Frequently Asked Questions

Where is The Oaks Treatment Center located?

Our facility is located within the city limits of Austin. The campus-style treatment center is tucked away on approximately 15 acres, providing an ideal therapeutic setting in a year-round warm-to-moderate climate. As the name implies, The Oaks Treatment Center's property is filled with large, shady oak trees and accented with colorful wildflowers in the spring.

How much therapy will my child receive?

The frequency of therapy is based on each child's specific needs. Every weekday our children receive three hours of schooling and three therapeutic group sessions. In addition, every child participates in one or two family therapy sessions and one or two individual sessions depending on their personalized treatment plan.

What types of therapy/counseling will my child receive?

Family therapy is given the highest priority and is strongly encouraged at a frequency of once or twice a week. Every child receives three hours of school every weekday intermixed with at least three therapeutic group sessions. Our campus is structured to provide a milieu-based, community-focused structure so our children are constantly interacting and developing with peers.

Why so much group therapy?

It has been proven that kids obtain positive results from involvement with peers and increasing accountability among each other. Therefore we designate a large amount of each child's time to group therapy. We provide a variety of therapy ranging from nursing/medication, education, health, physical body and safety therapeutic sessions.

What is the staff's training?

The variety of services provided at The Oaks Treatment Center demands a selective, talented and well-rounded group of professionals. The facility employees psychiatrists, psychologists, physician assistants, substance abuse counselors, registered sex offender therapists, master level social workers, discharge planners, registered nurses, special education teachers, nutritionists, and dieticians. On the slim possibility that The Oaks does not directly house the expertise your child requires for treatment, we will obtain consultation with the best in the area.

How long is the average length of stay?

The Oaks Treatment Center works with some of the most extreme cases in the nation, which requires expertise, time and patience. On average a child remains at the facility for 90 to 180 days.

What kind of education program does The Oaks provide?

The Oaks School is in a separate and secured building, operates year-round, and is equipped with modern computers. Our certified special education teachers work closely with every student to help them achieve academic gains. Classes are kept small (6-8 students) and allow students to learn at their own non-competitive pace. The Oaks School provides report cards, school transcripts, diplomas and graduation ceremonies. Our teachers communicate with students’ home schools as necessary, and credits are transferable. The school is provided by the University Charter School, a component of the continuing and extended education of the University of Texas at Austin. We are accredited by the Texas Education Agency.

Are the children required to participate in every activity?

Children are strongly encouraged to participate and their involvement in treatment is reflected in their treatment behavior program. Every activity is incorporated into a child's treatment plan according to that individual's interests and needs.

How are families kept involved from a distance? Can family members visit?

At The Oaks we consider family involvement essential for the treatment of the child. Family and patient therapy sessions are included within every treatment plan, whether they be in-person or telephonic sessions. In-person sessions are easily coordinated with our therapists to optimize the visit's productivity.

How are local Austin families involved?

If families reside in the area, visits of at least once a week are strongly encouraged. We provide intimate family visitation groups on campus and therapeutic passes are an option based on behavior.

How much contact or involvement can the families have?

Our programs heavily incorporate family/guardian support systems when possible, which is why we offer one call in and one call out per day to increase contact and strengthen the child's relationship with you.

What type of prevention education do they get?

Each child receives prevention education daily. The areas of prevention education include: anger management, nursing, medication, behavior management, dietary, substance abuse and sexual disorders.

How are the meals and nutritional needs handled?

At The Oaks, we have dieticians and nutritionists looking after our children daily. Our cafeteria provides balanced meals especially to meet the needs of growing children. All the meals are home cooked on campus and accompanied by a salad bar. Variations are made to satisfy the most difficult of eaters.

Do they get to go outside?

Our campus is beautifully positioned on 15 wooded acres for only one purpose — to allow kids to be kids! We have a variety of recreational outdoor activities: a ROPES course, swimming pool, greenhouse, garden, barbeques, ball games, basketball court, a gazebo and a variety of other community-based leisure activities. With so many activities, the children spend a good deal of time enjoying the outdoors; and we also have an indoor gym.

