The Child Psychiatry Unit (KPA) is part of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic and provides 10 inpatient treatment places.

Floor Plan Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Department

The KPA treats children aged 5 to 12 years with mental health difficulties, including:

• Separation difficulties and anxiety
• Eating disorders
• Hyperactive behaviour (ADHD)
• Impulse control difficulties and aggression
• Developmental delays and disorders
• Enuresis (bedwetting) / encopresis (soiling)
• Psychologically related difficulties at school

The KPA provides a interdisciplinary, therapeutic community-based approach. The treatment team consists of therapists, nursing staff/social  pedagogy and the school team who supports and accompanies children throughout their treatment. We work on the basis of voluntary participation and motivation, meaning that all treatment measures require the involvement of the children and the consent of their legal guardians. The therapeutic environment allows flexibility to respond to the individual boundaries, abilities and needs of each child and their family. Clarifying the treatment goals together and agreeing on shared objectives form the foundation of the treatment process. Treatment takes place in three phases: Assessment and diagnosis, therapy and discharge planning.

This phase includes:

• Gathering information about the child’s history and family background
• Psychological testing and medical assessments
• Building a relationship with the child to better understand their abilities, strengths, challenges and the pressures affecting them and their environment

Therapeutic support includes:

• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Regular family meetings with therapeutic and pedagogical staff
• Internal school provision to assess and support educational needs
• Therapeutic structuring of daily routines and the living environment
• Additional therapies, including psychomotor therapy, music therapy and animal-assisted therapy

Preparing for discharge focuses on ensuring that children and their families are ready for the period following the inpatient stay. This includes:

• Strengthening or clarifying the relationship between the child and their family, and preparing either a return home or an alternative placement
• Clarifying and organising the child’s educational situation
• Supporting social reintegration
• Arranging outpatient individual therapy or family support where needed
• If placement outside the family home was part of the treatment plan, the relevant structures and key support people are known to the child and their legal guardians

Flyer about our services can be read in German here.