Mental Health Treatment For Teens
At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center in Los Angeles, we understand the unique challenges teens face with mental health. As a parent, you may feel concerned, frustrated, and even scared about what your teen is going through.
Our specialized mental health treatment programs for teens provide comprehensive care and support in a nurturing environment designed specifically for adolescents.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 800-234-5599.
Common Mental Health Illnesses in Teens
Mental health challenges among teenagers have risen significantly in recent years, with studies showing that 1 in 3 adolescents will experience a mental health disorder by age 18.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 49.5% of adolescents have experienced some form of mental health disorder, with 22.2% experiencing severe impairment. Early intervention and professional treatment are crucial for helping teens develop healthy coping mechanisms and achieve long-term wellness. At Hillcrest, we specialize in a number of mental health disorders including the following.
Clinical depression in teens often manifests as persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and changes in sleeping and eating patterns that last for two weeks or more.
Anxiety disorders involve excessive worry about various aspects of daily life that significantly impacts a teen’s ability to function normally in school or home.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder in teens is commonly characterized by extreme mood swings, including emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Personality Disorders include patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that deviate from cultural expectations and cause significant distress or problems functioning.
Mood disorders primarily affect emotional states, causing significant changes in how teens think, feel, and handle daily activities.
Childhood trauma includes emotional and psychological response to deeply distressing experiences, which can have lasting effects on behavior, relationships, and daily functioning.
Dissociative Disorder includes conditions characterized by disconnection between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity, often developing as a response to trauma.
OCD includes recurring, unwanted thoughts leading to repetitive behaviors that significantly interfere with daily activities and social interactions.
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder affecting thinking, perception, and behavior, often emerging in late teens or early adulthood.
Psychotic Disorders are conditions that cause distorted awareness and thinking, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech
Schizoaffective includes psychotic symptoms and mood disorder symptoms that significantly impact daily functioning and relationships.
Our Teen Mental Health Treatment Options
At Hillcrest, we recognize that every teen’s journey is unique. Our treatment programs are designed to provide varying levels of care to match each adolescent’s specific needs, circumstances, and recovery goals. Our evidence-based approaches combine therapeutic intervention, academic support, and life skills development to support comprehensive healing and growth.
Residential Treatment
Our comprehensive residential program provides 24/7 care in a structured, supportive environment. Teens receive individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, psychiatric care, and educational support while residing in our facility.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A intensive day treatment option allowing teens to receive comprehensive care while returning home in the evenings. PHP includes structured therapy sessions, psychiatric support, and academic assistance during daytime hours.
What Parents Can Expect During Mental Health Treatment
At Hillcrest, we believe that family involvement is crucial for successful teen mental health treatment. Our comprehensive family support program ensures parents are actively involved in their teen’s recovery journey while receiving the guidance and resources they need.
From the moment you contact us, our dedicated family liaison will guide you through the admission process, treatment options, and financial considerations. Throughout your teen’s stay, you’ll participate in regular family therapy sessions and receive detailed progress updates from our clinical team. We also provide extensive parent education programs to help you better understand your teen’s mental health challenges and develop effective supporting strategies for their continued recovery at home.
Essential parent support includes:
- Progress updates from your teen’s primary therapist
- Family therapy sessions
- Comprehensive aftercare planning
- 24/7 access to our clinical team
- Insurance verification and financial planning assistance
- Regular academic progress reports
- Transition planning and post-discharge support
Mental Health Treatment Therapies
At Hillcrest, we offer a comprehensive range of evidence-based therapies tailored to each teen’s unique needs and challenges:
Educational Support
Our educational program provides academic support with therapeutic techniques to help teens overcome learning challenges while managing mental health symptoms. Our certified educational therapists work closely with each teen’s school to ensure academic progress continues during treatment.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy utilizes evidence-based approach that helps teens identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to develop healthy coping skills and emotional regulation.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences and unconscious processes influence current behavior and relationships. This therapy helps teens understand their emotional patterns and develop stronger self-awareness and personal identity.
Interpersonal Therapy
Interpersonal therapy focuses on improving relationships and communication skills, helping teens build stronger connections with family and peers while addressing depression, anxiety, and social challenges.
Family Therapy
Family therapy strengthens family relationships through improved communication, understanding, and problem-solving skills. Parents and siblings participate in regular sessions to create a supportive home environment for recovery.
Personal Development
Structured program focusing on life skills, self-esteem building, and identity formation. This includes goal setting, decision-making skills, and personal responsibility training.
Recovery Management Therapy
Recovery management uses long-term coping strategies and relapse prevention techniques, helping teens maintain their mental health progress after treatment through personalized wellness plans.
Expressive Therapy
Expressive therapy utilizes a creative therapeutic approaches including art, music, and movement therapy, allowing teens to process emotions and experiences through non-verbal expression and creative activities.
Outdoor Therapy
We use adventure-based counseling such as equine therapy and nature activities that build confidence, teamwork, and resilience while providing opportunities for mindfulness and emotional growth in natural settings.
Take The First Step Toward Your Teen's Mental Health Recovery
Your teen deserves a chance to thrive. At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we understand that seeking help for your child’s mental health can feel overwhelming. Our compassionate team of experts is here to guide your family through every step of the recovery journey.
Call us now at 800-275-1707 or verify your insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Mental Health
1 in 5 teens experiences a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression being the most common diagnoses.
Recognizing when your teen needs professional mental health support can be challenging, as many symptoms may appear similar to typical teenage behavior. However, certain warning signs indicate a need for professional intervention:
Behavioral Changes:
- Significant personality changes or mood swings
- Intense irritability or anger outbursts
- Social withdrawal or isolation from friends and family
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Drastic changes in friend groups or social circles
Academic Indicators:
- Sudden decline in grades or academic performance
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing in class
- Skipping classes or refusing to attend school
- Complaints from teachers about behavior or participation
- Loss of motivation for schoolwork
Physical Symptoms:
- Significant changes in sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or too little)
- Changes in eating habits leading to weight loss or gain
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Frequent headaches or stomach issues
- Lack of energy or constant fatigue
Emotional Signs:
- Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness
- Excessive worry or anxiety about daily activities
- Frequent panic attacks or overwhelming fears
- Talk of death, suicide, or self-harm
- Difficulty managing emotions or frequent crying
High-Risk Behaviors:
- Experimentation with drugs or alcohol
- Engaging in dangerous or risky activities
- Self-harming behaviors
- Running away from home
- Aggressive or violent behavior
Digital/Social Media Behavior:
- Dramatic changes in online presence
- Posts indicating depression or suicidal thoughts
- Cyberbullying (as victim or perpetrator)
- Excessive gaming or internet use as escape
If you notice several of these signs persisting for two weeks or more, it’s important to seek professional evaluation. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems and support your teen’s healthy development.
Treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment, followed by creation of an individualized care plan. Our team works closely with teens and families to provide evidence-based therapies, medication management if needed, and ongoing support throughout the recovery journey.
We Focus on Teen Recovery in a Caring, Safe and Intimate Setting
We specialize in behavior, anxiety, personality disorders, complex psychiatric disorders, and many co-occurring issues. Our philosophy? To empower clients to address their struggles head on and to find the most wholesome path for long lasting healing, and overall life quality.