Our approach

Many teenagers who experience alcohol, marijuana, or other drug problems also struggle with mental health issues. Estimated rates of psychiatric disorders among teens with substance use problems range from 60 to 75 percent. Integrated care that jointly targets substance use and mental health yields the best outcomes.

Founded and led by Dr. Robert Miranda Jr., Vista at Bradley Hospital (Bradley Vista) is the direct-service extension of our clinical research program. This intensive outpatient treatment program supports teens dealing with mental health and substance use issues and their families. With some of the nation’s leading experts in adolescent substance use and through an unparalleled partnership between scientists and clinicians, we strive to provide the highest quality clinical care driven by the latest research discoveries.

Why Bradley Vista?

Launched in 2017, Bradley Vista is considered a model treatment program by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Teenagers and families who receive care through Bradley Vista have access to the most advanced treatments available.

Youth receive three hours of comprehensive care three days per week; program hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM ET. This schedule provides youth with intensive treatment while affording them the ability to attend school and practice newly acquired skills in their daily lives.

For each teen, Bradley Vista involves at least two individual therapy sessions and one family therapy session each week. In addition, all teens join in multiple daily group therapy sessions to learn new healthy ways of thinking and coping with life’s challenges. Through ongoing consultation with our physician or nurse practitioner, adolescents and their caregivers consider whether medication may be helpful. This level of care provides youth and families with frequent access to our multidisciplinary team of specialists during the early stages of the recovery process.

Our goals

Adolescents admitted to the program vary in their motivation to change their alcohol or other drug use; some are highly motivated for change while others are uncertain about whether changing their use is right for them.

Our chief objective is to build a collaborative and supportive relationship that lacks judgement, emphasizes compassion, and thoughtfully explores each teen’s thoughts about their use. We strive to help adolescents build motivation for change, acquire a new set of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral skills to address substance use and improve wellness, and achieve initial abstinence. We also work to improve family functioning and support and stabilize pharmacotherapy when indicated. These objectives serve as catalysts for sustaining behavior change, improving psychiatric symptoms, and preparing the adolescent for a lower level of care and longer-term success.

For more information about Bradley Vista or to schedule an appointment, please visit our Bradley Hospital website or call us at 401-432-1695.