In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 40% of students experienced signs of mental health disorders, while 29% had poor mental health. In the same year, a survey on youth risk behavior in Arizona noted that 36% of participants (9th-12th graders) were dealing with poor mental health. This problem is a national and local issue that may be affecting your teen.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we stay committed to providing adequate mental health and behavioral support for teens and families. If your teen is struggling with severe mental health disorders, our residential treatment program for teens may be able to help. Call our team today and learn more about our treatment options and how we may be able to help you.
Overview of Teen Behavioral Health Care
Teen treatment centers in Arizona address mental health and substance use disorders through various levels of care, each tailored to individuals’ needs. Each level provides necessary support based on the severity of a patient’s conditions, functioning ability, and specific needs. The first two levels offer low to medium-intensity care and flexible treatment options, allowing patients to maintain their daily responsibilities. Levels 3 and beyond provide higher levels of care for severe conditions. Here is an in-depth discussion:
Teen Outpatient Treatment
During outpatient treatment, behavioral specialists provide tailored therapy sessions once or twice a week, which include both individual and group therapies. Teenagers also have regular appointments with psychiatrists for prescriptions, medication adjustment, and comprehensive monitoring.
This level of care suits individuals with mild to moderate mental health disorders or those in recovery due to its flexible and less intensive nature. It is also less restrictive, allowing teens and their families to maintain their daily routines and responsibilities.
Teen Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient level of care for behavioral health offers an upgrade in structure and intensity. Instead of weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, teens attend 3-5 sessions a week, which last a few hours. In addition to individual and group therapies, treatment professionals guide teens through skill-building exercises to help them develop effective life skills and healthy coping mechanisms.
IOP-level behavioral health care patients still enjoy flexible arrangements, but not as much as general outpatient clients. They attend treatment during the day and return home in the evening. However, those who plan their schedule well can attend school and manage other responsibilities concurrently.
Note that this level of behavioral health care works for individuals who need more support than outpatient therapy can provide but do not require 24/7 supervision.
Higher Levels of Teen Behavioral Health Care
Higher levels of behavioral healthcare address severe conditions and disorders. They include partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), residential treatment centers (RTCs), inpatient psychiatric care, and long-term inpatient care.
Teen Partial Hospitalization Program
Teen PHPs for behavioral disorders offer structured treatment, intensive therapy, and comprehensive care. They are an upgrade of outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. Teens spend the entire day in treatment facilities, where they undergo intensive individual and group therapies, medication management, and skill-building activities. This treatment level can also bridge outpatient and inpatient care as it can be tailored to address both the ongoing management of behavioral disorders and acute symptoms.
Teen Residential Treatment Centers (RTC)
Teen residential treatment centers provide more intensive care than outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Teens live within the treatment facility for weeks to months, depending on their situation, receiving comprehensive support, care, and 24/7 medical supervision. Treatment professionals employ intensive, multidisciplinary approaches, including individual, family, and group therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis programming during their time in treatment. Some centers, such as Nexus Teen Academy, even provide academic support to ensure teenagers keep up with their studies.
Extended Hospitalization
Extended hospitalization programs provide long-term care for teens with severe, persistent, or chronic behavioral disorders. They offer comprehensive treatment aimed at improving the teenager’s overall functioning. Common services provided during extended hospitalization include medication management, intensive therapy, and rehabilitation. Healthcare professionals adjust and evaluate treatment plans continuously during the treatment duration to address complex and chronic issues.
Comparing Levels of Care
The behavioral health care levels discussed above differ in the services provided, intensity of care, insurance coverage, and cost. Let’s examine these parameters one by one.
Services Provided
Outpatient therapy programs offer weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, while intensive outpatient programs have multiple sessions per week. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) also offer full-day programs (at least five days a week) encompassing skill-building activities and educational support.
Among the highest levels of care, residential treatment centers provide 24/7 care. Teen residential treatment centers provide psychiatric services, comprehensive therapy, educational services, medical care, and life skills training. Their services include intensive treatment, crisis stabilization, continuous monitoring, and medication management.
Intensity of Care
Outpatient therapy programs cater to mild to moderate issues, while intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) address moderate problems. The latter are meant for teens who require a little more support and care than what outpatient therapy can provide.
Partial hospitalization offers a higher intensity of care, mostly serving teens with severe behavioral issues who do not need 24/7 supervision. Residential treatment has an elevated intensity of care as it addresses severe mental health and behavioral problems and provides enhanced structure and support.
