Muir Wood Adolescent Campus

Boys Residential Treatment Program Overview

For teens who struggle with mental health and substance use disorders, residential treatment can be a life-changing experience. In our highly structured residential treatment center for boys, more time and attention is invested in improving the accuracy of assessments. This includes psychiatric evaluations and neuropsychological testing which can lead to improved treatment outcomes. The clinical team at Muir Wood’s residential treatment center uses the results of these assessments to develop treatment plans that best address each teen’s individual needs, ensuring effective treatment and the chances of a sustained recovery.

Because of the small number of teens admitted to Muir Wood, our residential treatment center for teen boys is highly individualized. This enables us to be extremely effective at treating not only substance abuse, but also a wide array of underlying mental health issues that often accompany it. It is these co-occurring issues – such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or poor self-esteem that often lead to substance abuse. Emotional instability can often manifest into teens self-medicating with alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs, or other substances. In many cases, alcohol, illicit drugs or prescription drugs’ long term effects can be devastating. That is why our holistic approach to care extends beyond our residential treatment for teens. Our treatment program includes:

What We Treat

As a nationally recognized boys rehab center, Muir Wood treats a myriad of behavioral health concerns for your teen. We offer boys drug rehab, and serve as a teen boys alcohol rehab center.  Additionally, Muir Wood addresses an array of other behavioral concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, aggressive behavior, self-worth issues and identity struggles, communication challenges, and more.

Ulike some boys homes for troubled boys that are one-dimensional with purely clinical strategies, Muir Wood believes in multifaceted treatments for troubled teens.  For example, our adventure therapies are overseen by a master-level licensed therapist and are designed to bring healing elements of nature into your teens’ recovery journey.  Adventure therapies in the majestic heart of Sonoma Valley, CA, offer an exciting, revitalizing outlet that also helps young men develop new skills, improve decision-making abilities as well as boosts self confidence via solidifying a sense of accomplishment.

Other innovative programs at Muir Wood include experiential therapy.  This is a revolutionary therapy that introduces various activities such as animal care, role-playing, arts, music or craft making.  While these activities might seem like fun on the surface, the way our licensed therapists present these creative projects nurtures emotional growth and encourages behavioral harmony. Experiential therapy is effective for troubled boys because it recognizes successes, helps teens cope with disappointment, fosters patience, and responds to key elements directly linked to self-awareness and self-esteem.  

We have an assemblage of different therapies that seek to nourish, and positively impact your teenage boy in a variety of ways. Other therapies Muir Wood provides include, but are not limited to:

  • Healthy focus on fitness and nutrition
  • Medically assisted treatments
  • Psychological and medication management therapies
  • Psychotherapy
  • 12-step programs
  • GeneSight testing and Pharmacogenomics therapies
  • Group and individual therapy sessions

Furthermore, we reinforce lessons and skills boys learn during therapy long after the term for residential treatment for teens is completed. For example, we offer ongoing programs such as AA for teens, which allows peers to meet and discuss challenges, celebrate milestones and have an open dialogue in a safe, supportive environment with other teens.

What to Expect at a Boys Residential Treatment Center

When you search for residential treatment centers for youth near me, you might not be fully aware of what to expect from your search results.  While every boys drug rehab center or boys drug treatment program differs, you can expect the highest quality support and behavioral care for your teen at Muir Wood Trusted Teen Treatment.

From the moment you make that first contact with our caring admissions team, we begin to assess you and your teenager’s situation. You can expect to speak with our comprehensive screen team where we can honestly produce a constructive dialogue about current struggles, potential solutions and we will guide you through the intake process for your teen.  

We also strongly encourage all parents and guardians to visit our campuses so that they fully absorb the care and commitment invested in their teen’s mental wellbeing. Physically visiting our centers allows parents to meet the Muir Wood clinical team, directors, doctors, and treatment staff as well as know exactly what to expect from our residential treatment for boys.

