Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center located at 1010 East and West Road in West Seneca, New York is a well-renowned, award-winning Center of Excellence servicing children and adolescents in 19 counties near and around Western New York. The Children range in age from 4 years old to 18 years old. This 46 bed facility includes 3 separate specialty units for Children, Adolescents, and Adole
scent Intensive Treatment. The forward thinking of our leaders 40 years ago determined that a separate facility for children apart from the adult psychiatric community was the best standard of care. Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center is located on 72 acres of beautifully wooded, safe, and child-friendly property. There are many different types of wildlife who have made the property their home. This has been a source of joy for children and their families as they stroll the grounds together as part of the healing process. WNY has been fortunate to have this oasis for youth and their families for the past 40 years. During that time we have helped over 10,000 children and their families. As you approach our facility, you will drive down Hope Lane. For so many, this has been their last hope. The Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Registered Nurses, Social Workers, Mental Health Technicians, Recreational Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Teachers are among the finest and best trained Children's Mental Health clinicians in the country. Within the facility, there is an indoor Swimming Pool, full-sized Gym, Game Room, Exercise Room, Art Therapy Room, Music Room, Library and an Auditorium with a stage for the children's performances. Also within the facility is a School where children attend daily while receiving treatment for mental health issues. The highly successful modality of treatment for the children we serve include Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy, Play Therapy and the Minds Up Educational Program founded by Children's Mental Health advocate and actress, Goldie Hawn. Therapy with children and adolescents is highly specialized in that it is an immersion therapy much like that which is naturally occurring in all developing children. The children and adolescents interact in real-time, 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week with their mental health providers. They learn how to behave in pro-social ways, how to develop friendships, how to succeed in a school classroom, in addition to intensive therapy provided by their personal Psychiatrist-led Psychiatric Team. A registered Dietitian assures that the children receive healthy nutrition tailored to their individual needs, and provides education on healthy eating for the prevention of childhood obesity. Onsite are Pediatricians who are highly skilled in the interplay of the psychiatric and medical needs of the children as well as Pharmacists specializing in the safe use of psychiatric medication in children. One cannot describe the benefits of the Children's Psychiatric Center without including "Tommy" the therapeutic dog who is onsite as well. Tommy is highly trained and provides therapy for children who are non-verbal or have been so badly abused and neglected that their only means of comfort initially can be met by the companionship of Tommy. Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center is a comprehensive family and child oriented facility which takes emotionally and psychologically wounded children and their families and through healing, joins them together to go on to be successful and contributing members of society. The child's Treatment Team assures a smooth transition back into the community for the children and support for the parents who care for them. The Children's Psychiatric Center hopes to receive support from the New York State Office of Mental health to expand their Community Outreach and Community Services including Day Treatment and Telepsychiatry to be situated on the 72 acres of land adjacent to the inpatient facility. Untreated, research has shown that many of these patients would instead become a part of our criminal justice system. At any given time, there is a waiting list of children who need mental health services from the WNY Children's Psychiatric Center. The safety and comprehensive care this facility provides is essential to the development of a future society of well-adjusted leaders. The children, who through no fault of their own, have suffered abuse, neglect, or genetically determined mental illness, deserve the best beginning we are able to offer and that is what Western New York Children's Psychiatric Center has been providing for the past 40 years. It is not an option to remove, reduce, or relocate these vital services as it is the facility's specially designed therapeutic environment in combination with highly trained Children's Mental Health Providers that has made it the success that it is to date. It is through evidence-based practice that WNY Children's Psychiatric Center has become The Center of Excellence for Children's Mental Health in the State of New York.
