The history and current status of child and adolescent psychiatric day-treatment programs in The Netherlands.

Abstract

Although its history in Netherlands is a short one, day treatment for children and adolescents is in great demand and an increase in the number of centers throughout the country has been planned. It serves as both a primary and a secondary treatment modality. While the theoretical frames of reference among day units vary, psychoanalytic and systems thinking are the leading orientations. All day units operate with a multidisciplinary staff who work intensively and therapeutically with the children and their families. The day unit at Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam is described as an example of an existing program.