Making informed decisions for your teen’s treatment starts here. Find answers to frequently asked questions about Muir Wood’s adolescent treatment programs.

About Our Program

Where is Muir Wood located?

Muir Wood operates residential treatment campuses across three California regions — Sonoma County, Fresno County, and Riverside County — with multiple home-like residences at each location, with locations in Sonoma County (30 miles north of San Francisco), Clovis (Central Valley near Fresno), and Riverside (Southern California). We also offer Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Petaluma, and soon, in Clovis. Learn more about Muir Wood’s treatment campus locations.

How many teens are in Muir Wood at any one time?

What are the living arrangements like at Muir Wood?

What is the average length of stay at Muir Wood?

How does Muir Wood’s approach differ from other programs?

Muir Wood’s adolescent-specific program emphasizes holistic healing, focusing on developing essential life skills, emotional resilience and self-regulation, and healthy coping strategies. We consider each teen’s specific developmental and psychosocial dimensions and build treatment plans around individual needs rather than purely prescriptive methods. We aim to empower every young individual to create a healthier, more fulfilling future. Finally, Muir Wood places considerable emphasis on including the client’s family in treatment. We understand that the chances of long-term recovery increase when the family is intimately involved with the child’s treatment.

Treatment & Care

Who provides treatment at Muir Wood?

What conditions does Muir Wood treat?

Muir Wood specializes in treating teens struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and other mental health challenges. Our comprehensive programs address both mental health and substance use disorders, with support through integrated treatment for co-occurring conditions. We carefully assess each teen to confirm whether our program matches their needs. Learn more about the conditions we treat.

What does a typical day look like at Muir Wood?

How often will my teen receive therapy?

What is the difference between residential and inpatient treatment?

These terms are often used interchangeably but have important distinctions. While inpatient treatment usually describes short-term, hospital-based care, residential treatment refers to care provided in a home-like setting where individuals live on-site during a treatment stay of 45 to 60 days, with some stays extending to 90 days. Residential treatment’s focus is on longer-term healing and personal growth. Learn more about residential vs. inpatient treatment.

How does adolescent treatment differ from adult treatment?

Adolescent treatment requires a very different approach that focuses on “habilitation”, or teaching psychosocial skills, rather than rehabilitation. Teens need specialized support in developing healthy coping mechanisms, while adults often build on pre-existing recovery skills. Teen treatment also considers developmental differences and the high correlation between substance use and co-occurring mental health issues in adolescents. Treating teens requires a team of specialists trained in treating the unique mental health and substance use conditions that affect teens.

Will my teen’s treatment remain confidential?

Absolutely. Every teen’s treatment at Muir Wood is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which ensures privacy. Just as medical records are protected with their physician at home, they are also protected at Muir Wood. Additionally, all Muir Wood residents, parents, and visitors sign a confidentiality agreement upon admission or arrival. Our privacy policy is available here.

Do you provide gender-separate treatment?

Do clients at Muir Wood’s teen rehab attend 12-Step meetings?

Education & Family Involvement

What is the academic program like at Muir Wood?

The Muir Wood Learning Center, recognized as a supplemental learning program by the California Department of Education and WASC (the Western Association of Schools and Colleges), facilitates 2.5 hours of weekday instruction. Our teachers coordinate with the teen’s home school to maintain academic continuity, with parents acting as liaisons with schoolwork. Our goal is to support a frictionless transition back to school following treatment.

What role do families play in the treatment process?

We view substance use and mental health challenges as circumstances that require whole-family healing. Family involvement is central to treatment and recovery at Muir Wood. Parents engage in weekly family therapy sessions, educational classes, and support groups, and receive regular updates on their teen’s progress. This provides support for both the individual teen and the family “system.” Learn about our Family Program here.

What Aftercare Program support is available?

We offer comprehensive aftercare planning for teens and their families, including therapy referrals, support group connections, and connections with our alumni programs. In fact, Aftercare planning begins upon admission at Muir Wood. Our team helps monitor progress and checks in to address challenges that arise during the transition home. As an alumni family, both parents and teens (separately) are invited to weekly online groups where support is provided by a therapist and stories and challenges are exchanged and discussed. Read more about Aftercare here.

Admissions & Starting Treatment

What is Muir Wood’s current bed availability?

Is psychological testing and assessment offered?

All Muir Wood residents undergo multiple assessments by a psychiatrist, registered nurse, clinical director, and primary therapist upon admission and throughout treatment. Our multidisciplinary clinical assessment at admission includes nursing, psychiatric, and biopsychosocial evaluation. When clinically indicated, neuropsychological or psychological testing is available through trusted third-party providers. Muir Wood’s clinical team determines what testing is appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

What should my child bring to Muir Wood?

Teens need ten days of comfortable clothes, outdoor shoes, and non-alcohol-based toiletries. While Muir Wood provides basic toiletries and linens, many teens like to bring their preferred personal care items and a few photos to display in their room. Please bring a CLEAR book/binder-sized TOTE bag (not a backpack) for their belongings. Electronic devices and valuables are not permitted in order to keep focus on treatment. For a complete list of dos and don’ts, please contact our admissions team.

Does Muir Wood accept insurance?

Yes. Muir Wood is in-network with most major providers, including Anthem BC/BS, Aetna, Blue Cross of CA, Cigna, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan, MHN, TRICARE, Optum, and others. Our team will verify your benefits and secure pre-authorization for treatment. We also work with out-of-network providers through single-case agreements and provide comprehensive billing documentation to support insurance claims. Verify your insurance coverage to understand your benefits.

Take the Next Step with Muir Wood

Have additional questions? We’re here to help. Our admissions team is available to answer your questions and discuss your teen’s needs. Call 866-705-0828 or complete our confidential assessment form to determine if Muir Wood is the right fit for your family.

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About Our Program

Treatment & Care

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Admissions & Starting Treatment

Take the Next Step with Muir Wood

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