As a gender-separate program, Muir Wood’s safe, therapeutic environment provides a container for girls to explore sensitive underlying issues, without the obvious distraction of a mixed-gender setting. Many of the girls that come to Muir Wood struggle with issues related to body image, depression, teenage hormones, anxiety, attachment, and trauma. The female staff and gender-separate environment invites girls to explore issues they may not otherwise feel comfortable discussing in a mixed-gender setting, while also providing highly qualified role models who have been uniquely trained in the specialized residential treatment for girls. This transformational setting helps in the formation of healthy and supportive interactions with their peers, which is essential in girls residential treatment. When girls receive treatment from a credentialed and caring female staff, in a gender-separate setting, it is often much easier for them to remain open to therapy and willing to accept care.

Recognizing that many young girls who enter programs for troubled teen girls at Muir Wood have experienced trauma, the program at Muir Wood incorporates a trauma-informed approach. The highly qualified and experienced clinicians of the Muir Wood girls residential program have extensive training in the treatment of trauma. This includes our triple-board certified psychiatrist who was trained at Harvard and was a Clinical Fellow in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and is certified in trauma informed therapy, along with the Clinical Director who is certified in EMDR, an evidence-based best practice intervention for the treatment of PTSD.
The programs for troubled teens at Muir Wood was designed to provide a unique setting for girls to heal. From the idyllic campus set in the Sonoma countryside, to the highly credentialed female staff and trauma-informed approach that specifically addresses the needs of the girls in our care, the individualized and comprehensive program truly “sets the gold standard for gender-specific adolescent treatment.”
Our Residential Treatment Center For Girls
As a concerned parent or guardian, you have options to choose from when selecting residential treatment centers for teenage girls. When you explore Muir Wood, you will discover that we are a fully licensed and accredited facility. You will also learn that all of our clinical and therapy professionals are licensed and credentialed. Additionally, we have a board-certified psychiatrist and a registered nurse at our campus full time. While many residential treatment centers for girls have qualified staff, not every facility can offer the same high standards as Muir Wood holds.
Our residential treatment centers for troubled girls are nestled in the breathtakingly beautiful rolling hills of the Sonoma, California area. Surrounded by picturesque landscapes, and serene settings, teens find themselves beginning to feel a level of serenity and calm they might not have experienced in a very long time.
Additionally, our programs are tailored to provide structure and order, while still allowing our teens to enjoy themselves. We do this through adventure activities such as horseback riding or hiking. We also provide experiential activities such as art, crafts, and music therapies. Girls are provided with roomy living quarters with ample areas for storage and private bathrooms. Moreover, we focus on whole-body recovery, providing nutrient-dense meals, and fitness programs at our residential treatment centers for youth.
The Goal of Residential Treatment
Ultimately, the goal of residential treatment is to present a safe, nurturing environment that encourages teens to express themselves and learn how to face their challenges in ways that gives them the confidence to embrace sober living for teens. The purpose of residential treatment should also allow struggling young girls to understand their self-worth, and learn self-reliance. Additionally, treatment should coax awareness and growth in girls so that they may blossom in recovery today and far into adulthood.
In many instances, Muir Wood residential treatment center for girls might be considered a “first and last hope” opportunity. With our multifaceted approach, highly focused therapies, and a diverse range of behavioral health and recovery strategies, young girls are finally able to see hope for their future. In some cases, this hope is revealed for the first time in many troubled girls’ lives. We’ve seen first-hand how our residential treatment has revolutionized young girls struggling with substance abuse, or emotional disharmonies. We change young lives for the better so that our teens and their families can live full, satisfying, successful lives.
What We Treat
At Muir Wood girls residential treatment campuses, we provide solutions for a wide range of conditions. Our licensed, credentialed specialists are expertly trained to help teen girls recover from substance use disorders, as well as educate them about the short and long term effects of marijuana, prescription drugs, and/or alcohol. In addition to treating substance addictions, we also help teen girls overcome or manage a variety of mental health issues including trauma, depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and anger issues.
What to Expect at a Girls Residential Treatment
The moment you first contact our caring admissions team, we begin to assess your teenage girl’s situation, and we attentively listen to your needs and expectations. You can expect to speak with our professional staff so that we may fully evaluate and understand the right treatment for your teen, as well as determine the kind of support you and your family needs during this challenging time. After determining the level of care required, we will guide you through the admissions process.
Parents and legal guardians are also strongly urged to speak with our clinicians, doctors, therapists, administrators, and directors. This is hugely impactful when you have questions to ask a teenage addiction therapist, or you want to know more about the team players involved with your teen’s recovery.
