Clinically reviewed by
Dr. Ian Wolds Psy.D.
Last reviewed on July 16, 2026
When a teen is struggling with their mental health, it can impact the quality of their daily life, including school and relationships. For parents, knowing how to support their teen can be challenging and emotionally overwhelming. At Muir Wood Teen’s Riverside campus, we support adolescents aged 12–17 on their journey to healing and growth through personalized, compassionate residential care. Our team of licensed clinicians understands the complexities of teen behavioral health and co-occurring challenges, crafting personalized treatment plans that build on each teen’s strengths and address their unique needs.
Our program integrates individual therapy, group sessions, and family involvement within a safe, welcoming environment. Through our WASC-accredited academic program, teens receive the support they need to stay on track with their studies while addressing emotional challenges.
With a trauma-informed approach, we use gentle, evidence-based methods such as art therapy, mindfulness practices, and life skills coaching to nurture emotional and practical growth. When appropriate, medication management is incorporated to support mental clarity and balance, ensuring a whole approach to care.
Families are valued partners in this healing process. We guide and empower you with effective communication tools, boundary-setting strategies, and ways to deepen emotional connections. As your teen progresses, we create a personalized discharge and aftercare plan—whether transitioning to our supportive Intensive Outpatient Program or connecting with trusted community resources—we help support the next step in healing.
Most teens stay at Muir Wood for 45–60 days, depending on their clinical needs. Some may benefit from up to 90 days of treatment. Our program provides teens with the time and structure needed to gain insight, develop coping skills, and restore confidence before returning home.
Jeanine’s son had been through several addiction and mental health residential treatment programs before finding the help he needed at Muir Wood.
Katie describes her son’s descent into a disturbed, angry existence. Things came to a head when he started failing out of his junior year of high school. Then Katie found Muir Wood.
Wes M. was a client during Covid. Now he’s a recovery counselor at a treatment center in North Dakota. He’s a wonderful success story and we could not be more proud! Watch the podcast.
Scarlet’s Story
Muir Wood alumni Scarlet shares her journey from crisis to self-discovery — and the version of herself she’s proud to be today.
Scarlet’s Story
Muir Wood alumni Scarlet shares her journey from crisis to self-discovery — and the version of herself she’s proud to be today.
Scarlet’s Story
Muir Wood alumni Scarlet shares her journey from crisis to self-discovery — and the version of herself she’s proud to be today.
Scarlet’s Story
Muir Wood alumni Scarlet shares her journey from crisis to self-discovery — and the version of herself she’s proud to be today.
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.
The investment in both the client and family is superior;the communication from all staff has been quick and thorough. We have all gained skills to support the next steps.
DM
Jul 2026
I can't express enough gratitude for the Muir Wood Teen Treatment program. My son stayed there for 38 days, and it completely transformed his life. Not only did his mental health improve dramatically, but his lifestyle, food habits, and daily routine all changed for the better.
LA
Jul 2026
We appreciate all of the support and care our son received. We feel that the team went over and beyond to help him succeed. We feel our son has accomplished a lot. As parents we learned a great deal and will continue to attend the parent classes.
MM
Jul 2026
The therapist was amazing in helping my daughter heal and make progress. The strict rules and phone structure was very helpful
DL
Jul 2026
The staff at Muir supported our 15 year old son with professional expertise and with heart. We are very grateful for all the coping skills our son learned at Muir, and we observe him applying these skills to maintain his sobriety.
GH
Jul 2026
My child made wonderful progress and had so much support
LE
Jul 2026
I saw the positive change in my son
SM
Jul 2026
Got a lot of knowledge from some of the parent group meetings
AR
Jul 2026
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
At Muir Wood’s Riverside campus, residential mental health care provides more than structure—it offers hope and healing. With professional support and quiet surroundings, teens discover a peaceful space to reflect and reconnect with their inner strength. Our warm and caring environment is designed to support transformation, equipping young hearts and minds with the tools they need to flourish at home, in school, and in life. Every aspect of our program is thoughtfully crafted to nurture lasting growth that extends beyond their time with us.
At our Riverside campus, teens receive 24/7 care and supervision in small, home-like residences. Licensed clinicians and caring staff are available at all times to ensure safety, accountability, and consistent support throughout treatment.
Recovery is all about consistency. Each day incorporates therapy, school, and healthy routines that help teens manage emotions, practice responsibility, and rebuild self-confidence.
Riverside’s serene setting and mountain views provide a natural backdrop for reflection and growth. Residences feel safe and inviting, not clinical—providing teens the opportunity to relax, open up, and embrace healing.
Smaller peer groups allow teens the opportunity to form meaningful friendships with others who understand their experiences. These moments create a feeling of community, showing teens they are not isolated in their mental health challenges.
Our Riverside residential treatment program creates a nurturing environment where teens feel safe to connect, heal, and find a new beginning.
At Muir Wood, we believe that healing occurs through meaningful connection. Each teen’s journey is supported by a dedicated team of psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, and educators who specialize in adolescent mental health. Collaborating daily, they provide care that combines proven, evidence-based practices with a personalized approach—focusing on the whole person, not just the diagnosis. Our team works to build trust, teach essential coping strategies, and help teens develop the confidence and self-awareness necessary for lasting growth beyond treatment.
Nestled in the peaceful Orange Grove district of Riverside, our campuses offer teens a tranquil space to breathe and families peace of mind knowing support is nearby. Each day is filled with purpose, combining therapy, academic sessions, and engaging activities—and evenings are spent in cozy, home-like residences. These environments provide compassionate care, consistent routines, and quiet outdoor spaces to help teens feel grounded, focused, and prepared to embrace growth.
