Teens Graduating from Center for Families Therapeutic Day School Services | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families

Therapeutic Day School

Center for Families’ Therapeutic Day School was created to ensure that kids in the PHP Therapeutic Day Program do not fall behind in school. While receiving what can be a more intensive form of therapeutic treatment, clients also have the opportunity to participate in our Therapeutic Day School experience. We work with your child’s current schooling institution to develop a curriculum and offer a comprehensive and nurturing educational environment in which they can reach their full academic potential alongside like-minded peers. Designed for students ages 13–18, to ensure that teens don’t fall behind in academics due to emotional, behavioral, or psychological challenges, our Therapeutic Day School is part of our PHP Day Program that operates out of our facilities in Malvern and West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Student-Tailored Education

Just because every child has their own path doesn’t mean their education should suffer. We work directly with our students’ home schools in order to provide an accredited curriculum designed to fit the needs of each adolescent, with a high staff-to-student ratio for individualized attention and tutoring. Our approach to working with our therapeutic middle and high school students focuses on raising self-esteem and confidence and improving executive functioning, while establishing healthy friendships. By developing skills for leading a healthy, happy life, therapeutic middle and high schools help young people get on track and stay on track.

  • An accredited curriculum designed to fit the needs of each student
  • High staff-to-student ratio (4:1) for individualized attention and tutoring
  • Daily therapeutic groups and weekly one-to-one therapy
  • SAT and ACT prep
  • College application support
  • Twice-weekly drug testing and ongoing monitoring of other self-destructive behaviors

Therapeutic Day School: What You Need to Know

Our Therapeutic Day School, while not a standalone school, is run by a certified teacher with a degree in special education, making her uniquely suited to work with Center for Families students, with the support of specialized academic tutors. Based on an assessment by one of our on-staff licensed clinicians, who regularly monitor the Therapeutic Day School and stay in close contact with daytime staff, each student receives the care they need to foster ongoing success, while undergoing a PHP level of care. Collaboration with home schools and family continues throughout the student’s time at Center for Families to ensure that they’re making the proper academic progress while in treatment and that the transition out of treatment is smooth. 

All therapeutic middle and high school students are required to be involved in an outpatient group or a continuing therapeutic commitment following the school day.

  • Runs from 9:30 am–3:00 pm
  • Provides teens with a tasty, nutritious lunch administered by a registered dietician
  • Twice-weekly drug testing and ongoing monitoring of other self-destructive behaviors

I had given up hope that my son would be able to return to his school and actually be happy again. I am thankful every day for finding the Center for Families. It changed our family forever and I will be forever grateful.

—Mary, CFF parent

What Sets Our Therapeutic Day School Apart from the Rest

Academic and social pressures in non-therapeutic day schools often present challenges for teens pursuing recovery from mental health and co-occurring disorders, such as substance abuse, that present themselves at an early age. As they walk a new and challenging path, teens do better when they don’t have to cope with these unnecessary obstacles.

We believe in your teen, and we want to help them to thrive as they move forward. The Center for Families Therapeutic Day School is committed to fostering adolescents’ success in both the short and long term.

What Is a Therapeutic Day School?

Teen in Campus Classroom at Center for Families Therapeutic Day School | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Our campuses feature well-appointed classrooms and comfortable therapeutic environments, suited for activities ranging from individual and group counseling to meditation and martial arts, with easy access to hiking trails and beautiful natural surroundings.
The Center for Chickens - Part of the Teen Animal Therapy Offerings | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Our Center for Chickens at our Malvern location, home to therapeutic chicks and chickens, allows caretaking and nurturing to become an essential part of our students’ daily activities.
Teens Participating in Group Therapy at Center for Families | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Each day includes individual or group therapeutic sessions.
Art Therapy Room at Center for Families | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Art Therapy spaces give teens easy access to creative activities through which they can authentically express themselves.
On-Site Yoga and Meditation Room at Center for Families | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Daily yoga and meditation classes are conducted on-site in meditation rooms or shared outdoor spaces to help teens learn resilience as they navigate daily stressors.
Teens Graduating from Center for Families Therapeutic Day School Services | Teen Treatment Programs | Center for Families
Classrooms feature the latest technology to support dynamic learning. Our teachers work with each student, their parents, and their home school, as well as CFF clinicians, to create a customized instruction plan based on their specific needs and strengths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the school’s hours?

9:30 am–3:00 pm ET, Monday–Friday

What is a therapeutic school?

A therapeutic school is a comprehensive treatment setting in which mental health and behavioral issues that arise during the school day can be addressed successfully while facilitating academic progress, preventing students from falling behind.

Am I able to enroll my child exclusively within the therapeutic school?

Currently, enrollment within our Therapeutic Day School requires being enrolled in our Therapeutic Day Program, which is a PHP (or Partial Hospitalization) level of care. Families who are considering a therapeutic day school for their teen typically discover that the comprehensive care provided by an extended Day Program/PHP is actually more beneficial and effective than a therapeutic school alone.