As a parent, choosing a treatment program for your teenager’s mental health issues (with or without substance abuse) can be overwhelming. To support this difficult process, the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) developed a comprehensive set of considerations to help parents know how to choose a residential treatment center for their teen.
In this article, we’ll provide guidance based on NATSAP’s expert recommendations to help you make an informed decision that best serves your teen and your family.
Program and Facility Licensure and Accreditation
Each U.S. state regulates every residential treatment program. All treatment providers must obtain licensing from the appropriate state government agency that oversees healthcare services for minors.
In California, teen residential treatment centers must be licensed by the State of California Department of Health Care Services and certified by the Department of Social Services.
Independent Accreditation
Beyond state requirements, independent accreditation enhances a program’s accountability and credibility. The Joint Commission, America’s largest accrediting body for healthcare organizations, is widely considered the gold standard in healthcare organizational certification. Joint Commission accreditation underscores an organization’s commitment to providing high-quality care.
Muir Wood is licensed by the State of California Department of Health Care Services, certified by the Department of Social Services, and accredited by The Joint Commission.
Licensure and Credentials of the Clinical Staff
Just as programs and centers require proper licensure and accreditation, clinical staff must have appropriate licenses and credentials. These key credentials indicate professional qualifications for mental health and substance use treatment services:
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT)
- Associate Clinical Social Worker (ACSW)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
Other degrees, such as M.D., Ph.D., and Psy.D., may qualify a professional to offer mental health services as well. If you’re looking at a program that treats substance use disorders, specialized credentials, such as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), may also be desirable.
All Muir Wood clinicians are licensed (LMFT, LCSW, AMFT, ACSW, M.D., Ph.D., Psy.D.).Muir Wood also has double-board-certified psychiatrists and registered nurses on staff.
Academic Continuity
A teen residential center may integrate academic instruction and support into its treatment program schedule. This helps teens maintain academic progress and eases the transition back to their school after treatment.
The program’s academic offerings should be validated by a recognized educational authority. Any academic teacher or support staff should possess proper credentials or substantial experience in educational instruction.
Muir Wood’s on-campus Learning Centers are recognized by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as supplemental learning programs. Muir Wood also employs master’s-level, single- and multi-subject teachers credentialed by the State of California.
Family Involvement
Family involvement in teen treatment can vary widely between different programs. Each center has its own guidelines for family communication and visitation. Some facilities welcome families for social meetings or activities designed to support family dynamics and overall well-being. Others may limit family involvement to virtual channels.
Muir Wood utilizes weekly virtual family therapy with a licensed therapist, multi-family process groups led by licensed therapists, and a twice-weekly online parent support group. Learn more about our parent support resources. Muir Wood also offers weekly virtual support groups for alumni families whose teens have completed the treatment program.
Treatment Types and Therapeutic Approaches
The appropriate treatment for a teen depends on their specific behaviors, stressors, and presenting issues. Behavioral intervention is a common approach for teen residential programs. This approach aims to correct risky behavior patterns and support overall wellness. However, for long-term recovery, behavioral correction may not suffice without comprehensive mental health treatment that addresses underlying mental health issues.
Holistic Treatment
The best residential treatment facilities focus on holistic mental wellness rather than just psychotherapies. Residential facilities may offer mental health-focused treatment, substance use-focused treatment, or an integrated approach that addresses both simultaneously. This integrated method, known as dual-diagnosis, recognizes the often interconnected nature of mental health and substance use issues.
Common Therapeutic Modalities
Therapeutic modalities may include:
- Cognitive behavior therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Psychiatric and medical treatment
- Addiction intervention
- Family therapy
- Experiential therapies
A teen residential treatment program typically incorporates a combination of these and other therapeutic interventions. By understanding the types of mental health and substance use issues a teen treatment program is equipped to address, you can make a more informed decision that best supports your teen’s path to recovery.
Muir Wood employs an integrated approach to treatment, addressing both substance use and underlying mental health issues at the same time. For cases where substance use is not present we treat teens exclusively with mental health issues. Our comprehensive treatment approach combines evidence-based therapy practices with fitness, nutrition, and other supportive experiences to provide a well-rounded path to recovery.
Treatment Length of Stay
The duration of a teen’s stay in a residential treatment program is typically determined by their individual diagnosis and progress throughout treatment. Program lengths can vary, with common options including 30, 60, or 90 days, though some may extend longer.
Muir Wood treatment programs range from 30 to 90 days. The duration depends on the severity of the mental health and substance use issues.The average length of stay at Muir Wood is 45 days.
Outcomes and Feedback
When evaluating a potential treatment program, inquire about their methods for measuring and improving outcomes. Ask if they use independent research or other quantitative and qualitative methods to measure teen outcomes upon program completion. You may want to ask how they use this research and client feedback to improve their performance.