Residential Treatment — Riverside, CA
Mental health and substance use care for teen girls on a beautiful, spacious campus situated near Arlington Heights’ historic groves.
Residential Treatment — Riverside, CA
Mental health and substance use care for teen boys near Arlington Heights, situated on a lush, open property surrounded by citrus heritage.
Someone from our admissions team is standing by to help you find the best treatment for your teen.
Routine supports relief. Our Riverside campus blends therapy, learning, and connection within a consistent rhythm that helps teens manage their mental health and regain balance and self-trust.
Programming, offered 3–4 afternoons per week, includes:
*Some individual and family therapy sessions will take place Tuesday and Friday between 4:00-7:00 PM.
Healing requires lived experiences that happen outside of a therapy room. At Muir Wood Teen in Riverside, experiential and wellness activities provide adolescents the space to explore, create, and connect with themselves in profound ways. Through art, mindfulness, and outdoor activities, teens learn to manage their emotions, boost their confidence, and reconnect with happiness in everyday life.
Art and music sessions provide teens with a way to process complex emotions related to their mental health, allowing them to explore their feelings through creativity and self-awareness.
Guided mindfulness practices help teens stay in the present, helping them identify and work through thoughts and sensations related to their mental health. This practice provides tools that can be carried into school, home, and life after treatment.
Through on-campus outdoor activities and adventure challenges, teens build resilience, improve their physical health, and create meaningful friendships in a supportive, structured setting.
Journaling, group challenges, and reflective activities help teens turn their insights into positive behaviors, developing accountability and coping skills to manage their mental health needs.
Each activity helps teens manage their emotions and build a stronger sense of self. Alongside therapy, these experiences encourage balance, resilience, and meaningful connections.
At Muir Wood Teen in Riverside, we believe that recovery is rooted in strong relationships. That’s why family involvement is an integral part of every stage of care. Parents and caregivers participate in weekly family therapy sessions, receive consistent updates from the clinical team, and acquire practical tools to minimize conflict and deepen connection. Together, families learn to improve communication, respond to emotions with empathy, and establish routines that foster stability at home.
Our support continues beyond treatment completion. We provide families with follow-up care, including 16 weeks of parent coaching that focuses on real-world application. This allows teens and families to remain connected through alumni outreach, ensuring they feel supported as they transition back into daily life. The goal is more than just symptom management—it’s fostering a family system equipped to maintain emotional health and resilience together.
Each teen’s treatment plan is tailored to their unique emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. Our clinicians use an integrated, trauma-informed approach that addresses both the symptoms and the underlying causes of distress—while strengthening family relationships along the way. Treatment is specialized for adolescents experiencing challenges such as ADHD, trauma, disordered eating, and other co-occurring conditions. The result is a focused, supportive program that helps teens build practical skills and confidence they can carry into everyday life.
Helps teens understand unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthier coping strategies that support their mental health.
Develop skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and healthy communication—helping teens manage intense feelings and handle daily challenges.
Supports teens in making mindful, values-based choices to focus on what matters most, even in tough and uncertain times.
Creates a sense of stability, trust in oneself, and emotional security, all while avoiding re-traumatization, so teens can heal and work through challenging experiences at their own pace.
Through art, movement, and guided mindfulness, teens can ease anxiety, become more aware of their bodies, and enhance their focus and ability to express themselves.
Offers a safe space to explore emotions, learn stress management, and develop daily routines that support wellness.
Involves parents and caregivers to improve communication, rebuild trust, and help new skills easily transfer from treatment to home.
At Muir Wood Teen in Riverside, support continues even after your teen leaves our residential program. Our team partners with families to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing recovery. Post-treatment services may include:
Step down to our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for ongoing mental health support
Referrals to individual or psychiatric care options
Alumni check-ins and virtual teen support groups to support ongoing progress
A 16-week parent aftercare class at no cost allows parents to further learn about communication and stability
With beautiful campuses across California, we offer residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs in Petaluma and Penngrove in Sonoma County, Clovis in the Central Valley, and the historic Orange Grove District of Riverside County.
For adolescents with primary mental health and co-occurring substance use needs, days are structured around therapy, education, and restorative outdoor experiences. Evenings in supportive, home-like residences allow teens to reset and integrate what they’re learning—building consistency and trust across the entire treatment experience.
An after-school program offered 3–4 days per week in Petaluma and Clovis for teens with primary mental health needs or dual diagnosis. Designed for those stepping down from residential treatment or stepping up from weekly outpatient therapy, it includes group therapy, weekly individual sessions, and family involvement to support stability at home, in school, and in daily life.
Residential treatment offers 24/7 clinical support and structured care for teens who require more help than outpatient services. At Muir Wood Teen in Riverside, adolescents reside on campus, following a daily routine that combines therapy, academics, recreation, and family participation—all within a safe environment focused on emotional healing and growth.
If your teen’s anxiety, depression, or emotional struggles are overwhelming or not improving with weekly therapy, residential treatment might be the right fit. Signs include mood swings, isolation, self-harm, panic attacks, or trouble functioning at school or home. Our admissions team can help you decide if this level of care is the best option.
The benefits of residential treatment for adolescents include around-the-clock clinical support, structured routines that promote stability, a safe and supportive environment for healing, personalized care tailored to individual needs, opportunities to build life skills and healthy habits, and family involvement to strengthen relationships. It also provides a dedicated space for teens to focus on recovery, develop coping strategies, and gain confidence, which can lead to lasting emotional and behavioral improvements.
We focus on treating adolescent mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, trauma and PTSD, OCD, ADHD, disordered eating, and self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Every teen receives a personalized treatment plan that addresses their mental health needs and any academic or family challenges they may face.
