In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
Treatment for Trauma and PTSD in Teens
Trauma can change how a teen feels, thinks, and connects with others. We work with adolescents to rebuild trust, confidence, and emotional safety after difficult experiences. Our trauma treatment programs—offering both residential and intensive outpatient care—provide structure, therapy, and support tailored to each teen’s needs. Every aspect of treatment is trauma-informed and focused on helping teens process what they’ve been through while learning healthy ways to cope and move forward. By integrating family involvement and academic support into care, teens strengthen resilience both at home and in school. Healing isn’t about erasing the past—it’s about helping teens feel safe, connected, and hopeful again.
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Our team walks alongside parents and caregivers from the very first call—offering transparent communication, a treatment plan designed for your teen, and actionable strategies that support healing during treatment and long after. While teens receive immersive, round-the-clock care within a supportive peer community, families build the understanding and skills needed to sustain progress at home.
Some of our key differentiators include:
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Our programs are purpose-built for teens ages 12–17—not modified versions of adult treatment. Board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors collaborate as a unified team, providing developmentally informed, evidence-based care shaped around each teen’s individual needs.
Community and Connection
Healing happens in a relationship. Our program integrates therapist-led group therapy with genuine peer connection, allowing teens to build trust, practice communication, and develop coping skills through shared experience. Individual therapy provides deeper, personalized support—helping teens internalize insights and apply what they’ve learned beyond treatment.
Expertise in Mental Health + Substance Use
We bring specialized expertise in treating both primary mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use challenges. Grounded in trauma-informed principles, our approach goes beyond surface behaviors to address the emotional roots driving them—supporting teens in healing deeply and building skills for lifelong wellness.
Support for the Whole Family
Lasting change requires the whole family. At Muir Wood, parents and caregivers remain actively engaged through weekly therapy, educational workshops, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that strengthens communication, rebuilds trust, and maintains stability well beyond discharge. Our years of experience with adolescents and families allow us to anticipate obstacles and guide meaningful, enduring progress.
Accessible, High-Quality Care Covered by Insurance
Cost shouldn’t prevent families from getting help. Muir Wood partners with most major commercial insurance providers, making high-quality, evidence-based treatment accessible when it matters most.
Academics Without Interruption
In residential treatment, teens continue their education through our WASC-accredited on-campus program. Our academic team coordinates with each student’s home school to keep coursework current, help teens rebuild confidence, and strengthen executive functioning skills like planning and time management. For many teens, small academic successes become powerful turning points in recovery. IOP is designed for after-school hours, allowing teens to remain in their regular school environment while receiving structured therapeutic support.
Continuum of Care
Recovery works best when care is connected and collaborative. Throughout your teen’s time with us—from admission through discharge—we maintain close coordination with existing providers and aftercare supports, whether that’s Muir Wood residential, our IOP, or another trusted partner. Unified clinical philosophy and consistent communication mean progress continues without gaps.
Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist
Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.
Muir Wood Treatment Center Reviews
Read about Muir Wood experiences from a parent who has been through it. Read these and other reviews from real parents of Muir Wood alumni. If you would like to speak to an alumni parent, contact us and we’ll arrange it.
“Ruby had a very positive experience overall both times. Many programs make lots of promises and don’t deliver. Muir wood was a transformational experience for Ruby and I think the experience of being part of a community of peers was especially helpful. I’m a mental health professional myself and have already recommended Muir Wood to friends with teens who are struggling.”
Sasha A. Blum – September 2023
“From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt like part of a supportive com- munity dedicated to helping teens thrive. The staff here are compassionate, knowledgeable, and truly invested in the wellbeing of every teen in their care. The programs are tailored to address the needs of each individual, providing a safe space for growth and healing. I highly recommend this center to any parent seeking top-notch care.”
Krista Merlino – May 2024
“Our child had medication resistant severe depression. Muir Wood helped find the right medication and provided a supportive environment, over Covid, no less. My child is thriving and we both agree that even though it was a hard period, it was the best choice to get them treatment. The tutors worked with his teachers and he maintained a 4.0 while getting better.”
Tomasina Burgess – June 2024
“There really are other families that are struggling in more or less the same ways that we are,” she shares in the video below. “I think there’s a way that addiction can make people feel like it’s only happening to them, and it’s really not. It’s behind so many closed doors. And I only wish that more people would come out and get the help that they deserve and that is there to be had. I’m really grateful we found it.”
Katie F. – June 2024
“This program was really wonderful for our daughter and our family as a whole. We love the parent classes and the parent support group. L. loved most of the staff and made some great friends with other girls in the program. The communication between staff and parents is excellent.”