Can they run away? If they do what happens?

All of our patients are minors and when issues arise we treat them accordingly. Every child is supervised 24 hours a day and resides within secured units. All activities occur under staff supervision. In the rare case that a child should try to run, they are located immediately and returned to the facility.

How often will we talk to a therapist?

You will be contacted at least once a week by us for an update on your child's progress. You also have the option to call and speak with a nurse, therapist, physician or administrator.

Is my child's treatment individualized?

Absolutely. Each child is given an extensive evaluation by our interdisciplinary treatment team and then assigned a highly individualized therapeutic plan to meet their specific needs.

How much will insurance pay?

Normally insurance agencies will cover all aspects of therapeutic services, including every therapeutic session and all that is required for a therapeutic session to occur, such as room and board. Yet everything depends on your specific insurance coverage. A comprehensive insurance verification is done prior to any admissions for an estimate of charges.

What information is needed for admission?

In order for The Oaks to determine if a child is in need of our assistance, our physicians must review the child's most recent psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis, behavioral tendencies, and medications.

What are the admission criteria?

The Oaks Treatment Center has established six main programs or services to aid children facing complex issues, behavioral problems and developmental delays. Each program has specific criteria we adhere to in order to keep the program effective. Yet every child is individually assessed by a physician to ensure they will receive optimal benefit from their specific program placement. Therefore IQ and age exceptions are made.

Will my identity be kept completely confidential?

Absolutely. The Oaks Treatment Center strictly follows all HIPAA regulations which protects patients' and their families' confidentiality.

Is transportation provided to The Oaks for admission?

Transportation by the family is ideal to establish physician contact. But if this can't occur, transportation to our facility is determined on a case-by-case basis and individual arrangements with the family are possible.

How can I get my child in the program?

In order to get your child help, call our admissions department at (800) 843-6257 or (512) 464-0448. Be prepared with as much information as possible regarding your child's diagnosis.

How does discharge planning work?

From the moment your child steps on to our campus, we focus on helping them return to their lives as productive members of society. Therefore we coordinate the entire process to achieve this outcome and ensure smooth, seamless transitions. Discharge options are discussed and planned from the first to last day your child is with us. We have a number of facility liaisons who gather community resources in the patient's home and community settings to help facilitate their transition.

Are you affiliated with any treatment centers?

The Oaks Treatment Center has been affiliated with Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. since April 2003. Psychiatric Solutions currently owns and operates many freestanding psychiatric facilities and manages many psychiatric units within general acute care hospitals all across the United States.

What should they bring?

The following personal items are recommended to bring upon admission and may be furnished when necessary.

• 5-8 shirts
• 1 bathing suit (one-piece for girls)
• 8-10 underwear/panties
• 1 robe
• 8-10 bras (sports bras for girls are recommended)
• 8-10 pair of socks
• 5-8 pants/shorts
• 1-2 pair of shower shoes
• 1-2 sweaters/sweatshirts
• 1 jacket
• 2-4 pair of shoes (at least two pairs of tennis shoes; no boots)
• ponytail bands, hair clips, ribbons, bow and/or scrunchies (all plastic only)
• 2 pajamas

The following items are provided to your child.

• Hair care products, shampoo, conditioner, brushes/combs
• Soap, toothpaste, toothbrush
• Deodorant
• Female hygiene supplies (i.e., tampons, hygiene pads)
• Electric razors/shavers

The following sentimental items & bedroom decorations are encouraged.

• Photographs of family (plastic frames, no glass/metal)
• Crossword puzzle, books (sexual/violent content is prohibited)
• Stationary, stamps, pencils, crayons (no pens)
• Journal or diary

All money should be handed to the unit staff/nurse for deposit into your child's account for safety and accountability.

For any more details or questions please call our Admissions Department at (512) 464-0448 or (800) 843-6257.