Treatment Costs
Treatment costs for behavioral issues differ depending on the services provided and the intensity of care. Outpatient and intensive outpatient programs are usually cheaper than teen partial hospitalization, residential treatment, and inpatient psychiatric programs. However, note that the cost of treatment for each program may vary depending on the provider and the frequency of sessions.
Insurance Coverage
Here is a breakdown of the differences in insurance coverage among different programs or levels of care:
Most insurance plans cover outpatient therapy programs. However, some may need co-insurance or co-pays.
Although coverage details may differ, most reputable insurance plans cover intensive outpatient treatment. Pre-authorization may be necessary at times.
Most partial hospitalization programs can be covered by insurance as long as pre-authorization is obtained. However, some are subject to co-pays and co-insurance.
Residential treatment coverage varies widely. A good plan may cover 100% of total costs. Conversely, some plans may provide part payment and require some out-of-pocket expenses.
Have the above differences in mind as you choose a level of care befitting your financial condition, the severity of your teen’s disorder, and insurance coverage options. You can verify your insurance with us to learn more about your coverage.
How to Choose the Right Level of Care for Your Teen
You should select a level of care that caters to your teenager’s specific needs, symptom severity, and any functional impairment. Here is how to arrive at one:
Professional Assessments
Talk with a mental health professional or behavioral specialist for a thorough assessment of your teen’s symptom severity, treatment needs, and any functional impairments. This is usually done through clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and collecting information from schools and family members.
Consider your Teenager's Symptom Severity
Teens with mild to moderate symptoms can benefit from outpatient programs if they do not need extra support in managing their daily activities. Those with moderate to severe symptoms but need more intensive interventions should be enrolled in intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs. Residential and inpatient options serve teens with severe symptoms who require frequent and structured interventions as well as 24/7 medical care and supervision.
Consider Your Teenager's Functioning Ability
For teenagers who can still attend school and participate in daily activities despite their behavioral disorders, outpatient or intensive outpatient programs can work. This mostly applies where symptoms are mild or moderate. Those who cannot function properly in daily life due to their disorders or comorbidities should seek higher levels of care, such as residential treatment.
Evaluate Risks and Safety
You should admit your teenager to a higher level of care if they have acute symptoms or risk harming themselves or others. Those with chronic or ongoing behavioral disorders should be enrolled in long-term inpatient care or residential treatment programs.
Consider Your Teenager's Support System
Assess your teenager’s level of family support and involvement to determine whether they need outpatient or inpatient treatment. Teens from less supportive home environments need structured programs such as residential treatment and long-term inpatient care.
Nexus Teen Academy’s Teen Behavioral Health Care Center
Arizona’s teenage population faces a range of issues, including behavioral disorders. At our teen mental health treatment center, we offer numerous styles of treatment and therapy to help those teens who are struggling. If your son or daughter has a serious mental health or behavioral health disorder, contact our team at Nexus Teen Academy today and learn more about our residential program and how we can help.
You should consult a competent professional or behavioral specialist for assessment and diagnosis. Once they perform various evaluations to assess your teen’s mental health status, establish the severity of symptoms, and identify underlying issues, determining their needs becomes easier.
Treatment professionals administer therapy sessions weekly or bi-weekly to address mild to moderate behavioral issues. Patients also visit the facility regularly for medication adjustments and monitoring.
Both levels of behavioral health care facilities provide outpatient behavioral treatment. However, general outpatient facilities address mild to moderate conditions through weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, while IOP facilities offer medium-intensity care through structured individual and group therapies. The latter also incorporates skill-building exercises to help teens develop coping mechanisms and life skills.
Yes, there are almost 220 residential treatment centers listed on www.psychologytoday.com. In Cave Creek, Nexus Teen Academy offers a residential treatment program for various behavioral, psychological, and psychiatric issues. It provides around-the-clock (long-term) care and support in a structured and supportive environment free from distractions. It aims to help teenagers reach their full potential and live healthy, productive lives.
Seek higher levels of behavioral care, such as residential treatment, if you notice the following signs:
Significant changes in mood, behavior, and functioning
Persistent signs of distress, such as severe depression, anxiety, substance abuse or self-harm
Drastic changes in eating and sleeping patterns
Worsening symptoms and conditions despite outpatient, partial hospitalization, or intensive outpatient programs
Significant struggles with relationships, daily activities, and school performance
Note that the decision to refer your teenager to a higher level of care should be made with a qualified behavioral or mental health specialist. Therefore, liaise with one for professional evaluation and comprehensive assessments.