When your teen is admitted, you can anticipate him to undergo an all-encompassing evaluation. He will also encounter a clean, organized, wholesome environment at a superiorly equipped and pristine campus.  Our campus is nestled among the stunning hills of Sonoma Valley, California, which render breathtaking views and encourage tranquility as well as mental wholeness. Your child can also expect to be treated to highly nutritious meals, sessions focused on physical fitness, and plenty of recreational activities.

Depending upon the individualized treatment plan you and our Muir Wood team tailors for your teen, you may expect any one of the aforementioned treatments to be administered by our fully licensed, caring mental health professionals.  Whether medically assisted plans, or intense psychotherapy – you can rely on Muir Wood to attentively administer the comprehensive treatment your teenager deserves to live a full, successful, rewarding life today and far into the future. 

When is Residential Treatment Appropriate?

Behavioral challenges in teen boys can often be difficult to diagnose without proper mental health experience and training.  It can be incredibly distressing for both parents or guardians and their children to stay supportive while addressing inappropriate or unacceptable behavior.  Given this, parents often struggle with the decision to seek out residential treatment for teenagers.

Compounding the problem, parents experience tremendous frustration when they try to tackle a teen’s mental health issues on their own.  For instance, many parents may opt for teen alcohol detox at home, but soon discover the outcomes are lackluster, short-lived, or even harmful due to the possibility of withdrawals, which can be life-threatening in some cases.

If a parent’s efforts to assist troubled teens consistently end in failure – or worse – result in exacerbating the situation, it’s time to seek alternative solutions.  In cases when teenage boys are clearly in duress due to substance abuse, this is the “perfect storm” in which residential treatment for boys is the answer and safe harbor in the midst of addiction and emotional maelstroms. 

Furthermore, if your child or ward is exhibiting hostility or lashing out with violence, this is another “red flag” prompting you to seek residential rehabilitation.  Other symptoms such as aggressive defiance, odd impulsivity, unusual isolations and withdrawals may also clue parents into seeking residential treatment options.  Lastly, but most importantly, parents should consider residential therapy appropriate if their teenager is displaying suicidal tendencies, talking about ending their lives, or threatening suicide.

Why Choose Our Residential Treatment Program For Teen Boys

Unlike other boys rehab centers or boys schools for troubled boys, Muir Wood is a safe haven, surrounded by the serenity of nature, the structure needed for recovery, and attentive professionals who authentically care about your teenager’s wellbeing.  

Our founders and therapists have devoted themselves to crafting a personalized recovery process uniquely designed for your child.  We take heed to your child’s specific needs, and respond to them with thoughtfully blended therapies, activities, and behavioral solutions.  

At Muir Wood, we believe in addressing all the moving parts when it comes to your teenager’s full recovery.  That means we offer family support so all members are buoyed and informed during the recovery process.  We also provide innovative programs such as adventure and experiential therapies that work to bolster other therapies.  In reality, recovery is rarely achieved with just one therapy.  It takes a culmination of many solutions and a full-spectrum of approaches to provide your teenage treatment that is both effective and achieves long-term success.

Why Parents Choose Muir Wood

Youth Residential Treatment FAQs

When Should You Seek Residential Treatment for a Teen?

If your teenager is exhibiting aggressive behavior and/or violence towards you, other family members, schoolmates, or to himself – this is a clear indication that residential treatment should be sought for the safety and wellness of your teen and others.  Additionally, if your teen is clearly suffering from the devastating effects of addiction such as alcoholism, or drug abuse, residential treatment is an appropriate and life-saving option.  Lastly, if you suspect your teenager is contemplating suicide, then committing him is a wise and responsible decision.

Why Would a Teenager Go Into Residential Care?

