Residential treatment center for teens in California
At Key Healthcare, we understand how overwhelming it can feel when your teen is struggling. You want a space that feels safe, and you want treatment that works. That’s where our residential treatment center for teens in California comes in. We combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to create an environment where healing and hope can thrive. Speak to our experts today to learn more about how we can help.
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What is our California Teen Residential Treatment Like?
If your teen is struggling with mental health challenges, you’re not alone, and there is support available. Sometimes, the best way to help your teenager heal and meet their mental health needs is by stepping away from everyday pressures and into a safe and structured environment designed just for them.
That’s exactly what our California teen residential treatment program offers.
Our residential program is tailored for teens aged 13 to 17 who require more intensive care. In this setting, your teen will receive 24/7 support and mental health services in a therapeutic space where they can fully focus on their healing. The goal? To help them build resilience and rediscover their potential, so they can thrive in the long run.
Why Families Trust Our Accredited Residential Treatment Center for Teens
At Key Healthcare, we’re proud to offer a 45–60 day residential treatment program for teens that addresses both mental health and substance use concerns through dual diagnosis care. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions; instead, we use evidence-based therapies like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to meet your teen where they are.
Every step of the way, we make sure your teen is surrounded by compassionate professionals who genuinely care. Our facility offers a healing environment where your teen can feel safe and supported.
And because your trust matters, we continuously uphold the highest standards in teen mental health care. We maintain important accreditations, affiliations, and certifications that reflect our commitment to excellence, so you can feel confident in the care your teenager receives.
What Can a Residential Treatment Center for Teens Help With?
If your teen is facing more than one challenge at once, like substance use or behavioral issues, you might be wondering where to turn. Our California teen residential treatment program is designed to help teens like yours work through complex issues in a supportive environment.
We specialize in treating a wide range of conditions in young adults through an individualized treatment plan, including:
- Trauma-related disorders
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Depression
- ADHD
- Self harm
- Sexuality and gender identity
- Marijuana or alcohol use
- Xanax or prescription drug misuse
- School refusal or academic struggles
- Mood swings or emotional outbursts
- Bipolar disorder
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors
These issues can feel isolating for both you and your teen, but you don’t have to face them alone. With early care, teens have a much better chance of learning proper self-expression and making a lasting recovery.
Why a Complex Mental Health Safe Space Can Change Everything for Your Teen
The surroundings your teen is exposed to can have a profound impact, not just on their emotions, but on their brain development too. If your teen is living in an unsafe or toxic environment, it can take a serious toll on their mental health and overall growth.
A 2023 study published in PLOS ONE found that both social and environmental factors, like peer and family problems, directly impact adolescent brain structure and emotional well-being. Teens who lacked support or faced ongoing stress had higher levels of emotional symptoms, such as anxiety or sadness. The study even found that stress could affect brain regions responsible for emotional regulation.
At Key Healthcare, we understand how much your teen’s environment matters. That’s why our residential treatment program in California is designed to provide a safe and structured space where your teen can step away from toxic influences and focus entirely on healing.
You’re not alone in this—and neither is your teen. We’re here to help every step of the way.
What Conditions Can Our California Teen Residential Programs Treat?
Our teenage residential treatment programs specialize in treating teens with a variety of issues, including behavioral issues, mental illness, and substance abuse. Some of the most common conditions treated include:
What to Expect After Being Admitted to Our Teen Residential Treatment Program in California
At Key Healthcare, our dual diagnosis residential program for teens takes place over 45-60 days in the heart of Malibu, California. We offer comprehensive assessment and treatment tailored to each teen’s unique needs. Our multidisciplinary team includes Masters level clinicians, therapists, and counselors who support your teen throughout their journey.
Some treatment options we offer include:
Individual Therapy for Teen Mental Health
Your teen will participate in weekly individual therapy to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a private, supportive setting.
Group Therapy
Group therapy allows teens to share their experiences with peers who understand what they’re going through. It’s a vital part of emotional healing and social development.
Holistic and Recreation Therapies
Teens can access therapeutic activities like yoga, art therapy, surf therapy, hiking, music production, and more. These approaches enhance self-awareness, build confidence, and support healthy habits.
Nutrition and Exercise
A balanced diet and regular physical activity play a crucial role in recovery. Our residential care program includes three daily meals, healthy snacks, and supervised exercise routines.
Family Involvement and Family Therapy in Treatment
We involve the entire family through regular family therapy sessions, weekly updates, and support programs that encourage better communication and connection.
Academic Progress Support
Teens receive academic support to continue their studies through Mission Academy School. Our staff helps monitor your child’s progress and ensures they maintain academic momentum.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns, while dialectical behavior therapy builds emotional regulation and resilience. These two methods are core components of our treatment model. They can help with troubled teens experiencing mood disorders or eating disorders.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
This evidence-based treatment is used for teens who have experienced trauma and are living with PTSD. It helps them face and reduce the power of traumatic memories.
Our residential treatment center for teens offers compassionate care and a highly trained team to help ensure the best outcomes. Our residential treatment programs address both mental health and substance use challenges, and we create space for healing through therapeutic activities and personalized support.
We believe that healing begins when your teen is understood. That’s why we focus on helping each patient thrive in a structured environment.
