- Joint Commission accredited
- Girls-only home
- Ages 12 to 17
- Admissions 24/7
Eating disorder treatment for teen girls near Sun City West, AZ.
When a granddaughter or niece is fighting food, the parent who finally picks up the phone rarely decides solo; grandmothers, aunts and uncles tend to shoulder part of the weight. Nexus Teen Academy helps girls ages 12 to 17 with ARFID, anorexia, binge eating and bulimia in Cave Creek, at a state-licensed house kept for girls alone, a drive east from Sun City West.
- Free & confidential · No obligation · (480) 485-3424
- 4.7 Google · 37 reviews
- AZDHS-licensed residential facility
- Most major private insurance accepted
- Free consultation
- Counselor online now
Drop us a phone number; one of our licensed admissions people phones you back, typically within minutes, ready to talk with the parent and any relatives about her eating, coverage and next steps.
- It's now where you are · typical callback under 10 minutes.
- Secure, private, and HIPAA-protected. By submitting you agree to be contacted about care; message/data rates may apply.
- 4.7 Google · 37 reviews
- Joint Commission accredited
Every credential is independently verifiable. Joint Commission · AZDHS registry · LegitScript.


Joint Commission accreditedAZDHS-licensed · LegitScript certifiedAbout Nexus Teen Academy
About Nexus Teen Academy's eating disorder program for girls.
Nexus Teen Academy runs a residential house in Cave Creek, recognized by The Joint Commission, where a single clinical crew treats eating disorders in girls ages 12 to 17. Relatives tied to Sun City West often show up as a unit: a mom or dad weighing the choice, with a grandmother, aunt or uncle close by ready to drive, visit or cook. Skipping food, purging and bingeing usually begin as her answer to stress, perfectionism or loss. We rebuild regular eating and treat those roots.
Red-flag physical findings, whether an unusually slow pulse, blackouts, or worrying labs, send her to hospital doctors for stabilization before anything else, and the family coordinates the move to Cave Creek with us once those physicians give the go-ahead. The home is AZDHS-licensed, Joint Commission accredited and LegitScript certified.
Nexus Teen Academy provides residential treatment for teen eating disorders for families from Sun City West, Arizona, for ages 12 to 17. Girls live in a licensed home in Cave Creek with daily therapy, accredited school on site, and weekly family therapy. Most stay 30 to 60 days, and the team works with AHCCCS and most private insurance.
Cave Creek
Girls, 12 to 17 · Phoenix metro
Cave Creek
Girls, 12 to 17 · Phoenix metro
Accredited Arizona centers
Ages we treat, gender-separate
Awake clinical staff, every hour
A primary therapist, by name
Secure form · About 2 minutes · Free, no obligation
Our admissions team will reach out to you soon. Here’s what happens next:
- An admissions counselor contacts you, free and confidential
- If you asked about coverage, we check your benefits with your insurer
- You get honest answers and clear next steps, with no obligation
Where residential care fits: IOP, PHP or residential
The subacute level between weekly therapy and a hospital bed.
Therapy once or a few times a week. Your teen stays home and at school.
Live-in clinical care with 24/7 awake staff, daily therapy, and accredited school, in a real home.
You are hereShort-term acute stabilization for immediate medical or safety crisis.
| Question | Intensive outpatient (IOP) | Partial hospitalization (PHP) | Residential (RTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | A step down from PHP, or a starting point for teens who need more than weekly therapy | A step down from residential care, or a starting point for teens who need structure without 24/7 care | Teens who need 24/7 care in a safe, immersive setting |
| Where your teen sleeps | At home | At home each evening | A licensed, home-like residence with 24/7 awake staff |
| Weekly schedule | About 4 hours a day (10:30 to 2:30 or 1:00 to 5:00), 3 to 4 days a week | Several days a week, multiple hours a day | Daily therapy, with care around the clock |
| Typical length | 30 to 90+ days | 30 to 90 days | 30 to 60 days |
| School | Stays in school; IOP is therapy-focused, with no academic support | Daily schoolwork time in a classroom, with educators on staff | Accredited, credit-bearing classes on site |
| Family | Weekly individual therapy and family counseling every other week | Family therapy sessions included | Weekly family therapy, in person or by secure video |
IOP and PHP run at NexStep Teen Academy, the Nexus outpatient program in Scottsdale for teens ages 12 to 17.
