Mental health problems can be particularly difficult for teens to deal with, as they are still learning how to regulate their emotions and use healthy coping skills. Also known as our Thompson Ranch program, our boys primary mental health residential treatment program specializes in treating generalized and social anxiety, panic disorders, depression, mood and personality disorders, as well as trauma and PTSD.
Unlike our dual-diagnosis treatment programs for boys, the Thompson Ranch program focuses strictly on addressing mental health issues—no substance use patients attend this program. Learn more about our therapeutic philosophy and how residential treatment can help your teen.
Understanding Challenges Unique to Teen Boys
In today’s world, the mental health of teen girls is commonly prioritized over that of boys. This, along with the stigma associated with a boy seeking help, presents a formidable barrier to treatment. Teen boys are uniquely challenged with issues that include:
- Societal ideals of masculinity
- Discouragement of emotional expression and vulnerability
- Social pressure to take unnecessary risks
Boys can also be adversely affected by social media, bullying, relationships, academic pressure, and peer pressure. All of these forces can make dealing with mental health issues even more difficult. Not addressing these issues now can lead to a teen growing into an unhealthy, unhappy, and unproductive adult later.
“I think that kids, they need direction, they need to be a part of [something],” shares one of our therapists in the video below. “They need to trust somebody, and they need to feel they have a purpose.” Our Joint Commission-accredited program allows boys to grow into healthy adults and learn manage mental health issues. Watch more of our video series.
Our Integrated, Individualized Therapeutic Approach
No two individuals are exactly alike, and no one treatment approach solves all problems. That’s why we create an individualized care plan for each teen and use a variety of methods to treat mental health issues. We use a mix of evidence-based and holistic treatment modalities that include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which fosters constructive thinking and behavioral patterns
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), which helps teens manage intense emotions
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), in which teen acquire skills that help them stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their emotions
- Seeking Safety Therapy, which addresses trauma
- Holistic modalities such as art and music therapy, breath work, and physical education
When combined, these modalities give teens an array of skills that help them process emotions, cope with problems, and treat underlying stressors like trauma. We’ve found that supplemental therapies like music are a valuable part of our treatment program, as they help teens better express their emotions.
Jason Garriott of Music Neighbors, a program that uses music to aid in healing, shares his experience with music therapy in our Muir Wood podcast. “Being able to play guitar and channel all this negative energy, put it into something constructive and positive, was so absolutely therapeutic for me. I was able to work out my problems … and channel [emotions] through my guitar,” Jason shared.
On-Campus Academic Support
In addition to mental health treatment, our residential programs for teens feature the Muir Wood Learning Center, where teens receive academic support from credentialed teachers. Our learning center is recognized by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as a supplemental learning program. Teens attend this on-campus learning program for three hours a day, Monday through Friday. This allows them to maintain continuity with their schoolwork for a smooth transition post-treatment.
Boys Residential Treatment Campuses
We believe that our beautiful, spacious, and comfortable environments enhance the treatment experience. Our campuses are supervised around the clock by trained staff and feature amenities like beautiful outdoor spaces to aid in the healing process.
Our program is in-network for many insurance providers, so you can access treatment without financial burden. To begin the treatment process, contact our admissions team or fill out an intake assessment.
See our Boys Primary Mental Treatment Campus in Petaluma, CA