Child & Adolescent Anxiety and Mood Research Clinic—Children's Day Unit
The Children's Day Unit (CDU) is an outpatient day hospital program located at the New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University Medical Center. The CDU is comprised of research participants and adolescents ages 12 to 18 years from the community who require intensive outpatient care.
The Children’s Day Unit specializes in the treatment of:
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social phobia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- School refusal
All children and adolescents attending the CDU receive a comprehensive evaluation and then enter a structured therapeutic program. During the academic year, the CDU partners with the New York City Board of Education to provide education for students through the public school PS186X located on the unit. Students attend class daily and are often eligible to earn school credits while attending the CDU. In addition, during the 6-week summer program in July and August, the CDU provides educational support and tutoring.
Adolescents at the CDU can expect:
- Daily academic classes with personalized tutoring
- Short-term individual and group psychotherapy
- Social skills training
- Recreational and art therapy
- Neurospychological testing when indicated
- Medication treatment when indicated
- Discharge planning for outpatient treatment and assistance with school placement
All assessment and treatment services offered at the CDU are free of charge.
If you would like to learn more about the services provided at the Children’s Day Unit, please contact Mara Eilenberg, LCSW at 646-774-5766.