Not sure which level your teen needs? A licensed counselor will walk through it with you on the phone, free, and tell you honestly if a lower level of care is the better fit.
Speak with our admissions teamThe program
Inside our eating disorder treatment program for teen girls.
Food, counseling, classes and family work all flow from one roadmap in a house of girls that keeps a reliable rhythm. Her team revisits that roadmap weekly against her own health and emotional markers, which is why progress, not a preset count of days, decides how long she stays.
One full picture of her
Eating habits, weight history, bloodwork, past counseling and teacher observations all feed one review, so her plan answers to her and not only to a label.
Stable before she arrives
When vitals or labs are concerning, a hospital stabilizes her first, and admission is timed to the day she receives clearance.
Individual therapy each weekday
Her own licensed clinician meets with her every weekday to work on the fear, rigid food rules and emotions beneath the eating disorder.
Meals shared with staff
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks happen beside staff, with portions that grow in stages as her body recovers.
Family sessions, relatives welcome
The parent, and any aunt or grandparent helping, get coached in weekly sessions and at the Saturday parent circle to keep dinners at home calm and consistent.
Psychiatric care on site
A prescriber at the residence handles medicine for co-occurring worry, depression or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and the parent consents to each change.
School credit keeps building
A certified teacher leads lessons every weekday, and the credits she earns transfer back to her home school.
Home plan the family shares
Written guidance on food and trouble signs, nearby outpatient clinicians, and a paced school return that relatives can help support.
- Food, emotions and what drives them, handled together
Treated side by side
Conditions we treat alongside eating disorders.
Eating disorders tend to bring company. The adolescent supplement of the National Comorbidity Survey found a lifetime eating disorder in 3.8% of girls in the 13-18 range nationwide, and among teens there who had bulimia or binge eating, a majority met criteria for at least one additional psychiatric condition.
So one Cave Creek team treats her eating together with any anxiety, depression or trauma behind it. Relatives supporting the parent hear a single, consistent message about her care, which makes it far easier for everyone to back the same plan at home.
How eating disorders affect teen girls
Primary focus
Bulimia, anorexia, OSFED, ARFID and binge eating disorder among adolescent girls
Depression
A heavy, flat mood that worsens as intake drops.
Anxiety & perfectionism
Perfectionism expressed through strict eating rules.
Trauma & PTSD
Numbing painful experiences through food behaviors.
ADHD
Impulsive urges that can fuel binge episodes.
Substance use
Alcohol, vapes or pills relied on to dampen appetite.
Dual diagnosis
A psychiatric condition plus drinking or drugs at once.
Self-harm
Watched closely as habits shift; screened at intake.
Safety firstSuicidal ideation
Always evaluated first, before treatment starts.
Safety first- Wherever her eating disorder comes from, a single clinical team in one home keeps her care on one plan.
The setting
A licensed residential setting for teen girls.
The girls live in a real residential house ringed by open desert in Cave Creek, north of Phoenix by roughly half an hour. Days keep to a predictable beat set by meals and snacks, food gets prepared and passed around one family table, whoever works nights stays alert until morning, and AZDHS licenses the whole house.
Take a self-guided 3D walkthrough of the home
Life inside
A typical day in residential eating disorder treatment.
Meals demand the most help in the beginning, so that is where staff concentrate. With every grown-up giving an identical calm reply to fear, haggling and food rules, the illness loses its footing, a pattern relatives can learn to copy at their own tables.
-
MorningHygiene, meds & breakfast
Hygiene and meds from 6:30 to 7:30, then breakfast from 7:30 to 8:00.
-
MorningGratitude journal & education
A gratitude journal from 8:00 to 8:20, then education from 8:30 to 10:45 and a snack at 10:45.
-
MorningGroup therapy & lunch
Group therapy from 11:00 to 12:00, then lunch and mindfulness from 12:00 to 1:00.
-
AfternoonGroup therapy
Group therapy from 2:00 to 3:00, a snack at 3:00, then group therapy again from 3:15 to 4:00.
-
AfternoonMovement, dinner & evening activity
Movement with nursing from 4:15 to 5:00, dinner at 5:00, then evening activity and meds from 6:00 to 7:00.
