Children’s Residential Behavioral Health Treatment (6-13)

Why Choose Us for Children’s Residential Behavioral Health Treatment?

San Marcos Treatment Center provides children’s residential treatment programming for ages 6 to 13. The program blends treatment, education and daily activities to help your child better navigate daily life.

For more than 75 years, San Marcos has provided residential therapy for kids. Families from across the country put their trust in our thoughtful balance of routine, encouragement and genuine care. Learn more about us.

Highlights of our program:

• Age-appropriate care: We focus on skills and challenges that fit your child’s age and stage of development. Younger children (ages 6 to 10) learn through play, movement and sensory activities. Older children (ages 11 to 13) participate in group projects, games and recreational activities tailored to their needs.
• Success with complex cases: San Marcos provides attentive care for children who need extra support to progress toward their behavioral health goals. Staff offer steady guidance and consistency that lead to meaningful gains and improvement. View outcomes information.
• Experience with specialized populations: San Marcos has cared for military dependents since 1968. We also frequently care for children with developmental delays. We understand the challenges these children face. Our providers create a stable environment that helps children feel supported and capable.
• Restorative environment: San Marcos is on a 65-acre campus with wide open fields. Throughout the day, your child moves between buildings through outdoor walkways surrounded by nature. The tranquil setting feels more like a community than a treatment center.

Family involvement

Being apart from your child during treatment can be difficult, even if it’s what they need. We offer several ways to help you stay connected:

• Regular phone calls: You can speak with your child every day. Even short calls help your child feel supported and remind them they’re not facing this journey alone.
• Family therapy: Weekly videoconference sessions focus on communication and shared understanding. We show you practical ways to support your child’s emotional growth and establish a foundation for healthy interactions at home.
• Family visits: We recommend monthly in-person visits. They may take place on campus or out in the community, depending on your child’s progress.

What to Expect During Residential Treatment for Children

Each day follows a steady rhythm that balances learning, therapy and playtime. Routines help your child feel grounded while building skills for school and everyday life.

Here’s what to expect from our children’s residential treatment program:

• School and learning time: Your child receives education through Ki Charter, our accredited on-site school. Creative, hands-on lessons are designed around your child’s attention span, interests and learning needs.
• Recreation: Therapeutic activities use play and movement to help your child manage behavior and practice healthy ways of interacting with others. These activities may include art, music, yoga, outdoor games or gym time. Our broad range of offerings makes it possible to tailor experiences to your child’s age and developmental stage.
• Treatment sessions: Providers work closely with teachers to provide check-ins as needed. These sessions are carefully timed to avoid disrupting the school day and help your child return to class feeling calm and ready to learn.
• Therapy for kids: Guided group sessions help your child recognize emotions and express them in healthier ways. Therapists use stories, art or role-playing to make these skills easier to practice.
• Life skills: Simple chores, such as laundry, tidying personal spaces and helping with shared areas, teach responsibility and independence. Staff model each task and complete it alongside your child, turning daily tasks into opportunities for success.
• Evening wind-down: Evenings include calm activities that promote consistency and may include reading, journaling or quiet play. These habits help your child relax and prepare for the next day.

Get Help Now

Call 800-251-0059 to schedule a confidential intake assessment for our child mental health residential program. To make a referral, please call 800-848-9090 or use our online referral form.