Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Contact Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center today to learn more.
Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Our adolescent treatment center can help your teen with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
Contact Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center today to learn more.
If your child is engaging in self-harming behaviors, it can feel like the ground has been pulled out from under you. As a parent, you may be overwhelmed with questions, fear, guilt, or helplessness… but you are not alone. At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we provide compassionate, evidence-based adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles designed to help teens heal physically and emotionally. Our goal is to support not only the adolescent in crisis but also the family system as a whole. Together, we’ll work toward building resilience, safety, and self-worth. For more information on our effective and comprehensive treatment program, contact us today.
Contact us today to learn more about our teen mental health treatment centers.
Understanding Self-Harm in Adolescents
Self-harm, also known as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), refers to deliberately hurting oneself as a way to cope with emotional pain, stress, or overwhelming feelings. This behavior is more common than many parents realize, and it does not always mean a teen is suicidal. For many adolescents, self-injury becomes a temporary release—a way to manage feelings they may not know how to express or process.
Common forms of self-harm include cutting, burning, scratching, or hitting oneself. Some teens may also engage in risky behaviors like excessive substance use or disordered eating as forms of self-injury. While these actions may offer momentary relief, they can quickly spiral into cycles of shame, secrecy, and further emotional distress.
At Hillcrest, we believe self-harming behaviors are symptoms, not identity markers. They are a sign that your child is struggling and needs effective, specialized care.
Our Approach to Self-Harm Treatment
We understand that self-harm isn’t about attention-seeking—it’s about emotion regulation, trauma, internalized pain, and feeling out of control. That’s why our adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles focuses on addressing the underlying causes, not just the behaviors themselves.
Our treatment model integrates a combination of evidence-based therapy modalities and holistic, developmentally appropriate approaches. We help teens:
- Build healthier coping mechanisms
- Understand the root causes of their emotional distress
- Reconnect with a sense of safety and self-compassion
- Strengthen communication with family and trusted adults
- Rebuild identity outside of self-harming behaviors
Self-Harm Treatment Programs in Los Angeles
At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we offer a safe, structured, and deeply compassionate environment for teens to begin their healing process. Located in the peaceful hills of Los Angeles, our facility is designed to feel both restorative and secure—an ideal setting for adolescents to step away from daily stressors and focus entirely on their recovery. We recognize that every teen’s journey with self-harm is unique, and no single treatment path works for everyone. That’s why we offer a continuum of care, ensuring your child receives the appropriate level of support based on their clinical needs, safety concerns, and readiness to engage in treatment.
Our adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles includes multiple levels of care, each thoughtfully designed to meet teens where they are in their healing journey. Whether your child needs intensive, round-the-clock support or a structured outpatient environment that accommodates school and home life, Hillcrest offers flexible and effective programming rooted in trauma-informed, evidence-based care.
Residential Treatment
Our residential treatment program provides the highest level of care for teens who are actively struggling with self-injury, emotional dysregulation, or co-occurring mental health challenges that interfere with daily functioning. In this immersive, 24/7 environment, adolescents are closely monitored and supported by a team of licensed clinicians, medical professionals, and therapeutic mentors. Each day is carefully structured to include individual therapy, group therapy, medication management if needed, experiential therapies, and on-site academic instruction so teens stay on track with their education.
This level of care is best suited for teens who are in immediate crisis, experiencing chronic or escalating self-harming behaviors, or who have not responded to outpatient treatment. Residential care removes external stressors and provides a consistent, supportive environment where your teen can focus solely on building the coping skills and emotional tools needed for long-term recovery.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Our Partial Hospitalization Program offers comprehensive, full-day treatment while allowing teens to return home each evening. PHP serves as an effective step-down from residential care or an entry point for teens who require structured support but do not need 24-hour supervision. Each weekday, teens participate in a full schedule of therapeutic programming, including individual therapy, DBT skills training, psychoeducation, group therapy, academic support, and expressive arts or movement-based therapies.
PHP is ideal for teens who are medically stable but still at risk of self-harming behaviors, emotional dysregulation, or withdrawal from family and peer relationships. It offers the intensity of a residential program while allowing families to stay engaged and connected in the healing process. Consistent clinical oversight ensures that progress is monitored, and adjustments can be made as needed to support lasting change.
Summer Treatment Program
Hillcrest’s Teen Summer Mental Health Program offers a unique opportunity for adolescents to receive intensive support during a season when structure, routine, and accountability often fall away. Our summer program is ideal for teens who are struggling with self-harming behaviors and need a safe, therapeutic environment to develop healthier coping strategies and emotional regulation skills.
This program combines clinical care with experiential activities to engage teens both emotionally and physically. Days are filled with individual therapy, process groups, DBT skills training, and expressive modalities like art, movement, and mindfulness. Teens also participate in outdoor recreation and team-building exercises designed to promote connection, confidence, and resilience. For teens who feel isolated or overwhelmed during the unstructured summer months, this program offers a healing space to grow, reflect, and reset.
