In-Network With Most Commercial Insurers
*Please note that at this time, we are not in network with Medicaid/Medi-Cal
A Residential Treatment Program Designed for Teen Girls
Adolescent girls face a distinct set of pressures and vulnerabilities. The mental health challenges that bring girls into residential treatment—depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harm, suicidal ideation, substance use—often manifest differently in girls than in boys. Girls are more likely to internalize distress, turning pain inward through withdrawal, self-harm, disordered eating, or emotional shutdown. They navigate relational aggression, social media-driven comparison, body image pressure, and identity questions with an intensity that shapes how they experience themselves and the world around them.
At Muir Wood Teen Treatment, we recognize that effective treatment for teen girls requires more than a generic program with a girls’ wing. It requires a clinical environment where the social dynamics, therapeutic content, and peer community are structured specifically around how girls experience and express emotional distress—and where the developmental work of adolescence (identity formation, relational skills, autonomy, self-worth) can happen without the stressors and distractions that mixed-gender environments often introduce.
Our gender-separate residential program is designed with these realities in mind. Girls live and receive treatment alongside peers who share similar experiences, which allows for deeper therapeutic engagement, more authentic peer connection, and a level of emotional safety that many girls have not felt in a long time.
Why Gender-Separate Programming Matters for Healing
Gender-separate residential treatment isn’t about reinforcing stereotypes or limiting self-expression. It’s a clinical decision rooted in what we know about how adolescents heal. In a gender-separate environment, teens can focus on their own recovery without the social pressures, performance dynamics, and relational triggers that mixed-gender settings can introduce—particularly during a period when they are already vulnerable.
For adolescent girls specifically, gender-separate programming creates a therapeutic space where girls can speak openly about trauma, relationships, body image, identity, and sexuality without the self-consciousness that often arises in mixed-gender groups. Peer relationships form more quickly and more authentically when social performance pressure is reduced. Girls who have experienced relational trauma, sexual trauma, or exploitation feel safer engaging in treatment when the environment is structured to prioritize their sense of security. Therapeutic content can be tailored to the specific clinical presentations common among adolescent girls—including internalized distress, self-harm patterns, relational dynamics, and identity development.
Inclusive and Affirming Within a Gender-Separate Structure
Our residential campuses are organized by sex assigned at birth, while providing an inclusive, affirming environment for every teen. Many of the adolescents in our care identify as LGBTQ+, and our entire clinical and residential team is trained in inclusive, gender-affirming, trauma-informed care. We respect each teen’s pronouns, support their self-exploration, and create an environment where identity development is treated as a healthy and important part of adolescence—not something to manage or correct.
Adolescence is a time of identity formation. At Muir Wood, our goal is for every teen to feel good about who they are and to explore their identity in safe, supportive, and affirming ways. Gender-separate programming provides the structure; affirming care provides the warmth.
When a Higher Level of Care Becomes Necessary
Signs Your Daughter May Need Residential Treatment
It can be difficult to know when typical adolescent struggles have crossed a line into something that requires professional intervention. For girls, the signs are often subtle at first—because many girls are skilled at masking their pain, maintaining surface-level functioning even as they deteriorate internally.
Signs that a higher level of care may be needed include:
- Persistent sadness, withdrawal, or emotional shutdown that isn’t responding to outpatient support
- Self-harm behaviors such as cutting, burning, or other forms of self-injury
- Suicidal ideation or expressions of hopelessness about the future
- Escalating anxiety that is interfering with school attendance, social engagement, or sleep
- Substance use that has become a coping strategy for emotional pain
- Disordered eating patterns driven by body image distress or emotional regulation difficulties
- Social isolation—pulling away from friends, family, and activities she used to care about
When Outpatient Therapy Is No Longer Enough
Many families arrive at Muir Wood after months or years of outpatient therapy, medication adjustments, and school-based interventions that haven’t produced lasting improvement. That journey isn’t wasted—it’s important context that informs how we approach treatment. But when a girl’s symptoms are intensifying despite active outpatient support, when safety concerns are present, or when daily functioning has declined significantly, residential treatment provides the structured, immersive clinical environment that outpatient settings simply cannot offer.
Residential care is not a last resort. It’s the right level of care when the right level of care is needed. The earlier families reach out, the more effectively we can intervene before crisis patterns become entrenched.
I would love to see people getting help a little earlier. Intervening earlier can prevent a whole lot of unnecessary fallout.
Our Residential Treatment Program for Teen Girls
A Structured, Supportive Residential Environment
Muir Wood’s girls’ campuses operate on a hub-and-spoke model that mirrors healthy adolescent rhythms. During the day, girls spend time in a shared therapeutic campus—attending individual and group therapy, participating in our WASC-accredited academic program, and engaging in experiential and recreational activities. In the evening, they return to small, home-like residences where they process, decompress, and connect with peers and caring adults in a more intimate setting.
This balance of community and intimacy is intentional. The therapeutic campus provides structure, clinical programming, and peer engagement. The residential homes provide warmth, routine, and the kind of consistent, safe relationships that many girls in treatment have been missing. Recovery counselors are present around the clock—not as monitors, but as caring adults who offer real-time coaching, co-regulation, and support exactly when emotions rise, anxiety spikes, or overwhelm hits.