Once your teen is admitted, our kind, caring team will conduct additional in-depth evaluations and talking sessions to truly get a clear view of her condition. From there, you can expect your teen to begin experiencing new activities, beautiful exposure to nature in the stunning Sonoma Valley area, and therapy sessions that are deeply transformative and effective for long-lasting recovery and behavioral healing.
When is Residential Treatment Appropriate?
It goes without saying that every teenage girl is different. Every family’s dynamic and environment in which a teen exists varies too. Given this, behavioral imbalances can be tricky to assess without extensive training in mental health diagnosis and treatment. Regardless, many parents opt to find independent solutions to help their teen manage the unique and often daunting challenges that go hand-in-hand with being a young female in today’s ever-changing world.
That said, many parents are often overwhelmed by independent attempts to help their teen. They may also feel defeated, as their efforts do not seem to be making a positive difference in their child’s life. In the worst case scenario, parents who “go it on their own” might be inadvertently exacerbating the issues, making the problems worse.
If this sounds familiar, then giving the gift of residential treatment to your teen is absolutely appropriate. Furthermore, residential treatment centers for girls are often the only ideal option if your teen is clearly struggling with substance use disorders. This is particularly true when dealing with teen girls rehab, because there are unknown variables such as withdrawals, or physical complications that are best treated by a professional to avoid long term health damage.
In addition to substance use disorders, teen girls who are violent to family members, schoolmates, or other people is a clear indication that residential treatment is a smart option. This solution is extremely effective at teaching anger management and helping teens to learn better coping techniques instead of using aggression or violence at home or in school.
Clearly, if your teen is exhibiting signs of self-harm, residential treatment is certainly a viable and appropriate choice. Moreover, if you sense or have evidence your teen is contemplating suicide, then immediate attention is needed, and residential treatment can be a life-saving decision you can make for your teen.
Our Mission and Purpose at Muir Wood
The founder of Muir Wood, Scott Sowle, has always had a vision to provide troubled teens with the care, treatment and help they need to live long, fulfilling lives. His vision continues to evolve, but the emphasis on compassion and kindness remains the cornerstone of all treatments provided to our clients.
Our mission and purpose at Muir Wood is simple. We are ever striving to be of service. Our goal is to be a catalyst for positive and lasting change. By inspiring and instilling the importance of mental health to those who seek treatment at Muir Wood, we know that we are playing a vital role in stabilizing families. We aim to positively impact the future by uplifting our youth so they may live better, healthier lives.
Why Choose Our Residential Treatment Center For Teenage Girls
As a parent or guarding seeking help for your teen girl, we know you have choices. If you investigate our campus, meet our staff, and research who we are – you will know we are the crystal-clear choice your teenager needs to experience a new way of life via behavioral modification and rehabilitation.
From our founders and therapists, to our directors and administrative staff – we are all invested in providing comprehensive care for your teen. Moreover, we are committed to supporting your family during this transitional time of behavioral reform and rehabilitation. That’s why we provide ongoing support during residential treatment for family members. We also provide multiple levels of care and maintenance long after our clients leave our residential treatment center.
Furthermore, when you are researching residential treatment for teenage girls, you want to be sure she will be cared for by qualified, licensed, professional healthcare professionals. As mentioned, we provide this, and so much more.
Our campus grounds are situated on sensationally beautiful lands that are both inviting and healing for our teens. We also provide much-needed structure, order and routine that are all critical for building the scaffolding for long-term recovery.
At Muir Wood, we believe in whole healing. That means we look after every teen’s physical fitness with workout sessions, and fun activities that are great for the body such as hiking, horseback riding and other engaging outdoor events. We also provide your child with nutrient-dense meals that help heal the body from within, while still tasting great.
Without a holistic approach to treatment and healing, we only have a half-chances of sealing in success for recovery. Because we are 100% focused on the whole essence of your teen, as well as keenly attentive to all facets of your child’s wellbeing, Muir Wood is the clear choice for safe, effective, long-term recovery for your teen.
Youth Residential Treatment FAQs
Every situation is different for teens struggling with their identity, substance use disorders, depression, or any manner of behavioral health imbalances. However, there are distinct situations in which treatment is not only warranted – it may be life-saving. For instance, if your teen’s battle with substance use disorder is worsening and there may be threat of long-term physical or mental damage, this is an ideal time to commit a teen girl. Additionally, if your teen exhibits signs of, or talks about suicide, this is also a compelling time to seek treatment for her.
