Teen Behavioral Disorder Treatment
At Hillcrest, we understand the challenges families face when dealing with teen behavioral disorders.
According to the CDC, 1 in 6 children aged 12-17 have been diagnosed with a behavioral disorder, with rates increasing by 40% over the past decade.
At Hillcrest, we transform these statistics into stories of hope and recovery. We understand that behind every statistic is a family seeking answers, and our comprehensive approach combines clinical excellence with compassionate care to guide teens toward lasting behavioral change.
Learn more about our teen treatment programs or call us now at 800-275-1707.
What Is A Teen Behavioral Disorder?
A teen behavioral disorder represents a pattern of disruptive, defiant, or problematic behaviors that persist beyond typical teenage development. These disorders significantly impact an adolescent’s daily life, relationships, and future opportunities.
Unlike occasional acting out or mood swings common in adolescence, behavioral disorders involve persistent patterns that last six months or longer and occur across different settings – at home, school, and in social situations.
The impact of these disorders extends beyond immediate behavioral issues, often affecting academic performance, family dynamics, and social development. Without proper intervention, teens may face increased risks of substance abuse, legal troubles, and difficulties transitioning into adulthood. However, with early identification and appropriate treatment, teens can develop healthy coping mechanisms and achieve positive outcomes.
Most Common Teen Behavioral Disorders
Characterized by persistent patterns of angry, defiant behavior toward authority figures. Affects approximately 10% of teens and often co-occurs with other conditions. Teens with ODD may regularly challenge rules, refuse to comply with requests, and deliberately annoy others.
More severe than ODD, involving serious violations of rules and others’ rights. Conduct disorder may include aggression, property destruction, and deceitful behavior. This disorder often requires intensive intervention to prevent long-term consequences.
Affects information processing and academic performance. May manifest as difficulties in reading, writing, or math, impacting behavioral responses to academic challenges. These challenges can lead to frustration, low self-esteem, and acting out behaviors.
Impacts social interaction, communication, and behavior patterns. Each individual presents unique challenges and strengths requiring personalized intervention. We specialize in helping teens with ASD develop social skills and coping mechanisms.
Impulse Control Disorder
Characterized by difficulty resisting urges and impulses that may harm oneself or others. Includes conditions like kleptomania and intermittent explosive disorder. Our treatment approach focuses on developing self-regulation skills.
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How Do I Know My Adolescent is Struggling with a Behavioral Disorder?
While occasional defiance and mood swings are normal parts of teenage development, certain patterns may indicate a more serious underlying condition that requires professional intervention.
At home, you might notice increasing hostility toward family members, refusal to follow household rules, or physical aggression when frustrated. Patterns of stealing, lying about whereabouts, or sneaking out often emerge. Changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, or personal hygiene can also signal underlying issues, along with sudden changes in friend groups or isolation from previously enjoyed family activities.
In academic settings, unexplained drops in grades, frequent disciplinary reports, or sudden resistance to attending school may surface. Teachers might report disruptive behavior, inability to focus, or conflicts with peers. When multiple teachers express concerns about defiant behavior or academic performance suddenly declines, these signs warrant attention.
Social interactions often become strained, with teens struggling to maintain long-term friendships or experiencing frequent conflicts with peers. Some may withdraw completely, while others might associate with problematic peer groups. Watch for dramatic changes in social media use or concerning online behavior.
Emotional regulation challenges frequently manifest through extreme mood swings that seem disproportionate to situations. Your teen might struggle to calm down after becoming upset or experience frequent emotional outbursts that disrupt daily life. They may express feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, or have difficulty expressing emotions appropriately.
Critical warning signs that require immediate attention include:
- Experimentation with drugs or alcohol
- Self-harming behaviors or suicidal thoughts
- Physical aggression or property destruction
- Criminal activity or legal troubles
- Severe isolation or complete withdrawal from family and friends
More: What Parents Can Expect
How Treatment At Hillcrest Works
Our comprehensive treatment approach begins with a thorough assessment to create an individualized treatment plan. We incorporate family involvement, academic support, and evidence-based therapies to address each teen’s specific needs.