-
EveningFree time & lights out
Free time from 7:00 to 8:30, evening hygiene from 8:30 to 9:00, gratitude journal at 9:00 and lights out at 9:30.
Weekends run differently
Saturday and Sunday follow a lighter routine than the weekday schedule above.
Click here for a free consultationTap to call (480) 485-3424 and our admissions team will walk you through a full weekend. Someone answers any time.Awake clinical staff are on-site every hour, including overnight, at both Arizona centers.
How healing happens
How we treat eating disorders in teen girls.
A 2023 guideline from the American Psychiatric Association points adolescents toward family treatment aimed at the eating disorder itself, and studies back CBT-E for teenagers as well. Residence life adds daily meal coaching; family sessions translate it into a plan relatives can share.
Core therapies
1
Family-based treatment
The parent leads meals for a period with coaching, relatives backing them up, then control returns to her step by step as she heals.
Helps withfamily at the tableshared meal roles2
CBT-E
Enhanced CBT that pries loose her food rules and body checking, and shrinks the outsized role shape and weight play in how she sees herself.
Helps withrigid rulesself-image3
Emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills
Coping skills rehearsed each day, so the moment she wants to skip a meal, overeat or purge is answered with a skill rather than an action.
Helps withcoping skillseach day
Supporting care, running alongside
Exposure and body-image work
Once her health is steady, she approaches feared foods and avoided places in small steps, her therapist alongside.
fear foodssmall exposuresFamily therapy and parent group
Weekly family sessions in Cave Creek or on secure video, open to the parent and supporting relatives, plus the Saturday parent group.
relatives includedSaturday groupEquine, art and experiential
Friday sessions with horses, art and music: a chance to feel strong and at ease physically, with no one measuring size.
horses on Fridayscreative outlets
Your teen's clinical team
Meet our licensed clinical team.
Every relative who joins sessions gets to know the people involved by name, from her primary therapist, who is licensed, to the medication prescriber and residential staff. The Arizona licenses behind the program are public records the family can look up together.
LPC, BC-TMHHannah Carr-Unquera
Executive Director
Leads the clinical program, licensed in Arizona and board certified in telemental health.
LCSW, DSWDr. Tyler White
Director of Adolescent Clinical Services
Sets the treatment plan each resident’s team works to, and supervises the clinicians who deliver it.
DNP, PMHNP-BCAlexandria Penner
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Runs psychiatric evaluation and medication management on-site, so prescribing stays inside the house.
House teamAshley Daniels
Director of Family Services & Education
Runs family services and education, after directing theatre and teen programs and building liberal-arts residential summer camps for Mount Holyoke College and Bryn Mawr College.
House teamJennifer Inderberg
Education Supervisor
Twenty-five years in education, supervising the accredited school that runs inside each house and the credit transfers back to your district.
House teamMelissa Stockmar
Director of Food Operations
Leads the kitchen team behind the chef-prepared meals, and runs the cooking group where residents learn to feed themselves.
Arizona-licensed clinical team.Every Nexus Teen Academy clinician is licensed in Arizona. Verify any license on the AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners directory.
What families say
What Arizona families say about Nexus Teen Academy.
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Carol TrombinoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Nexus Academy was a wonderful place for my daughter. The staff were amazing and so supportive. They worked with our entire family. Highly recommend Nexus.![]()
Hemella SweattTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Sending your child or teen to a residential treatment facility is a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. The team at Nexus Teen Academy was exceptional. Our daughter's therapist was a great fit for her and played a significant role in helping us grow as a family. Family therapy is a crucial part of your child's recovery, and Nexus does an excellent job of involving the family in the healing process. We are grateful for their support in guiding our daughter toward a path of recovery.![]()
S HTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The program at Nexus was a lifesaver for my 15-year-old daughter. After a tough year in and out of different levels of care, my husband and I had truly hit a breaking point and knew a residential facility was needed, but we were adamant about finding a place that was safe, respectful, and loving for our daughter. The entire team at Nexus was caring and engaged from day one, despite my daughter NOT making that easy for the first couple of weeks. There were definitely days in the beginning where we wondered if this was even working, but the team encouraged my husband and me to stay the course, and thank goodness we did. After completing Nexus residential and PHP programs, our daughter has done a complete 180. Her mental health struggles aren't 'magically gone' - but she has learned not to let them control her and our family dynamic is leagues better than where we started. Maybe the craziest part of this whole experience was when she recently acknowledged that she was really struggling before and thanked me for sending her to the program - I almost fainted. All this to say, I can't recommend the team at Nexus enough to any family with a teen who is going through a hard time.![]()
Amanda HayesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Our 12 year old attended Nexus in summer of 2025. I opted for this location due to the reviews from other parents regarding similarly aged children. It's a whole different ballgame when a parent is trying to figure out what is best for their tween, knowing they will have exposure to older teenagers and older problems. That sad, Nexus is such a cohesive program. Our experience has been nothing short of wonderful, given the impossible circumstanes. All staff seems to be personally invested in each child's recovery and wellbeing. Our child left Nexus in a much more healed state than when they went in. I was so nervous about taking this huge step after poor hospital experiences and previous PHP's not being as helpful as we hoped. The staff is on top of relational dynamics in the house, and there is some separation between the younger residents and older ones, while still promoting overall cohesiveness. I feel they did a tremendous job supporting our 12 year old developmentally, bringing out a sense of childhood again. They also masterfully navigated our complicated family dynamic, going above and beyond to ensure our child's needs were met, the program requirements were met, in alignment with our family's needs. In a way, our child's time away at Nexus brought them back to us in a way we hadn't seen in a long time. I am so grateful. The PHP program, as well, is top notch and operates from heart. I would recommend both Nexus RTC and their PHP program to any parent in a similar situation. I have offered to connect with any parent in a similar place, so feel free to inquire about connecting with the staff. I know how terrifying this all is, and while we're not totally out of the woods, our child is currently attending school full time again with 2 evening therapy sessions each week. I attribute this assimilation into developmentally typical structure entirely to the care and support we all received from Nexus staff, from intake to therapy to medical and everyone else involved. Thank you, nexus, for helping our child- and our family- in our healing. I am forever grateful.![]()
AlishaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
When we realized we needed a place for our teen to go longer term it was one of the hardest, scariest things I have been through as a mother. Nexus really made it easier and not quite so scary. They have a really caring staff, the kids love the staff. They truly care about your child, it’s not just another kid in and out of their house. I felt like our family was important and they were focused on what my child needed to help her through this difficult time. There was a lot of ups and downs with this process and we had some really hard times and conversations but the staff was always there to help guide us. I would truly say if you are struggling and your teen needs residential Nexus is an amazing place for treatment. The house is beautiful and it is truly comfortable for the kids. I would definitely recommend Nexus.![]()
Vanessa AnayaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I would like to share that we had a great experience at Nexus Teen Academy. All of the staff is great with communication and assisted us through the process. I am very grateful for all of the resources, help and treatment for my teen throughout their stay. The have an amazing team and would recommend to anyone who needs the help.![]()
Sean HayesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I highly recommend Nexus Teen Academy. The structure, support, and care they provided made a significant impact on my child, and it was also maintainable post-residency. During the residency, I attended a parent group led by the therapists who worked with the kids; where we learned critical skills and distinctions which helped with life afterward. It was also great to be in contact with other parents during this time, and the parenting group was great for this.![]()
Zane BedfordTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Four years ago at the age of 13 my daughter completely stopped participating in school and started to display symptoms of major depression anxiety and an unknown mood disorder.Her attendance at school was greatly impacted in such a way that attending once or twice a week became standard until the age of 16.Alcohol addiction and juvenile legal troubles followed and became common issues up until the moment my daughter entered into Nexus Teen Academy.To be completely honest as a completely broken single parent,after trying many attempts at therapy/medications I had lost hope and had given up on expecting anything could fix the crisis we had been living in for the last for years. Nexus Academy changed my perspective, my daughter completed 33 days and for the first time in years I saw the spark and light come back to her eyes and soul.She left Nexus displaying insight and a desire to get back on track with her education. With all professions , one will find flaws and opportunities for improvement .I believe Nexus understands this and showed an openess to suggestions and constructive criticism.![]()
lily hendersonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Nexus was a life changing experience. I went in at 17 and experienced my 18th in there, to which the staff and residents all made sure I felt special. My goals were formed around gaining a better sense of self identity, self respect, and healing myself from the inside out. All of which happened in ways I never expected. I was shown how healthy communication, empathy in your home life, and phone-free relationships, all shape you as a person. Each and every one of the staff and administrators at Nexus are solely devoted to the children’s lives and well being. If there was ever an issue, i felt confident to go to them about it and it was swiftly handled. It was one of the most difficult goodbyes I have ever experienced in my life, as I grew family-life bonds with every person there. Thank you all!!!!! I appreciate every way you showed up for me and how you supported me in my stay. I will carry this experience with me forever.![]()
Jasmine CarterTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My daughter was referred here after her various visits to psychiatric hospitals.I was so scared to be apart from my child but Nexus made me feel better about my decision because of their loving and welcoming environment. I love everything about this place, they really love the kids and support parents along the way. I appreciate everyone that loved and supported my child while she was at her lowest. I recommend this place to anyone that may feel like they have tried all they can and they do not know what to do next because Nexus will help you with the next steps in your journey.Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 23 reviews
★★★★★
“Nexus Academy was a wonderful place for my daughter. The staff were amazing and so supportive. They worked with our entire family. Highly recommend Nexus.”
