Teen Mental Health Services
A third of California teens reported experiencing serious psychological distress in 2021. That’s about 1.1 million adolescents – or double the entire population of Fresno.
We may just be one mental health treatment center, but changing that statistic happens one teen at a time. At SoCal Youth Center, each life we improve is a victory, and we’re honored to work with remarkable young people every day.
It does take work to change a teen’s life. It takes a lot of listening, patience, and respect. It means really getting to know them, and deeply understanding their experiences so we can offer the compassion they deserve. Each teen is different and requires a unique approach. Some willingly open up to us and share their story. Others are hesitant or don’t know how to explain how they feel.
It’s on us to communicate with every teen effectively and teach them the skills they need to express themselves. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and we’re here to build teens up and help them grow – no matter where they are in life when they come to see us.
We know your kid is already amazing! SoCal Youth Center is here to help them flourish and become the best version of themselves. Let us tell you what we’re all about.
What We Treat: Teen Mental Health Conditions
The teen years are a time when many mental health conditions start manifesting. It can be a confusing time, too, with hormones also causing emotional shifts and high school introducing new sources of stress.
What do you do if that stress is too much for them to take? What do you do if you suspect there’s something deeper going on? That’s where SoCal Youth Center can come in. Our skilled team, including psychiatrists, cares for teens with most mental health conditions. We offer:
- Anxiety treatment
- Depression treatment
- Bipolar disorder treatment
- ADHD treatment
- OCD treatment
- PTSD treatment
- Trauma therapy
- Panic disorder treatment
- Antisocial personality symptoms treatment
- Borderline personality symptoms treatment
- Dependent personality symptoms treatment
- Narcissistic personality symptoms treatment
- And more
Some teens come to us needing mental health support but without a specific diagnosis. That’s okay too, and we can also help in those cases. We conduct a biopsychosocial assessment for each teen. We consider all aspects of a person to identify their main concerns and diagnose any mental health conditions. These diagnoses guide their entire customized treatment plan.
We work closely with teens on the autism spectrum, too. We treat every teen who visits us with respect, even if they might feel “awkward” or “weird,” or don’t have the best social skills. At SoCal Youth Center, we think differences are awesome – even if those differences make life more difficult. We teach strategies and skills teens with autism need to better manage their lives, and we do it with compassion. These teens might require a different approach than neurotypical teens do, but that approach should never involve looking down on them or belittling them. They are amazing, complex people like anyone else, and we’re here to empower them to live life to the fullest.
All teens, regardless of sexuality or gender identity, are welcome here. We understand the difficulties LGBTQIA+ adolescents face. We aim to provide a safe space for every teen to discuss their concerns and heal, including any pain related to gender dysphoria and the challenges of being in a marginalized community. We’re here to listen, and we’re ready to help.
How We Treat: SoCal Youth Center’s Mental Health Treatment Programs for Teens
We have multiple treatment options, including our after-school program, day program, telehealth appointments, and psychiatric services.
No matter what you choose, your teen will have a whole team involved in their care. Our expert staff has multiple team meetings per week where we discuss how to better serve our clients and improve teens’ lives.
We think social connection is a key part of that. Loneliness increases the risk of mental health conditions and poor physical health, so combating that is one of SoCal Youth Center’s primary goals. We also understand that for many teens, that’s a lot easier said than done, and we always keep that in mind to take the most empathetic approach possible.
That’s why group therapy is such a big component of what we do. Our therapy groups are small, providing every teen with the attention they deserve. We have different weekly groups focusing on identity, communication, self-esteem, and even Dungeons and Dragons! All of these build social skills in ways that are both fun and practical and teach teens additional strategies they can carry with them into adulthood.
Every teen will receive one weekly individual therapy session and one weekly family therapy session. We get to know your teen and your family personally and help you apply the lessons we teach at SoCal Youth Center to every area of your lives.