Levels of Teen Behavioral Health Care in Arizona
Published On September 7, 2024
Table of Contents
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control reported that more than 40% of students experienced signs of mental health disorders, while 29% had poor mental health. In the same year, a survey on youth risk behavior in Arizona noted that 36% of participants (9th-12th graders) were dealing with poor mental health. This problem is a national and local issue that may be affecting your teen.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we stay committed to providing adequate mental health and behavioral support for teens and families. If your teen is struggling with severe mental health disorders, our residential treatment program for teens may be able to help. Call our team today and learn more about our treatment options and how we may be able to help you.
Overview of Teen Behavioral Health Care
Teen treatment centers in Arizona address mental health and substance use disorders through various levels of care, each tailored to individuals’ needs. Each level provides necessary support based on the severity of a patient’s conditions, functioning ability, and specific needs. The first two levels offer low to medium-intensity care and flexible treatment options, allowing patients to maintain their daily responsibilities. Levels 3 and beyond provide higher levels of care for severe conditions. Here is an in-depth discussion:
Teen Outpatient Treatment
During outpatient treatment, behavioral specialists provide tailored therapy sessions once or twice a week, which include both individual and group therapies. Teenagers also have regular appointments with psychiatrists for prescriptions, medication adjustment, and comprehensive monitoring.
This level of care suits individuals with mild to moderate mental health disorders or those in recovery due to its flexible and less intensive nature. It is also less restrictive, allowing teens and their families to maintain their daily routines and responsibilities.
Teen Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient level of care for behavioral health offers an upgrade in structure and intensity. Instead of weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, teens attend 3-5 sessions a week, which last a few hours. In addition to individual and group therapies, treatment professionals guide teens through skill-building exercises to help them develop effective life skills and healthy coping mechanisms.
IOP-level behavioral health care patients still enjoy flexible arrangements, but not as much as general outpatient clients. They attend treatment during the day and return home in the evening. However, those who plan their schedule well can attend school and manage other responsibilities concurrently.
Note that this level of behavioral health care works for individuals who need more support than outpatient therapy can provide but do not require 24/7 supervision.
Higher Levels of Teen Behavioral Health Care
Higher levels of behavioral healthcare address severe conditions and disorders. They include partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), residential treatment centers (RTCs), inpatient psychiatric care, and long-term inpatient care.
Teen Partial Hospitalization Program
Teen PHPs for behavioral disorders offer structured treatment, intensive therapy, and comprehensive care. They are an upgrade of outpatient and intensive outpatient programs. Teens spend the entire day in treatment facilities, where they undergo intensive individual and group therapies, medication management, and skill-building activities. This treatment level can also bridge outpatient and inpatient care as it can be tailored to address both the ongoing management of behavioral disorders and acute symptoms.
Teen Residential Treatment Centers (RTC)
Teen residential treatment centers provide more intensive care than outpatient, intensive outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs. Teens live within the treatment facility for weeks to months, depending on their situation, receiving comprehensive support, care, and 24/7 medical supervision. Treatment professionals employ intensive, multidisciplinary approaches, including individual, family, and group therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis programming during their time in treatment. Some centers, such as Nexus Teen Academy, even provide academic support to ensure teenagers keep up with their studies.
Extended Hospitalization
Extended hospitalization programs provide long-term care for teens with severe, persistent, or chronic behavioral disorders. They offer comprehensive treatment aimed at improving the teenager’s overall functioning. Common services provided during extended hospitalization include medication management, intensive therapy, and rehabilitation. Healthcare professionals adjust and evaluate treatment plans continuously during the treatment duration to address complex and chronic issues.
Comparing Levels of Care
The behavioral health care levels discussed above differ in the services provided, intensity of care, insurance coverage, and cost. Let’s examine these parameters one by one.
Services Provided
Outpatient therapy programs offer weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, while intensive outpatient programs have multiple sessions per week. Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) also offer full-day programs (at least five days a week) encompassing skill-building activities and educational support.
Among the highest levels of care, residential treatment centers provide 24/7 care. Teen residential treatment centers provide psychiatric services, comprehensive therapy, educational services, medical care, and life skills training. Their services include intensive treatment, crisis stabilization, continuous monitoring, and medication management.