★★★★★
“Sending your child or teen to a residential treatment facility is a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. The team at Nexus Teen Academy was exceptional. Our daughter’s therapist was a great fit for her and played a significant role in helping us grow as a family.”Read the full review →
★★★★★
“The program at Nexus was a lifesaver for my 15-year-old daughter. After a tough year in and out of different levels of care, my husband and I had truly hit a breaking point and knew a residential facility was needed.”Read the full review →
These come straight from our public Google Business Profile, anyone can read all 34 and add their own.
Getting started
The admission process, step by step.
- You set the pace, with no pressure to decide
- Clear answers to every clinical and financial question
- An honest recommendation, even if another program is the better fit
1
- Today · 24/7
- ~15 minutes
One calm call
Several family members can join the opening call. A licensed counselor wants to understand how her eating has changed, about weight, purging or bingeing, warning signs like fainting, what earlier clinicians found, and whether she is safe right now, then says honestly if a residential stay fits what she needs.
- What to have ready: nothing. Just call, questions are welcome, and there is no obligation.
2
- Same day
- Free & confidential
Coverage check
With the parent's permission, we review the policy and return with plain numbers: coverage for a residential behavioral-health stay, network standing for Nexus, and a believable estimate of the family's share. Since eating disorder treatment draws on mental-health coverage, we spell it out so relatives chipping in with costs understand too.
- What you get: your coverage answer, usually the same day, every option mapped, including in-network and out-of-network paths.
3
- Within 24 to 48 hrs
- Licensed clinicians
Clinical assessment
Next, a licensed clinician studies how she eats, where her weight has been heading, her emotional history, any earlier programs and her safety, and proposes the right intensity of care. If her pediatrician's latest numbers look dangerous, hospital stabilization is arranged before Cave Creek.
- Your input matters: what you have seen at home is a key part of the clinical assessment.
4
- Within days
- Named coordinator
Plan the arrival
A named coordinator manages doctor sign-off, travel, school records, prescriptions and the packing list, and helps the family settle who drives her on arrival day.
- No surprises: you will have the packing list, schedule, and your coordinator's direct line in writing.
5
- Welcome day
- Never out of the loop
A gentle, planned arrival
On arrival she meets her care team and joins the girls for a meal, and the family heads home with the first update already booked.
- From here: predictable days, weekly updates, and a team your teen knows by name.
Coverage & cost
Insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment
Residential eating disorder care is usually covered as a behavioral-health benefit by major private insurers, and we work with most large commercial carriers. We confirm her exact coverage, including network standing, without a fee and in confidence, frequently before the day is out, and lay out any costs in plain terms so the parent and relatives who are pitching in can plan before committing.
- 1You send your plan detailsTwo required fields. Member ID optional. Takes about a minute.
- 2We verify with your insurer directlyIn-network or out-of-network, free and confidential, usually the same day.
- 3You get the number in plain EnglishYour exact out-of-pocket cost, explained before you commit to anything.
- Meritain
- UMR
- + more
Out-of-network or unsure about your plan? Call anyway, cost should never be the reason a teen doesn't get help.
- Free benefits check
Get a clear picture of her residential eating disorder coverage, free and confidential, with nothing to sign.
After discharge
Step-down care and aftercare near Sun City West.
