CHILDREN'S DAY UNIT

The Children’s Day Unit is an outpatient day hospital program that is a subdivision of the Division of Child Psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as a unit in the New York State Psychiatric Institute.  It is both a clinical and research facility and a comprehensive evaluation and treatment program for children and adolescents ages 6-18 , with a diversity of diagnoses including mood disorders, psychosis, eating disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders.

All children and adolescents receive a comprehensive evaluation, including psychiatric and psychological assessment, physical and neurological examination, and social skills and educational assessments. They then enter a structured therapeutic program which includes short-term individual and group psychotherapy, social skills training, occupational therapy, recreation, and medication if clinically indicated.  Children and adolescents also attend classes on the unit which are taught by special education teachers from the NYC Board of Education.

Children and adolescents who are inpatients at Psychiatric Institute also attend the Day Treatment Program, but are housed on other units during nights and weekends.  

• Bruce Waslick, MD, Director                              212 - 543 - 5187
• Michael Welikson, CSW, Intake Coordinator     212 - 543 - 5335