There are other conditions that may motivate you to commit your teen girl to treatment that might (on the surface) seem less intense. For example, your teen girl may recognize a problem, and feel she needs residential treatment. It might not happen that often, but if your teen asks for help, that’s an outstanding time to commit to your teen.
Ultimately, as her guardian, you are responsible for her wellbeing, recovery, and future. Ensure her future is a bright one. Provide treatment for her now rather than later because later might prove to be too late in some instances.
The uniqueness and gender-specific conditions of Muir Wood provides a safe, effective environment for teen girls. We have the opportunity to work directly with your teen, devoting time for therapy, sharing, learning, activities and more – all focused to encourage balance, self-confidence and independence in your child.
Our residential treatment programs are good for teen girls because we provide a non-threatening, engaging, encouraging environment where she is able to express herself freely. Moreover, our limited, small groups make for a safe place to learn and grow as well as form strong relationships that last a lifetime.
Finally, our personalized approach and welcoming residential treatment center will enable your teen to gain solid footing for every future step she takes in tackling life’s challenges along the way. Essentially, we provide the right coping methods, tools and resources that will help her adopt a life-affirming path while in treatment that will last long into her adulthood – essentially equipping her to conquer all of her dreams and aspirations today and beyond.
The cost of reliable, conclusive behavioral treatment can range widely depending upon what kind of solutions are required and what kind of issues need to be addressed. For example, you may be able to find affordable drug rehab for teen girls, but is the facility life-encouraging? Does it establish results-focused treatments that ensure long-term recovery? Is it a facility that your teen girl can grow, thrive and learn to live self-assuredly and freely? These and a slew of other questions should be factored in when determining a budget for your teen girl’s mental health treatment.
With Muir Wood, we believe in providing you and your teen girl with accessible treatment with affordable options. For instance, we are an in-network provider. That means we accept most major insurances such as Anthem, Aetna, Cigna, and Kaiser so you can offset the overall cost of residential treatment for teen girls in need. In some cases, we will work with you and your family by setting up payment plans and our administrative team will make every effort to appraise you of financing options so you can facilitate the mental healthcare solutions your teen deserves.
The answer to this question will vary depending upon which treatment facility you admit your teen. At Muir Wood, we strive to think of every possible need for your child during her stay. We provide essentials such as towels, pillows, and clean linens. Additionally, we make sure every teen has sufficient hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. If your teen has skin sensitivities, or needs specific toiletries such as special face cleansers, she is welcome to pack those for her stay at Muir Wood.
While we make every effort to equip your teen with everything she needs during her stay, there are a few things she should have for this new journey in her life. Please pack comfortable clothes for at least 10 days. We have on-site laundry facilities so teens can wash and dry their clothes for long-term residential stays. In addition, be sure your teen packs uber-comfortable shoes that will be functional and supportive during excursions such as hiking in the hills or going to invigorating workout sessions.
Teens are encouraged to bring items that hold strong sentimental value, such as photographs, a small stuffed animal, or a small memento that might be meaningful to her. However, as with most residential treatment centers, electronics are not allowed. Therefore, wireless devices, cell phones, laptops, cameras, and tablets are not allowed.
One of the worst things a teen could encounter upon returning home from treatment is a mountain of schoolwork waiting for her, or being penalized for non-attendance at school. Because we take a holistic, all-encompassing approach to your teen’s mental health and wellbeing, we have established a Learning Center at our campus that allows your child to do schoolwork while attending long-term residential treatment.
Our fully-equipped Learning Center is open Monday through Friday, and teens are encouraged to utilize all of our supplies and equipment in order to perform schoolwork in a timely manner. We also have multi-course, supplemental education that is provided by instructors who have a masters-level education and are credentialed by the state of California. This is pivotal in keeping your teen current in schoolwork. Furthermore, our on-site Learning Centers help contribute to the fact that 75% of our teens graduate high school and go on to college.
At Muir Wood, we want your teen to have a “home away from home” experience, but we also want to present her with stunning scenery that both inspires and revitalizes her. Our campuses are located on acres of rolling hills, with grandiose views and rejuvenating sunsets. Our aesthetic avoids clinical sterile rooms. Instead, we have comfortable, homey rooms and shared areas that conjure a welcoming vibe.
Two teens share a roomy bedroom that is equipped with two beds and an en-suite bathroom. All the bedding and linens are clean and pristine quality. Each room has closets and plenty of room for storage. Rooms are also tastefully decorated and furnished with pleasing pieces such as wardrobes, nightstands, and desks.