Discharge planning begins weeks out and includes the parent plus any relatives who will pitch in: a PHP or IOP bridge when sensible, a counselor, food specialist and pediatrician convenient to the family, a shared written guide to meals and trouble signs, and a Dysart school return paced to her.
Answers
Frequently asked questions about eating disorder treatment
For grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents connected to Sun City West who are deciding on residential eating disorder care together.
A licensed admissions counselor can answer it on the phone right now, no script, no pressure, and no obligation to enroll.
Talk to a counselorAnswered 24/7 at (480) 485-3424Centers & getting there
Yes. Nexus Teen Academy's Cave Creek residence serves girls ages 12 to 17 and lies about 45-55 minutes from Sun City West, heading east. If you searched for help near me on behalf of a grandchild or niece, admissions answers (480) 485-3424 at any hour.
Expect 45-55 minutes via Loop 303, then Loop 101 heading east. Since that is a fair distance, many families split it: one relative covers a weekday session, another a weekend visit, and video fills the gaps.
Yes, with the parent's approval. Relatives the parent designates can visit and take part in family therapy, whether they sit with us in Cave Creek or log on by video from home, so the people who will support her later learn alongside the parent.
Topics like menstruation, a developing body, comparison online and past sexual trauma come up often in recovery. Living with peers who are all girls, she can speak about these openly at meals and in group.
Care & cost
Join the first call if the parent wants you there, help gather her medical and school records, and offer practical help with siblings, pets or work coverage. A counselor explains honestly whether residential care fits, so the family can decide together.
That is common, since the eating disorder tells her she is fine. Our counselors coach the parent and relatives to present one calm, united message, and resistance often eases once mealtimes become calm and routine.
Before discharge the family receives a written guide covering meals and the earliest hints of backsliding, and family therapy teaches the parent to support meals, then hand control back. Relatives who share meals or host her can learn the same calm approach so every table sends one message.
Most big commercial plans are accepted here, and this care counts toward mental-health coverage. We check the plan she is on at no cost and in private, generally the same day, then walk the family through network status and any out-of-pocket share so everyone can plan together.
Plan on a month or more at first; clinicians then lengthen or shorten it as her eating steadies and her body stabilizes. Before she leaves, relatives help pick a step-down level, a counselor, food specialist and children's doctor around Surprise or Sun City West, and a gradual Dysart school return.
Licensing & privacy
Three: a state license from the Arizona Department of Health Services for residential behavioral-health care, accreditation granted by The Joint Commission, and LegitScript certification. Any family member can verify these before the decision.
Only if the parent or legal guardian authorizes it. Her records fall under HIPAA, so updates go to the people named on a release, such as her pediatrician, a school contact, or chosen relatives.
No. Conversations with admissions are confidential and commit the family to nothing; they are a chance to ask questions together before anyone decides.
Admission & daily life
Often within a few days. Admissions calls are returned within 24 hours, usually within minutes. A counselor checks your insurance benefits and licensed clinicians complete an assessment, and if everything moves smoothly your teen can move in shortly after. A coordinator walks you through travel, paperwork, and the first day.
Yes. Nexus Teen Academy offers tours of the home by appointment, so you can see where your teen would live and ask the team your questions in person before you decide anything. Call admissions to schedule a tour at a time that suits your family.
Yes. Family therapy happens once a week and is typically followed by about an hour of visitation, and parents are expected to take part. After orientation, teens can call home during designated hours most days, and families can also join a weekly virtual Family Empowerment group with other parents.
No. Personal phones and other devices stay at home for the length of the stay. Teens use tablets for video calls with approved contacts and computers for schoolwork, so contact with family continues through approved channels while the focus stays on treatment.
School continues during treatment. Teens attend accredited, credit-bearing classes on site, and education supervisors help with coursework and stay in touch with families. Bring a copy of any 504 plan or IEP at admission, and before discharge the team plans a staged return to your teen's home school.
Pack about two weeks of clothes without laces or drawstrings, alcohol-free toiletries, and any prescribed medication in its original packaging with a current medication list. Bring a guardian ID, a copy of any 504 plan or IEP, and school books. Personal phones and school-issued tablets stay at home.
The research
Teen eating disorder statistics parents should know
In 2023, CDC surveyors heard from most American high school girls, over half, about ongoing sadness or hopelessness, and eating troubles often grow beside that distress. Sources are listed with each figure.

