Fred Finch San Diego Dual Diagnosis

About this facility

San Diego Dual Diagnosis (SDDD) serves youth ages 12 to 22 with both developmental disabilities and serious behavioral health challenges. Their Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) offers out-of-home care with mental health, behavioral, and psychiatric support. The program is distinctive in combining residential treatment with a state-certified Non-Public School, providing specialized education alongside therapy. The program uses a trauma-informed approach based on the Attachment, Self-Regulation, and Competency (ARC) model. Youth receive individual, group, family, and milieu therapy, which involves therapeutic support embedded in daily activities and social interactions to promote positive behavior and emotional regulation. Additional therapies include behavior management, medication support, and expressive arts therapy, all helping youth improve skills, regulate emotions, and build resilience. Residents live in a safe, structured environment with intensive staffing and therapeutic support. The program emphasizes skill-building and prepares youth to transition safely back into community settings with less need for intense care. This focus on stability and growth helps youth thrive both socially and academically.