adolescent mental health program

For Teens in Orange County

 

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when mental health is the whole picture

Your teenager is struggling and you've done enough research to know that it doesn't involve drugs or alcohol. What they need is specialized mental health treatment that meets them exactly where they are, not a program built around issues they don't have.

That's precisely what Sustain Recovery's adolescent mental health program was designed for.

what is sustain's adolescent mental health program?

Sustain's Mental Health Program is a dedicated, standalone track of clinical care for adolescents whose primary treatment needs are psychiatric and emotional, not substance-related. It is a distinct program from our Dual-Diagnosis Care, which is designed for teens managing both mental health and substance use challenges simultaneously.

The Mental Health Program delivers the same rigorous, evidence-based treatment and full continuum of care that Sustain is known for, structured specifically around the needs of teens who are not dealing with addiction. That means your child will never be placed in programming that isn't built for them.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly half of all adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 will experience a mental health disorder. Despite that prevalence, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 40% of adolescents who need mental health care do not receive it. Sustain exists to close that gap with clinical depth, family involvement, and a treatment environment that works for teenagers.

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is this program right for my teen?

Sustain's Mental Health Program is appropriate for adolescents experiencing significant mental health challenges that are not primarily driven by substance use. It may be the right fit if your teen:

Has been diagnosed with a mental health condition and needs more than outpatient therapy
Is struggling at school, at home, or in relationships in ways that feel beyond their control
Has experienced trauma, significant loss, or a period of acute crisis
Has tried traditional therapy without meaningful progress
Needs a structured, clinically supervised environment to stabilize and heal

If you're unsure whether your child's needs involve substance use as well, our admissions team can help you understand the distinction and find the right path forward.

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mental health conditions we treat

Sustain's Mental Health Program is designed to address a wide range of adolescent psychiatric and emotional health challenges including:

anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, mood disorders, PTSD and trauma, OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, self-harm behaviors, disordered eating, ADHD, and more.

levels of care

Sustain's full continuum of care is available within the Mental Health Program, allowing your teen to receive the right level of support at every stage of their recovery.

Residential Treatment
For teens who need 24/7 clinical support and structure, our gender-specific residential homes, The Manor for boys and The Villa for girls, provide a stable, nurturing environment where healing can take root.
Mental Health PHP

Our dedicated Mental Health PHP offers full-day clinical programming including psychiatry services, medication management, and a range of evidence-based therapies, while your teen continues to live at home.

Intensive Outpatient Program
Our IOP provides structured therapeutic support several days a week, designed to step teens down from higher levels of care while maintaining clinical momentum.
Virtual IOP (Sustain Connection)
For teens who need flexibility or who live outside of commuting distance, Sustain Connection delivers live, licensed clinical care Monday through Friday for teens across California.

how treatment works at sustain

Every adolescent who enters the Mental Health Program receives an individualized treatment plan built on a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment completed within 24 hours of admission. A qualified specialist then completes a bio-psycho-social assessment, incorporating family input, referral documentation, and each teen's unique history.

Treatment is delivered through a blend of modalities chosen to match each adolescent's needs, including:

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), trauma therapy, individual and group counseling, family therapy, art and music therapy, experiential and occupational therapy, and mindfulness and somatic practices.

Sustain's clinicians are trauma-informed and trained to understand not just what a teen is experiencing, but why and how to build the trust necessary for real, lasting progress. Academic support and life skills programming are integrated throughout, so recovery never comes at the cost of development.

 

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family is part of the program

An adolescent in crisis doesn't struggle alone and they don't heal alone, either. Every teen in the Mental Health Program has access to weekly family therapy sessions. Parent coaching and ongoing family support are available throughout treatment and into transition, so your entire family is equipped for what comes next.

frequently asked questions

begin the path to beyond better

Your teenager deserves care that sees the full picture of who they are and what they need. Sustain Recovery's Mental Health Program is built to provide exactly that: clinical depth, family support, and a path forward that's tailored to your child.