Individualized Treatment Plans
No two girls arrive at Muir Wood with the same story. Treatment begins with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment that evaluates each teen’s mental health, trauma history, substance use patterns, family dynamics, social functioning, identity development, and academic needs. From this assessment, our clinical team builds a treatment plan that is specific, purposeful, and responsive to the full picture of who this young person is and what she needs.
Our goal is always to understand the full picture—not just the symptoms, but the story behind them. That’s how we ensure treatment is truly personalized and effective for each teen we serve.
Treatment plans evolve as girls progress. Our team reassesses regularly and adjusts as needed, because adolescents are constantly growing and changing—and the plan needs to keep pace.
Evidence-Based Treatment Model
Individual therapy. One-on-one sessions with a primary therapist who also conducts family therapy—so the clinical picture stays unified. Individual therapy provides space for deeper processing of trauma, identity, relationship patterns, and the underlying emotional pain driving symptoms.
Group therapy and peer connection. Therapist-led group sessions where girls build trust, practice communication, and develop coping skills through shared therapeutic experiences. For many girls, group therapy is the first time they feel genuinely understood by peers—and that experience of being seen and accepted can be transformative.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT skills—distress tolerance, emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness—are central to our program. These skills give girls concrete, practical tools for managing the intense emotions that often drive self-harm, substance use, and relational conflict.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps girls identify and challenge the thought patterns that fuel anxiety, depression, and negative self-evaluation—including the distorted beliefs about themselves, their bodies, and their relationships that may have been building for years.
Experiential and recreational therapies. Art, music, yoga, mindfulness, and outdoor activities provide alternative pathways for self-expression and emotional processing. For girls who struggle to verbalize their pain, experiential modalities often unlock what talk therapy alone cannot reach.
Medication management. When medication is clinically appropriate, our board-certified adolescent psychiatrists provide careful evaluation and close monitoring—always in combination with therapy. Residential treatment is uniquely positioned to safely initiate or adjust medications and observe response in real time. We believe in using the least amount of medication necessary to support stability and functioning.
Mental Health Treatment for Teen Girls
Conditions We Treat
Our girls’ residential program treats the full range of adolescent mental health conditions, including depression and mood disorders, anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorder), trauma and PTSD (including complex trauma and adverse childhood experiences), suicidal ideation and self-harm, bipolar disorder, OCD and related conditions, emotional dysregulation, and identity and self-esteem concerns. Every condition is assessed and treated within the context of the whole teen—not as an isolated diagnosis.
Dual Diagnosis and Substance Use Support
Many teen girls who come to Muir Wood are managing mental health conditions alongside substance use—alcohol, marijuana, vaping, prescription misuse, or other substances used as attempts to cope with emotional pain. We treat substance use and mental health conditions simultaneously through an integrated model, because for adolescents, these challenges are almost always connected. Our approach addresses the underlying distress that drives substance use while building the self-regulation skills and healthier coping strategies that make lasting recovery possible.
The Muir Wood Teen Difference
Our team partners closely with parents and caregivers from day one—providing clear communication, a personalized plan, and practical tools for life after treatment. While teens receive structured, therapeutic support in a peer environment, families are equipped alongside them to support continued progress and lasting change.
Some of our key differentiators include:
Specialists in Adolescent Care
Everything we do is built for teens ages 12–17, not adapted from adult models. Our team includes board-certified psychiatrists, highly trained therapists, nurses, educators, and recovery counselors who specialize exclusively in adolescent mental health and substance use treatment. Working as an integrated team, they deliver evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care tailored to each teen’s unique needs.
Environments That Foster Connection and Growth
In serene, nature-rich settings, our campuses are designed specifically for adolescent healing. With 24/7 care, girls spend their days as part of a broader community—engaging in therapy, academics, and outdoor activities that strengthen resilience and self-awareness. In the evening, they return to home-like residences to process, decompress, and connect with caring adults. This balance of community and intimacy creates a healing environment where every moment becomes part of the recovery process.
Expertise in Primary Mental Health + Substance Use
With expertise in treating both primary mental health and co-occurring substance use challenges, our trauma-informed approach helps teens heal deeply and build lasting change. We focus on the whole person—addressing both emotional wellbeing and underlying behavioral patterns—to support lifelong healing.
Support for the Whole Family
Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens together. At Muir Wood, families stay actively involved through therapy, education, and a 16-week aftercare coaching program that builds trust, communication, and stability long after treatment ends.
Accessible, High-Quality Care Covered by Insurance
Muir Wood is committed to removing financial barriers to care by partnering with most major insurance providers, ensuring families can access high-quality, evidence-based treatment when it matters most.
Educational Support That Restores Confidence
Through our WASC-accredited academic program, students continue their education with personalized support. We help girls organize assignments, manage stress, and develop executive functioning skills. Success in the classroom becomes a vital step in restoring confidence, structure, and a sense of possibility. When helpful, we coordinate directly with home schools so that treatment gains translate into the classroom.
