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1-877-YALEMDS
1-877-YALEMDS

Children’s Day Hospital (CDH)

In collaboration with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital (YNHCH), Yale Child Study Center (YCSC) provides specialized treatment for children ages 5-12 who are experiencing high intensity mental health needs at the Children’s Day Hospital (CDH) Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Partial Hospital Program (PHP). The CDH is located at 350 George Street in New Haven, Connecticut. CDH hours are 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Services

The CDH addresses a range of concerns such as sadness, anxiety, anger, school difficulties, and strained family and social relationships. Self-injury or suicidal thoughts are common. Therapy groups are organized based on age, presenting problem, and treatment focus.

Services begin with an intake to assess suitability, followed by a psychiatric and diagnostic evaluation. Then, three hours of group therapy are provided three days per week. Parent sessions are also offered weekly, along with individual check-ins and medication management. During treatment, if we suspect other issues, additional screens or assessments may be considered, including cognitive or autism screenings.

Program Information

Our approach focuses on building mutual trust with children and parents. We strive to create a safe environment, allowing children to share their thoughts and feelings while also helping them learn to manage their emotions and behaviors. We provide treatment and assessment simultaneously so we can make informed recommendations when the program concludes.

Program hours are from 9 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday. Our therapy groups incorporate skills from evidence-based treatment approaches, primarily cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Other elements guiding care include Superflex (social thinking), mentalization-based therapy, and family systems.

  • Psychoeducation Group teaches and reinforces practical skills to manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
  • Psychotherapy Group promotes applying skills to your child’s daily life.
  • Therapeutic Recreation Group provides recreation and activity-based interventions, along with creative expression, to offer a variety of activities tailored to each child's needs, interests, and abilities.
  • Social Skills Group provides patients with a space to interact with their peers, build relationships, and practice essential interpersonal skills.
  • Parent and family sessions are held weekly, either in person or via video. In these sessions, we collaborate with you, using insights from the previous week, to support you in helping your child.

Referrals

Common referral reasons relate to needs that cannot be met by standard outpatient care, with social, emotional, and behavioral concerns such as major depression, anxiety, trauma, suicidality, self-harm, autism, family or peer stress, and school avoidance.

To be eligible for enrollment, children must be sufficiently verbal and able to participate in a three-hour group. Since transportation is not provided, caregivers, another responsible family member, or a family friend can drop off and pick up. Occasionally, medical cabs or child transportation services are available through schools or outside organizations.

Referring providers should call 203-789-4288—internal providers should use the CDH referral form. For children ages 5 to 7, please call us first to see whether a group is available. This varies by cohort.

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