Coverage th...rough Medicaid/STAR Health may vary, but it can assist with the cost of alcohol and drug rehab, including detox, inpatient rehab, and more.
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medicare icon Medicare Accepted

If you're a resident and need help paying for alcohol and drug rehab in Texas, you may be eligible for Medicar...e. The amount of coverage will depend on many things, including whether you are seeking inpatient or outpatient treatment for substance abuse.
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private-insurance icon Private Insurance

If you have private insurance, you can use it to help cover the cost alcohol and drug rehab in Texas. The amou...nt covered may depend on your policy and whether the treatment center is in-network or out-of-network. You may be left with some costs like a co-payment, or co-insurance. Check with your insurer for more information.
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self-pay icon Self-Pay Options

You have the option to pay for your alcohol and drug rehab in Texas, out-of-pocket (also called self-pay or pr...ivate pay). Self-pay allows you to take control of the cost of your recovery journey and gives you access to all levels of care — including detox in Texas, and inpatient rehab in Texas — that might otherwise be limited by insurers or government-run programs.
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sliding-scale icon Sliding Scale Payment

If you’re struggling to pay the full amount of alcohol and drug rehab in Texas a sliding scale payment plan ...may be an option for you. This way, you can access all levels of care, including detox, inpatient rehab, and more. To qualify for this treatment discount, you must complete an application and provide supporting financial documentation.
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Contact Waco Center for Youth

Building icon

3501 North 19th Street, Waco, TX 76708

Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS

Nearby Treatment Centers

FAQs

What psychiatric treatment programs does Waco Center for Youth offer?

Waco Center for Youth provides inpatient psychiatric treatment for youth ages 13 through 17 with serious emotional disturbances. The facility operates specialized units including the Building Bridges autism program, the Child and Adolescent Stabilization Unit (CASD), and the Burrell Unit for aggressive behavior treatment. All programs include individual and group therapy, family involvement, psychiatric medication management, and social skills training.

What age groups does Waco Center for Youth in Texas serve?

Waco Center for Youth serves children and adolescents ages 13 through 17 who have serious emotional disorders requiring inpatient psychiatric care. The facility admits youth with severe behavioral, emotional, or psychiatric conditions that need 24-hour hospitalization and structured treatment. Eligibility is based on clinical need and serious emotional disturbance diagnosis.

Does Waco Center for Youth have a program for children with autism?

Yes, the Building Bridges program at Waco Center for Youth provides specialized treatment for children with autism and severe behavioral issues. The program is part of the facility’s inpatient services in Waco, Texas, and uses a multidisciplinary clinical team to address both autism-related and behavioral needs within a structured therapeutic environment.

What happens during the intake and admission process at Waco Center for Youth?

Waco Center for Youth evaluates youth ages 13 through 17 with serious emotional disturbances for inpatient admission. A specialized interdisciplinary treatment team works with the patient and family to develop an individualized treatment plan. Admission includes psychiatric assessment, medication evaluation, and enrollment in structured daily therapeutic activities and education services.

What types of therapy are included in Waco Center for Youth treatment?

Waco Center for Youth offers individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, recreational and activity therapy, and social skills training as part of inpatient psychiatric care. The facility employs psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, psychologists, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive treatment. Chemical dependency counseling and medication education are also available components of treatment.

How can someone contact Waco Center for Youth for admission or information?

Waco Center for Youth can be reached at 254-745-2200 or by fax at 254-752-0331. The facility is located at 3501 North 19th Street in Waco, Texas. Youth ages 13 through 17 with serious emotional disorders can be evaluated for inpatient psychiatric admission through a phone inquiry or referral.

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