Continuum of Care
We believe strong outcomes depend on continuity and collaboration. From admission through discharge, we coordinate closely with your teen’s existing providers and aftercare programs—whether that’s Muir Wood residential, our IOP, or another trusted outpatient partner. Shared clinical leadership and consistent therapeutic philosophy ensure each teen’s progress continues without interruption.
Speak With a Teen Treatment Specialist
Connect with our admissions team today to learn how Muir Wood can support your family.
A Collaborative Treatment Team
Mental Health Professionals and Medical Providers
Every girl at Muir Wood is supported by a multidisciplinary team that works together daily. Board-certified adolescent psychiatrists oversee evaluation, stabilization, and medication management. Licensed therapists provide individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based approaches. Recovery counselors serve as daily mentors, offering real-time coaching and support. Nurses ensure safety and provide integrated support for both emotional and physical well-being. Our academic team helps girls maintain educational continuity and rebuild academic confidence.
Family Therapy and Ongoing Parent Support
Family involvement is a core component of treatment at Muir Wood—not an optional add-on. From the first week, families have access to weekly family therapy conducted by their daughter’s primary therapist, twice-weekly family classes led by our Director of Family Services, a weekly parent support group, and regular huddle calls with the treatment team for progress updates and aftercare planning. Our 16-week aftercare coaching program continues supporting families through the critical transition home.
The greatest impact we can have on a teen’s long-term recovery isn’t just what happens in individual therapy—it’s what happens in the family. When parents do their own healing work, they change the emotional environment the teen returns to. That’s where real, sustainable recovery happens.
— Dr. David E. Smith, Chair, Addiction Medicine & MQAC, Muir Wood
Daily Life in Residential Care
What a Typical Day Looks Like
A structured daily routine provides the predictability and safety that many girls in treatment need. Mornings begin with wellness check-ins and breakfast, followed by our academic program. Afternoons include individual and group therapy, experiential activities, and skill-building sessions. Evenings provide time for family phone calls, peer connection, journaling or quiet reflection, and healthy sleep routines. The consistency of the daily schedule helps girls feel grounded while the variety of therapeutic modalities keeps engagement high.
Building Life Skills and Emotional Regulation
Beyond clinical therapy, treatment helps girls develop the practical skills they need for life after residential care:
- Emotional regulation: Managing intense feelings without resorting to self-harm, substance use, or avoidance.
- Distress tolerance: Learning to sit with difficult emotions in healthier ways.
- Healthy relationships: Building communication, boundary-setting, and trust with peers and adults.
- Identity development: Exploring who they are and who they want to become outside of their symptoms.
- Self-esteem rebuilding: Reconnecting with strengths, interests, and a sense of value that isn’t defined by appearance, achievement, or others’ approval.
- Coping skills: Concrete tools drawn from DBT, CBT, and ACT that girls can use in moments of activation long after treatment ends.
Trauma-Informed, Safe, and Inclusive Residential Care
Most girls who come to Muir Wood have experienced some form of adversity that shapes how they see themselves, relate to others, and respond to stress. What gets labeled as “defiance” or “shutting down” is often a protective response rooted in past pain. Our team is trained to recognize these patterns and respond in ways that support healing—creating emotional safety through predictable routines, clear expectations, and consistent relationships.
Trauma-informed care at Muir Wood means we always ask “what happened to you?” before “what’s wrong with you?” It means recognizing that resistance is often a form of self-protection. It means every member of our team—not just therapists—understands how trauma shows up in daily interactions and responds in ways that de-escalate rather than escalate distress. And it means that every teen, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or stage of self-discovery, receives care that affirms who they are.
Transition and Long-Term Recovery
Personalized Aftercare Planning
Discharge planning begins at admission, not in the final days of treatment. Our clinical team works with each family and their existing providers to build a transition plan that is specific, realistic, and designed to sustain the progress made during residential care. This may include stepping down to Muir Wood’s intensive outpatient program, returning to an outpatient therapist in the home community, coordinating with schools for academic reintegration, and implementing the Family Agreement and co-regulation skills developed during treatment.
Continuing Family Support
The transition home is one of the most vulnerable windows in recovery. Our 16-week aftercare coaching program provides structured weekly sessions that help families navigate the real-world challenges of reintegration—including how to respond when old patterns resurface, how to maintain the skills and communication strategies built during treatment, and how to rebuild when setbacks occur. Families can also continue participating in family therapy sessions and educational programming for up to a year after discharge, helping strengthen long-term stability for both teens and their families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residential treatment at Muir Wood typically ranges from 45 to 90 days, depending on the severity, complexity, and trajectory of each teen’s needs. Some girls benefit from a longer stay. Treatment length is determined collaboratively by the clinical team, the family, and the teen’s response to care.
Your Daughter Deserves a Path to Healing
If your daughter is struggling with mental health challenges, self-harm, substance use, or a combination of issues that outpatient care hasn’t been able to address—compassionate, specialized help is available. Our admissions team can listen to what your family is going through, help you understand your options, and guide you toward the right level of care. There’s no pressure and no obligation—just an honest conversation about what your daughter needs right now.