To gather a comprehensive view of the program, consider these additional steps:
- Ask to speak with alumni or alumni parents
- Get opinions from trusted professionals
- Research outcome reports
- Read online reviews
- Take a virtual tour of the facility
Muir Wood utilizes Trac9, a nationally recognized, independent research organization that closely monitors outcomes using state-of-the-art outcome tracking tools. We also collect quality feedback from alumni families, which we are always happy to share with prospective clients. Learn more about our treatment outcomes.
Individualized Treatment Progress
Every teen’s treatment journey is unique, and progress is evaluated on a case-by-case basis rather than a fixed set of milestones. Quality treatment programs take a holistic, patient-centered approach to assessing a teen’s readiness for program completion.
Treatment programs provide a structured environment designed to support your teen’s growth. Parents should educate themselves about the treatment process, including program structure, campus rules, and progress measurements, to establish and manage expectations.
Safety and Well-Being
Quality programs follow strict protocols that prioritize the safety and well-being of all teens in their care. The goal is to actively support teens in their recovery journey by providing a safe and secure environment that fosters growth. Your understanding and active support of these protocols plays a significant role in your teen’s progress.
Therapist Communication
Understanding your teen’s progress involves you maintaining communication with their therapist. These conversations help you understand how your child is progressing during the different stages of treatment. The therapist can discuss your teen’s overall well-being, including mental, emotional, and behavioral factors. By staying informed, you will become an integral part of your teen’s support system.
Aftercare Support
Treatment programs offer various structures for post-program support, including resources for ongoing sobriety and wellness, alumni groups, or continuity of care through outpatient services. Knowing the available post-treatment options before entering a program equips you to make more informed long-term treatment decisions for your teen.
Fill out a pre-assessment form to help our team understand your family’s needs.
Questions to Ask a Residential Treatment Center
The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs provides a list of questions parents and potential clients can ask a residential treatment provider to better understand its services. These are some of the questions Muir Wood is asked most often.
Is the program in-network with major insurance?
Coverage by major insurers signifies adherence to the most rigorous standards of evidence-based, outcome-driven treatment and best practices. When a treatment program is in-network with major insurance companies, it becomes more accessible to families, allowing them to focus on recovery rather than finances. But even if a facility is considered out-of-network, they may still be able to work with you on what’s called a “single-case agreement”.
Muir Wood is an in-network provider with Aetna, Anthem, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Halcyon/Simple Behavioral, Health Net, Kaiser, Magellan, MHN, Optum, and TRICARE. Verify your coverage with us.
Is the program gender-separate?
Many treatment programs separate teens based only on diagnosis. However, gender-separate programs offer settings based either on preferred gender or gender assigned at birth. This allows teens to focus on their recovery work without social distractions.
Muir Wood is a gender-separate program. We provide separate treatment and living facilities for teens based on their gender assigned at birth. Learn more about our girls’ programs and our boys’ programs.
What is the caseload of the therapists?
Residential treatment programs that prioritize personalized treatment have a lower client-to-staff ratio. This allows therapists to spend more time with each teen and gain a deeper understanding of every teen’s unique challenges and needs. It allows therapists to better coordinate care with other providers.
Muir Wood’s master’s-level, licensed therapists carry a caseload of up to five teens.
How many clients are treated on campus?
Residential treatment programs vary in size and structure. Some programs operate with a “hub and spoke” model, where teens live in smaller, home-like settings and come together at a central location for treatment activities.
Treatment programs with smaller populations allow for a tighter-knit community and home-like feel. Clients can create meaningful bonds for peer support, and staff typically have more time to spend with each individual. All of this makes for a highly customized experience aligned with the teen’s needs and treatment goals.
Muir Wood is a highly individualized program, with 17 residential settings throughout California. Each residence accommodates up to six teens, creating a home-like environment while maintaining a small program size. Typically, no more than 18 teens are in a given treatment program at one time.
Are staff bios and other resources posted on the website?
Website resources are powerful tools to help you get to know the program—but only if the content is up to date. Speak to someone from the program to be sure materials are current so you’re basing your decisions on accurate information.
Staff bios, campus photos, and video tours, client video testimonials, and other details about Muir Wood’s programs are updated regularly.
Is the program certified or accredited by third-party consumer protection groups?
In addition to healthcare certifications, residential treatment programs can earn business certifications that authenticate the quality of their services. These can be provided by industry-specific organizations or general business organizations.
LegitScript® is a leading third-party certification organization in the healthcare sector, and both Psychology Today and Rehab Path offer designations for trusted mental health treatment providers. The Better Business Bureau® offers ratings to businesses in a variety of industries. When you are considering a treatment provider, ask if they have any third-party certifications or accreditations.
Muir Wood is certified by LegitScript®, has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®, and has been verified as a trusted treatment provider by Psychology Today and Rehab Path.
Explore Muir Wood Teen Treatment
Hopefully, we’ve given you enough information to help you select a quality teen residential treatment center. If you’d like to learn more about Muir Wood, contact us today. If you feel we may be a good fit for your teen, fill out our Treatment Pre-Assessment Form.