Muir Wood Teen Treatment is a leader in adolescent mental and behavioral health that offers both outpatient and residential treatment programs in the state of California. Our programs are guided by clinical teams that specialize in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. We believe that treating the whole person—both their behavioral health and underlying mental state—leads to better outcomes for life-long healing. Meet our staff of therapists and psychiatrists for teens.

“When we treat teens in isolation—separating their mental health, substance use, and school struggles—we miss the full picture. A systems of care approach brings it all together. It’s how we move from managing symptoms to truly helping young people heal.”
–Dr. David E. Smith, Chair, Addiction Medicine & MQAC, Muir Wood

Learn more about what we treat and explore our treatment programs for teen boys and teen girls.

Our Story

Muir Wood Teen Treatment emerged from the founding team’s vision to advocate for the underserved and began as a specialized program dedicated to boys adolescent treatment in northern California. Drawing from over three decades of experience in mental health and substance use treatment, that team envisioned a program that would address the unique challenges faced by teens and their families. More than a decade since its founding, Muir Wood stands as a testament to that original vision, providing residential and outpatient treatment programming specifically for teen boys and girls experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

Muir Wood operates residential treatment campuses across Petaluma, Penngrove, Clovis, and Riverside, California, and provides intensive outpatient services in our founding city of Petaluma, accommodating nearly 100 teens state-wide.

Meet the Muir Wood Teen Treatment leadership team.

Tailored Teen Treatment Programs

With a compassionate staff who emphasize kindness and compassion over confrontation and control, Muir Wood helps teens thrive in an increasingly complex world. We guide our young clients and their loved ones through mental health and substance use challenges. Our work aims to facilitate emotional self-regulation, proactive health management, and personal growth.

Our teen treatment programs include:

In comfortable, supervised, and structured environments, teens explore and process sensitive issues and learn to manage mental health and substance use disorders. The Muir Wood environment fosters strong peer relationships essential for recovery, many of which develop into enduring friendships. Our full-time psychiatrists and nursing team enhance our program’s ability to accurately assess and diagnose client conditions, continuously adapt treatment plans, and manage medications when applicable.

Learn more about the conditions we treat.

Comprehensive Residential Treatment

Our residential treatment programs integrate many evidence-based clinical modalities and support programs, including:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Adolescent psychiatry
Nursing support
Multiple psychotherapeutic approaches
Experiential therapies
Academic support
Aftercare programming for parents and teens

Family involvement is a critical component in Muir Wood’s programming. Participation in weekly family education, counseling, and therapeutic sessions is required. Learn more here.

Muir Wood Learning Centers

We integrate academic support into treatment through the Muir Wood Learning Centers—on-campus supplemental education programs for grades 7 to 12. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), our programs employ experienced, credentialed educational professionals. We offer flexible academic options that allow our teen clients to maintain continuity with their home schools while they focus on healing. For clients who have finished high school or are not currently enrolled, we can provide career choice support, education in music and the arts, or support preparing for college, community college, or trade school admission.

Accreditation and Accessibility

Muir Wood is accredited by The Joint Commission, long considered the gold standard in healthcare provider accreditation.

We’re also committed to making teen substance use and mental health treatment accessible to as many families as is possible. We strive to remove financial barriers to quality care by being an in-network provider for most major insurance companies including these:

Aetna
Anthem
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Blue Shield of CA
Cigna
Halcyon/Simple Behavioral
Kaiser Permanente
Magellan
MHN
Optum/UHC
TRICARE

Tailored Therapeutic Modalities

At Muir Wood, we believe in treating the whole teen, not just addressing symptoms. Our individualized approach allows us to provide personalized attention to each client, which has proven highly effective for many behavioral health conditions. We utilize a variety of evidence-based therapeutic modalities. Based on our initial and ongoing assessments, we are able to provide services that include:

Psychotherapy: Our results-focused psychotherapy sessions (CBT, DBT, etc.), both group, individual, and family, offer vital coping skills, mindfulness-based practices, and social support.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): When appropriate, and with parental approval, we offer medications used in conjunction with psychotherapeutic sessions as a way to stabilize and support clients through full recovery.
Psychiatry and Medication Management: Though our experienced medical team prefers to avoid medical intervention whenever possible, closely monitored medication management is a valid tool in some instances. All teens on medication management programs do so in tandem with other therapeutic approaches, and with parental involvement.
Comprehensive Family Programming: A wide range of support for teens and their families during and after treatment.
Experiential Activities: Creative activities such as music, meditation, and yoga to facilitate expression and connection. These practices boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment.
Adventure Therapy: Supervised adventures instill a sense of belonging and enhance problem-solving, communication, leadership, and healthy social skills.
Fitness and Nutrition: Healthy fitness activities and on-site chef-prepared meals nourish teens from the inside out.
12-Step Program Exposure: For teens recovering from substance use, introduction to young people’s 12-Step groups provides structure and social support for managing life challenges.

Get Started Today at Muir Wood

Muir Wood is uniquely qualified to effectively treat mental health and substance use issues in teens. Our teen treatment approach has been transforming the lives of young people and family “systems” for over a decade. We consistently make every effort to provide families and their teens with the best possible care and support.

Let us show you how your teen and family can live happy, purposeful, and fulfilling lives. Contact us here or call 866-705-0828 to speak with an admissions specialist to learn if Muir Wood is a good fit for your teen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Muir Wood Teen Treatment?

Muir Wood Teen Treatment provides individualized, compassionate, evidence-based care for teens ages 12–17 facing mental health, trauma, and substance use challenges. With beautiful campuses across California, our Joint Commission-accredited, gender-specific residential and outpatient programs focus on healing the whole teen—emotionally, clinically and academically. Muir Wood Teen Treatment provides individualized, compassionate, and developmentally appropriate care for teens ages 12–17 struggling with mental health or substance use challenges.

Where are your treatment centers located?

Our serene, distraction-free campuses are located across California, serving teenages and their families nationwide. Our locations offer a peaceful, natural setting for teens to build resilience, practice mindfulness, and focus on healing. They are purposefully designed to help your teen regain confidence and embrace positive change. We have both residential and outpatient (IOP) locations in Northern California, (Petaluma), Central California (Clovis) and Southern California (Riverside).

What types of care do you offer?

Residential Treatment: 24/7 structured, on-campus care
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Flexible daytime treatment while living at home

What makes Muir Woods different from other treatment facilities?

Muir Wood stands apart for its specialized, evidence-based care designed exclusively for teens. Our expert clinical team—including board-certified adolescent psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and nursing staff—is trained to treat mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders with compassion and clinical excellence. Our gender-specific campuses provide a safe, nurturing environment where teens can focus on healing without distraction. Each residence is home-like and surrounded by natural beauty, purposefully designed to foster emotional safety, self-esteem, and personal growth. Unlike many programs, teens continue their education through individualized learning plans with our WASC-accredited academic support, helping them stay on track during recovery. Family therapy and support are woven into every step of the journey, because we know that lasting recovery involves healing the entire family—not just the individual teen.

Do you accept insurance?

We accept most major health insurances. We are in-network with: Kaiser Permanente, Optum, United Healthcare, Anthem, Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Magellan, TRICARE, and Health Net Federal Services. We will also work with most other major insurers on an out-of-network, case-by-case basis. We currently do not accept Medicaid or Medi-Cal.

How long do teens stay at Muir Wood Teen Treatment?

The average length of stay is around 45 days in residential care. Duration depends on clinical progress and aftercare needs.

What if my teen hasn’t used substances—can they still be admitted?

Yes. We treat teens with or without substance use challenges. We specialize in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and co-occurring conditions.

How quickly can we start?

Most families can begin the intake process within days. Call us to check availability: (866) 705-0828.

How do I take the next step and start the admissions process?

Call 888-705-0828 or contact us for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll verify insurance, assess your teen’s needs, and walk you through next steps.

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