Intensity of Care
Outpatient therapy programs cater to mild to moderate issues, while intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) address moderate problems. The latter are meant for teens who require a little more support and care than what outpatient therapy can provide.
Partial hospitalization offers a higher intensity of care, mostly serving teens with severe behavioral issues who do not need 24/7 supervision. Residential treatment has an elevated intensity of care as it addresses severe mental health and behavioral problems and provides enhanced structure and support.
Treatment Costs
Treatment costs for behavioral issues differ depending on the services provided and the intensity of care. Outpatient and intensive outpatient programs are usually cheaper than teen partial hospitalization, residential treatment, and inpatient psychiatric programs. However, note that the cost of treatment for each program may vary depending on the provider and the frequency of sessions.
Insurance Coverage
Here is a breakdown of the differences in insurance coverage among different programs or levels of care:
Have the above differences in mind as you choose a level of care befitting your financial condition, the severity of your teen’s disorder, and insurance coverage options. You can verify your insurance with us to learn more about your coverage.
How to Choose the Right Level of Care for Your Teen
You should select a level of care that caters to your teenager’s specific needs, symptom severity, and any functional impairment. Here is how to arrive at one:
Professional Assessments
Talk with a mental health professional or behavioral specialist for a thorough assessment of your teen’s symptom severity, treatment needs, and any functional impairments. This is usually done through clinical interviews, standardized assessments, and collecting information from schools and family members.
Consider your Teenager's Symptom Severity
Teens with mild to moderate symptoms can benefit from outpatient programs if they do not need extra support in managing their daily activities. Those with moderate to severe symptoms but need more intensive interventions should be enrolled in intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs. Residential and inpatient options serve teens with severe symptoms who require frequent and structured interventions as well as 24/7 medical care and supervision.
Consider Your Teenager's Functioning Ability
For teenagers who can still attend school and participate in daily activities despite their behavioral disorders, outpatient or intensive outpatient programs can work. This mostly applies where symptoms are mild or moderate. Those who cannot function properly in daily life due to their disorders or comorbidities should seek higher levels of care, such as residential treatment.
Evaluate Risks and Safety
You should admit your teenager to a higher level of care if they have acute symptoms or risk harming themselves or others. Those with chronic or ongoing behavioral disorders should be enrolled in long-term inpatient care or residential treatment programs.
Consider Your Teenager's Support System
Assess your teenager’s level of family support and involvement to determine whether they need outpatient or inpatient treatment. Teens from less supportive home environments need structured programs such as residential treatment and long-term inpatient care.
Nexus Teen Academy’s Teen Behavioral Health Care Center
Arizona’s teenage population faces a range of issues, including behavioral disorders. At our teen mental health treatment center, we offer numerous styles of treatment and therapy to help those teens who are struggling. If your son or daughter has a serious mental health or behavioral health disorder, contact our team at Nexus Teen Academy today and learn more about our residential program and how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should consult a competent professional or behavioral specialist for assessment and diagnosis. Once they perform various evaluations to assess your teen’s mental health status, establish the severity of symptoms, and identify underlying issues, determining their needs becomes easier.
Treatment professionals administer therapy sessions weekly or bi-weekly to address mild to moderate behavioral issues. Patients also visit the facility regularly for medication adjustments and monitoring.
Both levels of behavioral health care facilities provide outpatient behavioral treatment. However, general outpatient facilities address mild to moderate conditions through weekly or bi-weekly therapy sessions, while IOP facilities offer medium-intensity care through structured individual and group therapies. The latter also incorporates skill-building exercises to help teens develop coping mechanisms and life skills.
Yes, there are almost 220 residential treatment centers listed on www.psychologytoday.com. In Cave Creek, Nexus Teen Academy offers a residential treatment program for various behavioral, psychological, and psychiatric issues. It provides around-the-clock (long-term) care and support in a structured and supportive environment free from distractions. It aims to help teenagers reach their full potential and live healthy, productive lives.
You should choose a behavioral health care facility that offers the following:
Seek higher levels of behavioral care, such as residential treatment, if you notice the following signs:
Note that the decision to refer your teenager to a higher level of care should be made with a qualified behavioral or mental health specialist. Therefore, liaise with one for professional evaluation and comprehensive assessments.
Your teenager needs you more than ever in their behavioral treatment journey. Here is how you can support them: