Mental Health Services for Military Kids

SandyPines is a trusted residential treatment center for children and adolescents dealing with behavioral, mental health and emotional issues. We offer specialized services meeting the unique needs of children whose parents are active-duty service members and veterans.

Whether it’s an extended parental absence, frequent relocations or permanent changes to your family, SandyPines helps your child cope. Our compassionate approach acknowledges the challenges your child is facing and gives them hope for happier days.

Highlights of military mental health services for children include:

• TRICARE®-approved provider: We gladly accept TRICARE, the U.S. military health benefits program. Admissions staff verify your child’s eligibility and explain what coverage entails. Read more about the admissions process.
• Pediatric focus: We are one of Florida’s largest residential pediatric treatment centers. From child-friendly amenities to on-site schooling and age-appropriate therapies, our focus is helping your child thrive. We also have robust recreational therapy offerings that emphasize fun and personal development.
• Appropriate length of stay: Healing from military-related trauma takes time. Eligible patients may be approved for up to five months of residential treatment. During this time, your child receives intensive therapy. We teach them healthy strategies that make it easier to navigate daily life.

Research shows that children of military families are more likely than civilians to experience emotional and behavioral challenges. Children may show signs of excessive worry, academic challenges or isolation. If these issues impact your child’s daily life, residential treatment at SandyPines can help. 

Military mental health services for children help address issues such as:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Complex trauma
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Self-harm or suicidal ideation 
• Substance use disorder

Your child’s treatment plan may include individual, group and family therapy. We use age-appropriate techniques to get to the source of your child’s symptoms and guide treatments.

Our methods include:

• Trauma-informed care acknowledges the many ways trauma impacts your child’s thoughts and actions. It emphasizes compassion and understanding in all interactions, especially when de-escalating negative behaviors.
• Positive behavior reinforcement recognizes accomplishments using a reward system. Your child earns tokens for positive behaviors that they can exchange for comfort items and fun experiences. Read more about A Balanced Day Positive Reinforcement Program.
• Dialectical behavior therapy helps your child accept the challenges they are facing and learn to let them go. We use a variety of techniques, including mindfulness and distress tolerance.
• Cognitive behavioral therapyis a form of talk therapy. It teaches your child how to recognize negative thoughts and reframe them in a way that doesn’t derail their progress.

To get started, call 561-744-0211 or contact us. In the event of a mental health crisis, call 988. TRICARE® is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. All rights reserved.