Ilene G. – Oct 2025
My daughter is at the Petaluma Site. She has been there for about 40 days and the therapist has been very communicative. I feel apart of her treatment and have been updated weekly as well as a fast response anytime I have had questions. The support has been great and I love the parent classes. I have learned a lot in this time.
Angela R. – Oct 2025
Signs of PTSD or Trauma in Teens
When a teen has experienced a traumatic event, the effects can show up in many different ways, and parents may not always recognize them right away. Some teens may seem withdrawn, irritable, or easily frustrated, while others might act out, struggle with behavior problems, or engage in risky behaviors. Changes in sleep, appetite, or academic performance can also be subtle indicators that a teen is struggling to cope. Flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts about past events are common, as are strong emotional reactions to reminders of trauma.
For some adolescents, trauma can also lead to self-harm, heightened anxiety, and substance abuse as they try to manage overwhelming emotions. Teens may avoid situations, people, or places that remind them of the trauma, struggle to concentrate in school, or withdraw from friends and family members. These behaviors are not intentional—they are a reflection of how the brain and body respond to traumatic experiences, whether the trauma involves sexual abuse, domestic violence, natural disasters, or other traumatic events.
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in noticing these changes and seeking timely intervention. Early recognition and professional support can help teens learn coping skills, regain emotional regulation, and reduce the long-term impact of trauma on their mental health and well-being. At Muir Wood Teen, our programs provide evidence-based trauma treatment for adolescents, including TF-CBT, family therapy, and mindfulness practices, giving teens the tools and safe space they need to heal while keeping family members actively involved in the recovery process.
Northern California — Sonoma County
Lohrman Campus for Girls
Mental health and substance use care for teen girls on a tranquil Petaluma property within Sonoma County, surrounded by vineyards and rolling hills.
Skillman Campus for Boys
Dual-diagnosis treatment for teen boys—mental health and substance use care on a serene Petaluma property in lovely Sonoma County.
Central California — Clovis/Fresno County
Makena Campus for Girls
Teen girls receive dual-diagnosis care for mental health and substance use challenges in Clovis—a tranquil foothill setting at the gateway to California’s majestic Sierra Nevada.
Southern California — Arlington Heights Area
Call Us To Learn More
When to Seek Help for Your Teen’s Trauma Response
After a traumatic experience, it’s common for teens to have occasional nightmares, emotional ups and downs, or reluctance to revisit certain situations. These responses are a normal part of processing difficult events. But when trauma responses persist, intensify, or begin to interfere with daily life—school, friendships, family relationships, or your teen’s sense of safety—it may be a sign they need more support than time alone can provide.
Most teens who arrive at Muir Wood have already been struggling for some time. Parents have often tried therapy, made accommodations at home, or worked with school counselors—yet their teen’s trauma symptoms have continued to escalate or resist improvement. If your teen’s trauma response has persisted for weeks or months, is disrupting sleep, concentration, or relationships, or has led to withdrawal, self-harm, or unhealthy coping behaviors like substance use, it may be time to consider a higher level of care.
At Muir Wood, we understand that trauma doesn’t just affect what teens think—it shapes how they react, relate, and regulate. The patterns that bring teens into treatment—hypervigilance, emotional outbursts, avoidance, numbness, or self-destructive behavior—are often the brain’s attempts to cope with overwhelming experiences. Effective treatment addresses what’s driving these responses, helping teens process traumatic experiences safely while building healthier ways to manage thoughts, emotions, and triggers.
Signs Your Teen May Need More Support
Consider seeking a higher level of care if your teen is experiencing:
- Frequent flashbacks, intrusive memories, or nightmares that don’t improve over time
- Hypervigilance, extreme irritability, or sudden emotional outbursts
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed
- Difficulty concentrating, declining academic performance, or school avoidance
- Dramatic changes in sleep or appetite
- Avoidance of people, places, or situations that remind them of the trauma
- Risky behaviors or substance use as a way to cope or numb painful feelings
- Self-harm, expressions of hopelessness, or suicidal thoughts
If your teen is showing a consistent pattern of these struggles—especially if weekly therapy, IOP, or family support haven’t led to lasting improvement—a more intensive level of care may be needed.
Understanding Levels of Care
Finding the right level of support can feel overwhelming. Here’s a brief overview of the treatment continuum—and where Muir Wood fits in:
Outpatient Therapy
Weekly individual or family therapy sessions, typically the first step when a teen begins struggling after a traumatic experience. Outpatient therapy provides ongoing support and skill-building but may not be enough when symptoms are severe, escalating, or deeply entrenched.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Teens attend structured therapy sessions several afternoons per week while continuing daily life at home. IOP offers more support than weekly therapy—including group therapy, individual sessions, and family involvement—without requiring a full-time treatment setting. IOP works well as a step-up when weekly therapy isn’t providing lasting improvement, or as a step-down from residential care to maintain progress.