Clients Testimonial
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (After-School Program)
Our after-school program is perfect for teens who want to attend regular school during the day, but still need additional mental health support. It lasts from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and consists of all the perks we mentioned above, just on a smaller scale than our day program.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
SoCal Youth Center’s partial hospitalization program (PHP) involves more time with us than our after-school program. Teens come to us earlier in the afternoon and return home in the evening. Our PHP lets them focus primarily on getting better, but with daily time devoted to their education. These lessons are taught by fully licensed teachers. We’ll also stay in close contact with their school to make sure they don’t fall behind in classes and ensure they get the mental health support they need when they return to traditional schooling.
Psychiatric Treatment
No matter what program your teen is part of, they’ll have access to a psychiatrist. We’ll also diagnose any conditions your teen has, and prescribe medication as part of treatment if that would be helpful.
Telehealth Appointments
We want mental health care to be as accessible to teens as possible. That means transportation issues, inconvenient hours, or even intense anxiety don’t have to get in the way of teens getting the help they need. Your teen can have telehealth appointments in the comfort of your home, or wherever is best for them, as long as they have a computer and internet connection.
A Foundation for the Future: The Importance of Teen Mental Health Care
What happens during the teen years has a huge influence on the kind of adult someone becomes. Research has shown unaddressed mental health concerns in adolescence usually continue into adulthood, and are associated with lower quality of life and poorer physical health. These teens also generally are less likely to pursue higher education, which can limit their future opportunities.
While most mental health conditions can’t be “cured” entirely, they can definitely be managed safely and effectively. The sooner someone knows how to do that, the longer they can live life to the fullest! This is especially important for teenagers, who are great at learning. It’s the perfect time for them to pick up healthy coping mechanisms, develop social skills, and build a strategy to overcome their mental health concerns. They can take what they learn at SoCal Youth Center with them into adulthood, just like they would with any math or English lesson.
When to Seek Teen Mental Health Services: How to Know if It’s More Than “Typical Teenager Stuff”
Any parent of a teen can tell you mood swings are part of the adolescent years. Rebelling and pushing boundaries is, too. This period is full of growth and learning – not to mention hormonal changes. That comes with stress, which can lead to emotional outbursts, arguments, and instability.
Stress can also lead to mental health conditions, especially if teens are also living with unaddressed trauma. How do you know if that applies to your teen, or if their moodiness is just part of growing up? Here are some signs you can look for:
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Canceling plans frequently
- Having a tough time academically
- Persistent fear, worry, and/or racing thoughts
- Uncharacteristic changes in daily patterns or habits, especially if they’re negative
- Signs of self-harm, like injuries your teen has a hard time explaining
- Extreme mood swings
- Frequent strong emotional responses, like anger or crying
- Obsessions, especially with a goal that they’re terrified of failing to achieve
Ultimately, trust that you know your child. If they don’t seem like themselves and you’re concerned, it’s a good idea to talk to their doctor or school counselor. You can also contact us anytime. We’d be happy to discuss what’s going on and if we could be a good fit for your teen.
We Can Help – Contact SoCal Youth Center Today
When your teen is living with a mental health condition, it can be scary. You might feel powerless, and it’s hard to know what to do – let alone where to turn if you need help. We also know it’s hard to put your teen’s mental health in someone else’s hands. Those feelings are entirely okay and understandable, but that doesn’t mean you have to do this alone.
We want to help entire families at SoCal Youth Center, not just teens, and that means you. We don’t want you to worry about your teen’s future, or if they’ll be okay in the long run. We want to empower them to thrive, and happily face their future, because it is still so bright.
We love working with California teens and their families. At SoCal Youth Center, witnessing teens with mental health concerns grow into confident young adults is a true privilege. We want you to experience that, too. We know the cost of treatment is a major concern, and we strive to make our services as affordable as possible through payment plans and additional options. If you have any questions, call us at (714) 716-5044. We’d be happy to help with anything you need, and we’d love to meet you and your teen.
SoCal Youth Center: Celebrating diversity, embracing unity.