3.8%
of adolescent girls 13-18 in the United States report a lifetime eating disorder, higher than the 2.7% figure for every adolescent in the sample (NIMH, NCS-A).
3.0%
is the lifetime rate by 17-18, climbing from 2.4% for 13- and 14-year-olds, which shows risk accumulating through adolescence (NIMH, NCS-A).
49%
of anorexia patients in their teens hit full remission a year after treatment their families steered, more than double the 23% seen with individual therapy (Lock et al., 2010).
1 in 4
young people in Arizona needing mental-health support said reaching it was very hard or impossible (AZDHS, 2026).
Because risk rises across the teen years and weighs most on girls, relatives who notice changes should encourage the parent to seek a real assessment soon.
One in four Arizona adolescents who needed care found it very hard or impossible to get, so when relatives around Sun City West help a parent call early, she need not sit on an outpatient waitlist.
Residential care vs. a teen group home
Homelike by design, clinical in every detail.
Relatives researching group homes for a girl with an eating disorder will find something different here. Daughters, granddaughters and nieces from across Arizona live in one Cave Creek house for girls, a behavioral-health residential facility under AZDHS license, where school, meals and therapy share one address.
A typical group home
- Licensed for shelter and supervision
- Daily living and structure
- Supervision, not clinical treatment
Nexus homes
- AZDHS behavioral-health residential licence
- Daily therapy and psychiatric care
- Accredited school on site
Families from the Phoenix metro 9 cities
Families from Greater Arizona 6 cities
Every city here has sent a daughter, granddaughter or niece to us in Cave Creek. Families get help mapping the drive, and relatives can join weekly family sessions in the room or by encrypted video.
Across Arizona
From Sun City West to Cave Creek: travel and visits.
From Sun City West, count on roughly 45-55 minutes along Loop 303 and then Loop 101 to reach Cave Creek, so relatives can rotate driving duty and split the visits. The admissions phone is answered around the clock.
Sharing a 45-55 minute drive
Take Loop 303, then Loop 101 east, and Cave Creek is usually 45-55 minutes from Sun City West. Relatives can trade off the drive so the parent is not making every visit alone.
Sessions the family can join
Family therapy meets weekly, so a grandparent or aunt can join by secure video from home while the parent sits in the room at the residence, or the other way around.
Aftercare the whole family supports
Step-down care, plus a counselor, food specialist and pediatrician convenient to the family, are arranged before discharge, along with school re-entry through Dysart and a written meal plan relatives can follow.
Nexus Teen Academy, Cave Creek · girls’ residence
Admissions 24/7

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Directions from Sun City West to Cave Creek
45-55 min east, Loop 303 then 101
Saddle Mountain Rd, 85331 · 20 min north
El Mirage and Sun City area families too
Travel, telehealth & aftercare
Every Nexus program, statewide
Find the right program for your daughter.
One clinical team, many conditions, and families throughout Arizona. Start with what she is struggling with, then look at how treatment unfolds for relatives and parents near you.
Nexus Teen Academy offers licensed residential help to teenagers ages 12 to 17 facing ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, substance use, suicidal ideation, or trauma and PTSD. Eating disorder patients live in Cave Creek, in a residence serving girls only, while relatives around Sun City West and families statewide receive route tips, trip support, and encrypted video family sessions.
Depression care, statewide
Nearby cities we serve for eating disorder care
Each city listed below links to a guide for families from that area whose daughters come to our Cave Creek residence, with notes on driving, meals after discharge, going back to class and the questions families ask.
Related teen treatment programs
Pick a condition to reach its Arizona overview; the neighboring city pages describe how families there approach care.
Talk it through with a counselor
Tell an admissions counselor what you are seeing at home, and they will say plainly which program fits.
Girls-only programs
Treated only at the Cave Creek girls residence
Five programs for teen girls, each with an Arizona guide and a page for families from each nearby city.
Co-occurring mental health and substance use
Eating disorders in teen girls
Sexual trauma in teen girls
Severe mood swings in teen girls
Don't spot your hometown? Our girls hail from every stretch of the state, plus a few from farther off. Phone (480) 485-3424 and a counselor will sketch the drive east for your relatives and explain each admission step.


