ABOUT DETROIT BEHAVIORAL INSTITUTE
Established in 2004, Detroit Behavioral Institute (DBI) provides residential treatment for adolescents and children (ages 10 to 19) struggling with mental health disorders, behavioral issues, and co-occurring disorders. The program offers gender- and issue-specific treatment for both adjudicated youth (involved in the criminal system) and non-adjudicated youth. On-site detoxification is not available.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Many of DBI’s adolescents are referred to the institute by the courts or a family service agency. Upon admission, residents participate in a comprehensive psychiatric, behavioral, and cognitive assessment. To ensure highly specialized treatment, DBI facilitates seven different programs, which are based on gender, intellectual capacity, age, assessed emotional and behavioral needs, and involvement in the court system.
Each of DBI’s specialized programs utilizes evidence-based modalities to help youth set goals and develop prosocial skills. Treatment modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectic behavior therapy (DBT), behavior modification, and motivational interviewing (MI). Therapeutic programming includes family, individual, and group counseling, and ongoing medication management.
Residents also participate in a range experiential therapies, including daily recreation, art therapy, drama and performance therapy, music therapy, team building exercises, and weekly yoga sessions.
Along with therapeutic programming, residents ages 12 to 18 also attend Capstone Academy, a specialized charter school. In session Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Capstone Academy blends traditional and modified teaching methods to form individualized curricula that identify academic strengths and foster a challenging yet nurturing classroom environment.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
CARF-accredited, Detroit Behavioral Institute employs a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, clinical therapists, nurses, and certified teachers. The four alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the facility an average rating of four out of five stars for the staff’s level of experience and training.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
With 98 beds total, Detroit Behavioral Institute is comprised of a secure main campus for 74 adjudicated residents, and a North campus for 24 non-adjudicated residents. According to the facility’s website, the campuses provide a “holistic, therapeutic social environment,” and feature a full-size gymnasium as well as Capstone Academy, which is equipped with a modern computer lab.
The four survey respondents approved of the facilities, submitting an average rating of four out of five stars for the facility’s cleanliness and its exercise and leisure activities.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The four alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave the facility average ratings of 3.5 out of five stars for its counseling options, 3.75 stars for its holistic offerings, and 4.25 stars for its treatment effectiveness. “They really are effective and help kids get on the right track,” wrote one alum in a representative review.
The four respondents also provided an above-average rating of 4.25 stars for the facility’s family programming. “It is a good facility for parents who want their kids attitudes to improve,” a former client added.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Best-rehabs.com has not yet received any reviews from this facility’s affiliated friends or family members, however one parent posted a negative one-star review on Google, writing: “The worst ever. Lack of communication and everything with the parents.”
FINANCING
There is currently no information provided on the facility’s website regarding its costs. The four alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave DBI an average rating of four out of five stars for its affordability.