The summer treatment program is especially beneficial for adolescents who may not be in school or who are transitioning between academic environments, making it an ideal time to focus on mental health without academic pressures. With a strong emphasis on emotional safety, peer support, and skill-building, our summer program helps teens return to school and daily life with renewed clarity, stability, and self-worth.
How We Address Adolescent Self-Harm
Treating self-harm requires more than stopping the behavior—it involves helping teens find new ways to feel and function. By equipping teens with the tools they need to regulate emotions, communicate needs, and heal from within, we help them step into a life where self-harm is no longer the only way to cope.
At Hillcrest, we take a whole-person approach to healing, offering:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is one of the most effective treatments for self-harm, teaching teens mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps teens recognize and reframe negative thought patterns that lead to self-injury.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Many adolescents who self-harm have experienced trauma. Our therapists are trained to treat trauma safely and effectively.
- Family Therapy: Family dynamics play a crucial role in recovery. We work closely with parents to improve communication, rebuild trust, and establish healthy boundaries.
- Creative and Experiential Therapies: Art therapy, music therapy, and equine therapy help teens express themselves in nonverbal ways and access healing through creativity and connection.
- Psychiatric Support: For teens who benefit from medication, our psychiatric team provides careful evaluations and medication management when appropriate.
Signs A Teen May Be Self-Harming
Many teens go to great lengths to hide self-injury, which is why it’s crucial to recognize the subtle warning signs. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, trust your instincts. It’s okay to ask questions, and it’s okay to ask for help. Reaching out could be the turning point in your child’s life.
You may notice:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, or scars, often on the arms, thighs, or stomach
- Wearing long sleeves or pants even in warm weather
- Bloodstains on clothing or bedding
- Sharp objects (like razors or broken glass) hidden in personal belongings
- Social withdrawal or avoidance of activities once enjoyed
- Heightened irritability, mood swings, or emotional numbness
- Difficulty expressing emotions or talking about feelings
- Signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma
Signs A Teen May Be Self-Harming
Many teens go to great lengths to hide self-injury, which is why it’s crucial to recognize the subtle warning signs. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, trust your instincts. It’s okay to ask questions, and it’s okay to ask for help. Reaching out could be the turning point in your child’s life.
You may notice:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, or scars, often on the arms, thighs, or stomach
- Wearing long sleeves or pants even in warm weather
- Bloodstains on clothing or bedding
- Sharp objects (like razors or broken glass) hidden in personal belongings
- Social withdrawal or avoidance of activities once enjoyed
- Heightened irritability, mood swings, or emotional numbness
- Difficulty expressing emotions or talking about feelings
- Signs of depression, anxiety, or trauma
Why Hillcrest?
At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we understand the unique challenges that teens face today. The pressures of adolescence, social media, academic expectations, and identity formation can create overwhelming emotional burdens. When those pressures lead to self-harming behaviors, specialized, age-appropriate treatment makes all the difference.
Choosing adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles is a courageous step, and we’re honored to walk that path with you.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Adolescent Expertise: We work exclusively with teens, which means everything we do—from therapy to activities to academic support—is designed with adolescent development in mind.
- Individualized Care: No two teens are the same. Every treatment plan is tailored to meet the specific emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of your child.
- Family Involvement: We believe healing happens in community. You’ll be part of the process every step of the way, with access to family therapy, parent education, and ongoing communication with our clinical team.
- Safe, Peaceful Environment: Our Los Angeles facility offers a private, nurturing setting where teens can focus on healing without judgment or distraction.
- Compassion-First Philosophy: Above all, we lead with compassion. Your teen will be met with empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to helping them rediscover their voice, their strength, and their worth.
Why Hillcrest?
At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we understand the unique challenges that teens face today. The pressures of adolescence, social media, academic expectations, and identity formation can create overwhelming emotional burdens. When those pressures lead to self-harming behaviors, specialized, age-appropriate treatment makes all the difference.
Choosing adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles is a courageous step, and we’re honored to walk that path with you.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Adolescent Expertise: We work exclusively with teens, which means everything we do—from therapy to activities to academic support—is designed with adolescent development in mind.
- Individualized Care: No two teens are the same. Every treatment plan is tailored to meet the specific emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of your child.
- Family Involvement: We believe healing happens in community. You’ll be part of the process every step of the way, with access to family therapy, parent education, and ongoing communication with our clinical team.
- Safe, Peaceful Environment: Our Los Angeles facility offers a private, nurturing setting where teens can focus on healing without judgment or distraction.
- Compassion-First Philosophy: Above all, we lead with compassion. Your teen will be met with empathy, respect, and a deep commitment to helping them rediscover their voice, their strength, and their worth.
Start Healing From Self-Harm Today
If your child is struggling with self-harm, there is help—and there is hope. At Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center, we’re here to offer both. Our experienced team is ready to guide your family through this challenging time with compassion, professionalism, and unwavering support.
Contact us today to learn more about our adolescent self-harm treatment in Los Angeles, schedule a confidential assessment, or speak with a member of our admissions team. Healing starts with a single step, and you don’t have to take it alone.
