Inpatient care for adolescents with behavioral challenges and co-occurring medical needs.
Helping teens reach new heights through whole-person care.
Some patients present with psychiatric and medical complexities that exceed the capabilities of standard treatment settings. The True North Hospital Program is designed to support those whose complex needs require an intensive, integrated level of care. Many have experienced multiple placement disruptions or been turned away from traditional programs due to safety concerns, medical instability, or treatment resistance.
In a hospital-level care setting, we provide 24/7 medical management, evidence-based psychiatric care, and structured therapeutic programming within a highly supervised environment. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan developed by an interdisciplinary team, with clearly defined goals focused on stabilization, functional improvement, and safe transition to a lower level of care, whether that’s home, foster placement, or another supportive setting within our network, because we’re mending minds.
How does an integrated, hospital-level medical and behavioral program differ from a standalone psychiatric facility or residential treatment center?
Unlike standalone psychiatric facilities or traditional residential treatment centers, the True North Program at Nexus Children’s Hospital offers a specialized program that integrates medical and psychiatric care under one roof. This approach is designed for patients whose behavioral health needs cannot be managed in less restrictive settings, or are complicated by medical conditions, ensuring that all aspects of their health are addressed simultaneously. With an interdisciplinary team of physicians, psychiatrists, and therapists, the program delivers coordinated treatment in a hospital setting — providing the safety, oversight, and expertise needed to stabilize complex cases and prepare patients for the next phase of their recovery journey.
it’s time to find your true north.
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Let's dive into the program details.
The True North Hospital Program provides evidence-based psychiatric and medical treatment in a secure, hospital setting.
What conditions are treated in the True North Hospital Program?
Some of the acute psychiatric diagnoses and medical conditions we treat include (but are not limited to):
- Acute infection
- Anxiety disorders
- Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Chronic illness management
- Disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders
- Eating disorders (when secondary to another primary diagnosis)
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Genitourinary conditions
- Mood disorders
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Neurological conditions
- Personality disorders
- Post-transplant care
- Psychotic disorders
- Pulmonary conditions
- Somatization disorders
- Trauma-related and dissociative disorders
- Wound care and skin conditions
Who is eligible for the True North Hospital Program?
Patients in our inpatient program must meet the following criteria:
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Ages 11 up to 17
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Co-occurring medical diagnosis that requires daily physician oversight and 24-hour nursing care, or a medical diagnosis that presents a barrier to admission at a standard inpatient psychiatric facility
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Significant, co-occurring maladaptive behaviors that are unable to be safely addressed in a less restrictive environment
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Co-occurring behavioral challenges interfere with significant life domains, such as school, community, and recreational/vocational activities
What does treatment look like in the True North Hospital Program?
The True North Hospital Program integrates family medicine, pediatrics, pediatric neurology, physical medicine, psychiatry, psychotherapy, rehabilitation, and skilled therapies to provide comprehensive, integrated care, including:
- Daily medical evaluations by physicians and nurse practitioners to assess and manage acute or chronic physical health conditions
- Ongoing psychiatric evaluations to assess status, monitor treatment response, manage medications, and evaluate safety
- 24/7 onsite nursing care
- 24/7 on-call psychiatric and medical provider coverage
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Evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapies tailored to patient needs and functioning
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Skilled therapies, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy
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Support for activities of daily living (ADLs), such as hygiene, feeding, dressing, and mobility, with a focus on improving functional independence
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Trauma-informed behavioral health interventions provided by licensed clinicians and trained direct care staff
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Structured behavioral programming based on a positive reinforcement model, including a token economy used to reinforce healthy behaviors and encourage participation
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Discharge and transition planning, coordinated with guardians and community providers, that begins upon admission
- Concurrent school enrollment accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Why is it so difficult to find inpatient psychiatric, behavioral, and medical healthcare?
Accessing inpatient care for complex medical, behavioral, and mental health needs can feel overwhelming. The challenge lies in the fragmented nature of care systems. Many facilities specialize in only one area — medical, behavioral, or psychiatric care — leaving patients with co-occurring conditions struggling to find comprehensive treatment. Limited bed availability, strict admission criteria, and a national shortage of specialized providers further complicate the process. For families and caregivers, navigating this maze is exhausting, especially when time-sensitive care is critical. Bridging these gaps requires integrated programs that offer comprehensive, interdisciplinary support in a single, seamless environment.
Learn more about the importance of integrated care for medically complex patients.
True North Hospital Care services