Residential care is unique, in that it isolates the teen so that he is the complete focus in therapy.  Very often, struggling teens who are removed from an environment and placed into residential care go through a progressive blossoming.  This is because residential treatment programs such as utilized at Muir Wood present an element of hope to troubled teens.  When teens get to a place where nothing seems “fixable” – residential treatment provides structure, stability, hope, and resources for teens to take on their mental health struggles with confidence and authority.  What’s more, teens learn coping tools they can utilize when they return to their previous environment.

Are Adolescent Residential Treatment Programs Good For Teens?

As mentioned, residential treatment allows teens a fresh start, in that they are exposed to a completely new environment.  In this way, residential treatment is very good for teens.  It provides a safe, structured environment that gives teens freedom to feel vulnerable and express themselves.  Feeling that security to “be as they are” – teens learn invaluable skills as well as priceless aspects of themselves and their lives.  Ultimately, residential treatment can help teens to respect, love, and value themselves which is hugely important in any kind of recovery situation.

How Much Does Residential Treatment Cost For Teens?

When you consider the overwhelming cost of drug and alcohol abuse and the devastating price of the health or even life of your teenager – the cost of residential treatment for teens is priceless.  The financial cost of residential treatment for your teen will vary according to which residential center and service you choose.  Fortunately, Muir Wood makes residential treatment affordable and accessible.  We are accredited by the Joint Commission, America’s accrediting body. This means that we are an in-network provider.  We work with insurance carriers such as Cigna, Kaiser, Anthem, and Aetna so you can offset the cost of residential treatment with your insurance provider when turning to Muir Wood for your teenager’s mental health wellness. Furthermore, Muir Wood offers case-by-case financing options and payment plans for families who do not have access to insurance.

What Is The Difference Between RTF and RTC?

RTF stands for Residential Treatment Facility.  RTC stands for Residential Treatment Center.  While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinctions according to the laws in each state in the US.  For instance, an RTF is typically subscribed if a teen is court-mandated to receive rehab or mental reform if he has been committed of a crime.  RTFs typically offer intense treatments, and are often more clinical in nature.  An RTC, on the other hand, provides a smaller treatment environment, typically in a home, or cottage, which allows teens to feel more comfortable than in an institutional setting.  RTCs usually accept small groups of troubled teens which allows more personalized attention for better recovery.

What Should Your Teen Bring to Residential Treatment?

Muir Wood provides the majority of items your teen will need while in treatment, including pillows, towels, and linens.  We also provide essential toiletries such as shampoo, soap, and toothpaste.  However, if your teen prefers a certain brand of basic hygiene products, he may bring that to residential treatment.  Parents should make sure teens pack comfortable clothing, enough to last around ten days.  Muir Wood has laundry facilities, and parents can always bring more clothes during visitation if necessary.  Be sure your teen has supportive, comfortable shoes such as hiking boots or sneakers because teens will be active outdoors playing games of basketball, taking hikes, going horseback riding, etc.  Teens in residential treatment at Muir Wood are also allowed to bring sentimental items such as photographs.  All electronic devices such as laptops, iPads, cameras, or mobile phones are not allowed.

How will being in treatment impact school attendance and school work?

When you choose Muir Wood for your child, there is no need to worry about school attendance or keeping up with school work while your teen is undergoing residential treatment. We have an on-site Learning Center that operates year-round, Monday through Friday.  The Learning Center provides multi-course, supplemental education that is provided by masters-level, state of California credentialed tutors and teachers.  This ensures your teen will never fall behind in their academic studies while receiving the life-changing treatment they deserve.

What are the sleeping arrangements like?

Sending your teen away to a residential treatment center might be stressful, but rest assured that your teen is in good hands at Muir Wood.  Each teen is given a spacious room that he will share with another teen in the program. Each room is equipped with two separate beds, nightstands, a dresser and a desk. Our rooms are clean, tidy, and each room has its own bathroom.  There is plenty of storage and closet space.  We want our teens to have restful sleep, so all beds are comfortable, and all linens are of the highest quality.

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