Levels of Care We Offer
At Hillcrest, we recognize that each teen’s journey to recovery is unique. Our multiple levels of care ensure that your child receives the right intensity of treatment at the right time. We continuously evaluate and adjust the level of care based on progress and needs, ensuring a smooth transition throughout the recovery process.
Residential Treatment
Our residential program provides a structured, therapeutic environment where teens receive round-the-clock care and support. This intensive level of treatment combines daily individual therapy, group sessions, and academic programming in a safe, nurturing setting.
Teens live on our beautiful campus while participating in comprehensive treatment that includes therapeutic activities, skill-building workshops, and regular family involvement. The structured routine and constant professional support help establish new patterns of behavior and thinking.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Our Partial Hospitalization Program offers intensive treatment while allowing teens to maintain some connection with their home environment. This program runs six to eight hours daily, providing structured therapy and academic support before teens return home in the evening.
PHP is ideal for teens who have completed residential treatment or those who need intensive care but can safely function in their home environment. The program includes daily group therapy, individual sessions, family therapy, and academic support, all while allowing teens to practice their new skills in real-world settings.
How Behavioral Disorders Are Treated at Hillcrest
At Hillcrest, we employ a comprehensive, multimodal approach to treating behavioral disorders.
Our evidence-based therapeutic methods are delivered by experienced clinicians who specialize in adolescent mental health. Each treatment modality is carefully selected and integrated into your teen’s individualized treatment plan based on their specific needs and challenges.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Our CBT program helps teens identify and challenge negative thought patterns that drive problematic behaviors. Through structured sessions, teens learn to recognize triggers, develop healthy coping strategies, and create positive behavioral changes. This therapy includes practical exercises, homework assignments, and real-world skill application.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
DBT combines cognitive techniques with mindfulness practices, teaching teens to balance acceptance and change. Our comprehensive DBT program includes individual therapy, skills groups, and phone coaching. Teens learn four core skills: mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
This therapy focuses on improving relationships and social functioning. Teens learn to identify relationship patterns, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts effectively. Our therapists help teens navigate complex social situations and build stronger connections with family and peers.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Our mindfulness programs teach teens to stay present and manage overwhelming emotions. Through guided meditation, breathing exercises, and body awareness practices, teens develop greater emotional regulation and stress management skills. These techniques are integrated into daily routines and other therapeutic activities.
This in-depth approach helps teens understand how past experiences influence current behaviors. Our therapists guide teens in exploring underlying emotions and unconscious patterns, leading to deeper self-awareness and lasting behavioral change.
Group Therapy
Our structured group sessions provide peer support and practical skill development. Topics include anger management, social skills, substance abuse prevention, and emotional regulation. Groups are led by experienced facilitators who ensure a safe, supportive environment for sharing and learning.
Emotion-Focused Therapy
EFT helps teens identify, understand, and process their emotions more effectively. Our therapists guide teens in recognizing emotional patterns, expressing feelings appropriately, and developing healthier emotional responses to challenging situations.
We believe family involvement is crucial for lasting change. Our family therapy program includes weekly sessions, parent education groups, and family workshops. We help improve communication, establish healthy boundaries, and create a supportive home environment.
Play Therapy
Through art, music, movement, and structured play, teens can express themselves and practice new behaviors in a natural, comfortable setting.
Why Hillcrest?
At Hillcrest, we combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to provide the most effective treatment for teen behavioral disorders. Our success rate in reducing behavioral symptoms stems from our comprehensive approach, which includes board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and certified educational staff working together on our secure housing campus.
We’re accredited by CARF and accept most major insurance plans, making quality care accessible to families in need. Our commitment to evidence-based treatment, family involvement, and ongoing support has established us as a trusted leader in adolescent behavioral healthcare.
Our Staff
Our treatment team is here to provide the best care for your child. They provide for your child’s medical, psychiatric, educational, behavioral, and emotional needs throughout their treatment program. Learn more about our adolescent treatment team today.
Executive Director
Physician
Director of Education
Psychiatrist
Primary Therapist