Our goal in developing Key Healthcare was to create programs that gave teens the guidance they needed to draw on their strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling happy lives. Based on our own experiences, we believe that everyone has the ability to change if given the proper structure and connection
Ryan Blivas & Evan Powell
Founders of Key Healthcare
It might feel like a big step, but remember why you're here—you’re looking for a way forward.
How Our Residential Program Compares to Other Levels of Care
When outpatient support isn’t enough, residential treatment offers the structure and intensive care many teens need to make lasting progress. Here’s how it compares to other options:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Teens attend treatment 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, but return home each evening. While PHP provides consistent support, it lacks the 24/7 structure and therapeutic environment of residential care.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
A more flexible option for teens who are stable enough to live at home. IOP runs 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, allowing teens to balance treatment with school and home life. However, it may not provide the level of supervision or daily therapeutic intensity some teens require.
If your teen needs a deeper level of support, residential treatment provides the care they need to heal, away from daily stressors and distractions.
FAQ
How effective are residential programs for troubled youth?
Residential treatment centers can be life-changing for teens facing complex mental health conditions, behavioral health challenges, and substance use issues. At Key Healthcare, our residential treatment programs are built to deliver compassionate care through evidence-based practices, structured daily life, and a supportive setting that nurtures real progress. Our multidisciplinary team designs each treatment program around your teen’s specific needs, so they receive the mental health treatment they deserve.
Will my teen fall behind academically during residential treatment?
Your teen’s academic progress matters just as much as their emotional recovery. At our residential treatment center for teens, we provide support for their educational needs. Our team ensures your teens stay on track with tailored academic plans and collaboration with their home school when needed. We focus on both education and your teen’s overall well-being.
How involved will our family be in the teen treatment process?
Healthy relationships and family involvement are essential. We know that healing happens faster when the entire family is part of the process. That’s why we offer regular family therapy sessions, parent education programs, and workshops designed to strengthen communication and boundaries. You’ll be part of every major step in your child’s treatment program, so you feel empowered and connected.
How will my teen's emotional well-being and mental health issues be supported during residential treatment?
Your teen’s emotional health is our top priority. Through individual therapy, group therapy, and therapeutic activities like art therapy and equine therapy, your child will learn healthy coping skills and build self-awareness to make positive choices. We create a therapeutic environment where your teen can feel safe to open up, process trauma-related disorders, and grow emotionally. Our treatment center also provides access to medication management and psychiatric care if needed.
How will residential treatment impact my teen's overall development and mental health challenges?
Our residential programs focus on every part of your teen’s growth. From social development, maintaining relationships, and emotional healing to building healthy habits and life skills, we help teens thrive in daily life. Your teen will work with Masters level therapists and experienced staff in a structured environment built for long-term care, stability, and transformation. We also support teens with co-occurring disorders and ensure a personalized treatment model that aligns with their unique journey.
How are meals and nutrition managed in teen residential treatment centers?
Our residential care program includes healthy, chef-prepared meals that support mental health treatment and physical strength. We view nutrition as a vital part of your teen’s daily life and healing journey. Every aspect of our program is designed with young people in mind, offering wraparound services that support mind and body.
What makes Key Healthcare’s teen RTC program stand out?
Our teen residential treatment center is a safe and supportive environment to grow. We begin with a comprehensive assessment to fully understand your teen’s challenges. Every part of the program is guided by a highly trained multidisciplinary treatment team. From the admissions process to aftercare, we’re committed to supporting clients and families every step of the way.
Sources
Stepanous, J., Munford, L., Qualter, P., Banaschewski, T., Nees, F., Elliott, R., & IMAGEN Consortium. (2023, January 5). Social environment and brain structure in adolescent mental health: A cross‑sectional structural equation modelling study using IMAGEN data. PLOS ONE, 18(1), e0280062.
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Is your teen struggling with mental health or substance use challenges?
Request a confidential call today – our team will walk you through the admissions process, treatment options, costs, and what to expect. Reaching out is a powerful first step toward a healthier future for your teen and your family.
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Insurances we Accept
Key Healthcare works with a majority of health insurance providers and depending on your plan, 100% of the costs may be covered. Verify your insurance to get more information about your coverage.
Start Your Teen’s Healing Journey with Compassionate Care at Key Healthcare Today
We believe healing begins with connection. That’s why we bring both clinical expertise and heart. Our therapists meet your teen where they are, offering a structured approach and genuine care every step of the way.
We accept most insurance plans, and depending on your coverage, the full cost of treatment may be covered by insurance providers. Whether you’re in California or another U.S. state, we’re here to help you verify your insurance and answer any questions you may have.
Healing starts with your decision to make a change. Your teen deserves a fresh start, and we’re here to help make that happen.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out through our contact form, and someone from our caring admissions team will be in touch shortly to discuss our comprehensive evaluation and guide you through the next steps to reaching your treatment goals.
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Structure, support, and a path forward. See how programs at Key Healthcare help teens thrive.
Take the first step by verifying your insurance today and find out what coverage options are available for your family. Our team will review your benefits and help you understand how to access the care your teen needs.
Medical Reviewer
Dr. Elnaz Mayeh PhD, LMFT
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