- Muir Wood offers IOP in Petaluma and Clovis. Teens attend sessions 3–4 days per week for an average of 12 weeks, participating in therapist-led groups, individual therapy, and family sessions while continuing school and practicing skills in daily life.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Structured daytime programming (typically 5–6 hours daily) while teens return home in the evenings. PHP bridges the gap between residential treatment and IOP for teens who need more intensive daily support but don’t require 24/7 care.
Residential Treatment
24/7 immersive care in a supportive, structured environment. Residential treatment provides the clinical intensity needed when therapy, IOP, or family support aren’t enough. Teens step away from daily pressures and triggers to focus completely on healing—with round-the-clock support, daily therapy, and meaningful peer connection woven into every part of the day.
- Muir Wood offers residential treatment at our California campuses in Sonoma County, the Central Valley, and Riverside, California. Teens live in small, home-like residences surrounded by nature, spending their days at our treatment campus engaged in therapy, accredited academics, and experiential activities. The safety and consistency of residential life create space for teens to process trauma, practice new skills, and rebuild a sense of stability. The average length of stay is 45–90 days, individualized based on each teen’s progress and clinical needs.
Inpatient/Hospital Care
Short-term, acute stabilization for teens in immediate crisis. Inpatient settings focus on safety and medical stabilization rather than therapeutic treatment. Once a teen is stable, they typically transition to a lower level of care—such as residential treatment—where deeper healing can begin.
Why Timely Intervention Matters
The earlier teens receive the right level of support, the better their chances for lasting recovery. Trauma responses that go untreated can become deeply entrenched, leading to chronic anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, academic failure, or reliance on substances to cope. The developing brain doesn’t just remember trauma—it’s shaped by it. Early, appropriate intervention can interrupt these patterns before they define your teen’s future.
Depression in adolescence isn’t just sadness—it’s a disruption in how a young person sees themselves, their relationships, and their future. The earlier we intervene with the right kind of care, the more we can protect against long-term suffering and help teens reclaim the life they deserve.
– Dr. David E. Smith, Chair, Addiction Medicine & MQAC, Muir Wood
At Muir Wood, we partner closely with parents and caregivers from day one—providing clear communication, guidance on how to support your teen at home, and practical tools for navigating the challenges that arise after trauma. If you’re unsure whether your teen needs more support, our admissions team can help you understand your options and determine the right next step.
Recovery from trauma does not happen in isolation—it unfolds within the relationships and environments that matter most. Parents and caregivers are central to the healing process, engaged from the very first call through admissions and into aftercare. Our team provides guidance, education, and practical tools to help families create a nurturing, stable environment that supports their teen’s recovery from traumatic experiences.
Licensed clinicians lead structured family therapy sessions that focus on strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, and helping families respond effectively to trauma symptoms at home. Parents receive individualized coaching, learning strategies to reinforce coping skills, reduce household stress, and support emotional regulation, ensuring that the lessons of therapy extend beyond the treatment program. Through ongoing alumni and peer connections, teens maintain relationships with supportive peers and mentors, helping them sustain progress, motivation, and healthy coping behaviors after leaving the program.
We also collaborate closely with schools, outpatient providers, and psychiatry services to ensure a seamless transition back into daily life, protecting both academic progress and mental health well-being. Families benefit from trauma-informed guidance every step of the way, gaining insight into the effects of complex trauma and learning how to respond with empathy, consistency, and patience.
By actively involving families, Muir Wood Teen fosters a supportive ecosystem where healing is shared, resilience is strengthened, and lasting well-being is cultivated—not just for the teen, but for the entire family. Recovery becomes a collaborative journey, empowering both adolescents and their caregivers to rebuild trust, connection, and hope after trauma.
Accreditations
Our Approach to Treating Teen Trauma
Trauma doesn’t just affect what teens think—it shapes how they react, relate, and regulate. The patterns that bring teens into treatment—hypervigilance, emotional outbursts, withdrawal, numbness, or self-destructive behavior—are often the brain’s attempts to cope with overwhelming experiences it couldn’t process at the time. At Muir Wood, we understand that effective trauma treatment goes beneath the surface to address what’s driving these responses, not just manage the symptoms.
