We proudly provide the following Children and Adolescent resources that offer specialized and attentive care by licensed caring professionals. Please take a moment to review our program to determine what your needs are. We look forward to providing guidance and hands-on attention. We welcome the opportunity to speak directly. Please use our online patient portal to schedule an appointment.
Our Programs
Therapeutic Program
We offer a variety of clinically proven therapy services for children and adolescents. Please take a moment to review each of the following services to determine the resource that would benefit your child’s journey towards healing and self-care.
School-Based Program
Hillcrest is super proud of its “School-Based Behavioral Health Expansion Program (SBBH)”. This robust program utilizes a public health approach to addressing children’s mental and behavioral health needs in a school setting. Hillcrest partners with District of Columbia schools (Public School and Public Charter) by placing certified Clinicians and Family Engagement Specialists directly at each school to provide an array of behavioral health services.
Community Based Intervention (CBI) Program
Our services are designed for DC Community Support Agency (CSA) children and youth ages 6 to 21 who are experiencing a crisis or significant emotional and behavioral challenges. These services aim to stabilize the home and community environments through structured therapeutic support. Sessions are led by a CBI Therapist who provides clinical support and behavioral interventions to help improve the youth’s stability and overall functioning.
Children Community Support Program
This team-based program designed to promote resiliency and endurance among children provides essential mental health resources and direct support to help children achieve and maintain their recovery and rehabilitative goals.
Tailored to meet a wide range of needs including education, housing, mental health, co-occurring disorders, financial stability, and social support, these services are primarily delivered in natural settings through face-to-face interactions. 24/7 service support is offered to ensure continuous support and crisis intervention.
After-School Youth Program
Our signature Youth Intensive Outpatient initiative entitled Teaching Rambunctious Adolescents Positive Posture (TRAPP) is a structured, prevention-focused afterschool initiative designed to provide adolescents ages 13-18 with a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where they can engage with peers and develop essential life skills. Operating weekly, Monday-Friday at 4:00pm, the program is committed to empowering youth with the knowledge and tools needed to make positive life choices while fostering personal growth and resilience.
Program Benefits
Program benefits:
- Substance Use Prevention & Education
- Therapeutic Support & Psychoeducation
- Wellness & Health Monitoring
- Mentorship & Positive Engagement
TTRAPP is facilitated by trained Youth Coaches who serve as mentors and role models, guiding participants through personal development activities and fostering a sense of belonging and accountability. The TRAPP Youth Program is more than just an afterschool initiative—it is a comprehensive support system that empowers adolescents to make informed decisions, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to thrive in all areas of life.
Trauma Programs
We offer two nationally recognized evidence-based treatment services to address the results of traumatic incidents.
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is designed to help children, adolescents, and their parents/caregivers overcome trauma-related difficulties. Our trauma programs are designed to reduce negative emotional and behavioral responses following traumatic experiences such as child sexual abuse and other maltreatment, domestic violence, traumatic loss, mass disasters, multiple traumas, and other traumatic events. Trauma treatment addresses distorted or upsetting beliefs related to traumas. Treatment provides a supportive environment in which children are encouraged to talk about their traumatic experiences and learn skills to help them cope with ordinary life stressors. TF-CBT also helps parents cope effectively with their own emotional distress while developing skills that support their children.
Trauma Systems Therapy (TST)
Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) is a model service to address child-related situations such as uncontrolled emotions (e.g., anxiety, sadness, rage, dissociation, or flashbacks) and/or behaviors (e.g., aggression, self-harm, running away, or substance abuse).
Violence Interrupter Program
Hillcrest is the proud recipient of the District of Columbia’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement Violence Interrupters program. Entitled “Bridge to Peace” this program directly work to prevent and reduce violent crime, such as shootings, killings, and robberies linked to gang activity and violence retaliation. The program aims to decrease violence and to prevent violence before it happens.
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An experienced team of Violence Interrupter experts play a critical role in community education and mobilization, organizing public forums, schools, churches, and community organizations to participate in violence prevention efforts. By working flexible, non-traditional hours, Violence Interrupter professionals remain closely connected to the pulse of the community, responding proactively to potential conflicts. To request violence intervention support, please contact the Program Director, Ms. Jamillah Linkins via email at: JLinkins@hillcrest-dc.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does the Therapy Process Work?
Families will be assigned to a trained clinician; this is a short-term treatment typically provided in 12 to 16 weekly sessions, although the number of sessions can be increased to 25 for youth who present with complex trauma. Most sessions last approximately 60 minutes, with the child and parent separately seeing the therapist for about 30 minutes each. There are some conjoint sessions in TF-CBT, particularly later in the treatment when the child shares his or her trauma narrative with the Hillcrest’s TST providers are specially trained to assess these episodes, focusing on the underlying conditions triggering their expression. These episodes, termed “Survival States” (SSs), often arise when the child encounters unnoticed stimuli that evoke traumatic memories. Through TST, clinical problems are identified by observing patterns of SS expression linked to specific threat stimuli, known as Survival State Problems (SSPs).
Using this knowledge, TST delivers targeted, effective treatment through:
- Supporting caregivers in reducing the child’s exposure to triggering stimuli.
- Helping the child build resilience and tolerate exposure when it occurs.
TST is implemented in three structured phases by multidisciplinary teams, making it an effective approach for children (ages 7–12), youth (ages 13–18), caregivers, and communities. This model is particularly beneficial for children who have experienced any type of trauma.
TST requires a minimum of 2-3 sessions per week—one with the identified client and one with the parents. The model is flexible and allows for additional sessions if needed.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for CBI Services?
Eligibility Criteria: Youth may qualify for CBI services if they meet two or more of the following criteria:
- Are at risk of losing their current placement (biological or foster) due to challenging behaviors
- Are transitioning back from residential treatment
- Have behavioral or emotional instability impacting school performance, placing them at risk of academic failure
- Have a history of psychiatric hospitalizations
- Exhibit chronic or stress-induced behaviors such as stealing, lying, or aggression
- Are experiencing a crisis that requires intensive support and coping skill development
- Are involved with the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) or the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)
Who is excluded from CBI services?
Exclusion Criteria: CBI services are not appropriate for youth who:
- Have a moderate to severe Intellectual Disability or Autism diagnosis
- Do not have an Axis I or II diagnosis
- Are currently placed in residential or inpatient treatment
- Are actively suicidal or homicidal
- Have substance abuse as their primary diagnosis
- CBI services provide critical support to help youth and families navigate crisis situations while promoting long-term stability and positive behavioral change.
Telehealth and school-based behavioral health services are available
- Clients with phones and computers will receive their services via videoconferencing and telephone.
- Alternative arrangements will be made for clients without telephone access.
- Clinicians are located in approximately 24 DC Public and Public Charter Schools
Our Values
Treatment is a partnership between the client, staff, and a network of family and friends; strength is found through that community.
Fostering healing in a safe, trusted environment is critical for the well-being of those we serve.
Individuals’ efforts in seeking help reflect a foundational strength for recovery and growth.