Effectiveness of intensive short-term residential treatment – Described a model of short-term residential treatment for severely disturbed adolescents. This paper describes distinctive features of the program; presents follow-up data at 3 and 12 months post-discharge, suggesting its effectiveness; and examines the implications of these findings for treatment and further research. Analysis of follow-up data on 123 adolescents (11–18 yrs old) treated over a four-year period indicates that intensive short-term residential treatment that includes emphasis on work with families, involvement in community activities, and discharge planning can be an effective means of helping youngsters with severe psychiatric disorders who have not responded to briefer or less intensive forms of psychiatric treatment.