We believe all behaviors exist for a reason. A teen who shuts down, lashes out, or turns to substances isn’t broken—they’re trying to survive emotional pain in the only way they know how. Our role is to help teens develop healthier, more effective ways to manage thoughts, emotions, and triggers—building the capacity for self-regulation that supports lasting recovery.
Whether through our residential program or intensive outpatient program (IOP), each teen receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique experiences and needs, ensuring the right level of care for meaningful, sustained healing.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Teen Trauma
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps teens understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected—and how trauma may have distorted these patterns. Teens learn to identify and reframe negative thoughts related to their experiences, challenge beliefs that keep them stuck, and develop practical strategies for managing difficult emotions. CBT provides concrete skills for responding to triggers without spiraling into avoidance or self-destructive behavior.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
DBT focuses on four core areas essential for trauma recovery:
- Mindfulness: Developing awareness of thoughts, emotions, and body sensations as they arise, creating space to respond rather than react automatically
- Emotion Regulation: Learning to manage intense feelings—like fear, anger, or numbness—without becoming overwhelmed
- Distress Tolerance: Building the ability to get through painful moments, flashbacks, or triggering situations without reverting to harmful behaviors
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Strengthening communication and relationship skills to rebuild trust and reduce isolation
Together, these skills help teens notice moments of activation, pause before reacting, and choose more effective responses—gradually restoring a sense of control over their emotional lives.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one sessions provide a safe, confidential space where teens can process traumatic experiences at their own pace. Individual therapy builds trust and allows for personalized attention to each teen’s unique trauma history, triggers, and goals for healing. Therapists help teens make sense of what happened, work through unresolved pain, and apply therapeutic concepts to their specific experiences.
Group Therapy
Group sessions offer something individual therapy can’t: the power of shared experience. Many trauma survivors feel isolated, believing no one understands what they’ve been through. In group settings, they discover they’re not alone.
Some groups focus on teaching specific skills—like emotion regulation or distress tolerance—while others provide open space to share, process, and gain insight from peers and facilitators. Both help teens build the social connection and self-awareness essential for healing after trauma.
Family Therapy
Trauma affects the whole family—and lasting recovery requires the whole family’s involvement. At Muir Wood, family therapy is central to our approach, not an afterthought.
Weekly sessions help parents and caregivers understand how trauma has shaped their teen’s behavior, strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and create an environment at home that supports continued healing. Family therapy also addresses dynamics that may have contributed to past instability, helping everyone in the family contribute to a safer, more nurturing future.
Our family programming extends well beyond weekly therapy sessions:
- New family orientation in the first week
- Twice-weekly parent education classes
- Weekly parent support group with current and alumni families
- Weekly therapist-parent huddle calls to review progress and coordinate care
- 16-week post-treatment family coaching program
This depth of family involvement is one of the things that sets Muir Wood apart. We don’t just treat the teen—we equip the entire family with tools for lasting change.
Experiential Therapy & Mindfulness Activities
Trauma lives in the body as much as the mind. Art, journaling, yoga, movement, and outdoor activities allow teens to reconnect with their bodies, express emotions that are difficult to put into words, and experience moments of calm and safety. These activities build self-awareness, reduce stress, and offer healthy outlets that teens can continue using long after treatment.
Experiential therapy also uses structured challenges—like team-building activities or adventure outings—to help teens observe their automatic reactions in real time and practice new ways of responding. This live, in-the-moment learning reinforces what’s taught in traditional therapy settings and helps teens build confidence in their ability to handle difficult situations.
Academics Without Interruption
In residential treatment, teens continue their education through our WASC-accredited on-campus program. Our academic team coordinates with each student’s home school to keep coursework current, help teens rebuild confidence, and strengthen executive functioning skills like planning and time management. For many teens, small academic successes become powerful turning points in recovery. IOP is designed for after-school hours, allowing teens to remain in their regular school environment while receiving structured therapeutic support.
A Foundation for Lasting Change
By combining evidence-based therapies with a safe, supportive environment and deep family involvement, Muir Wood helps teens process traumatic experiences, develop real skills for managing triggers and emotions, and rebuild trust in themselves and others.
“The developing brain doesn’t just remember trauma—it’s shaped by it. When adolescents turn to drugs or alcohol, they’re often trying to self-regulate in the only way they know how.” — Dr. David E. Smith, Chair, Addiction Medicine & MQAC, Muir Wood
Treatment at Muir Wood helps teens move beyond survival mode—addressing their pain directly and building the self-regulation skills that support lasting recovery. Teens leave with greater self-awareness, healthier coping strategies, and the confidence to face life’s challenges—supported by a family that’s been equipped to sustain progress long after treatment ends.
