- Joint Commission accredited
- Girls-only home
- Ages 12 to 17
- Admissions 24/7
Eating disorder treatment for teen girls near Peoria, AZ.
For a Peoria family, the question is often not only how she gets well, but what happens to her semester while she does. Nexus Teen Academy plans for both. Girls ages 12 to 17 live at our licensed residence in Cave Creek, reached from Peoria in 35 to 45 minutes along Loop 101, and attend accredited classes every weekday.
- 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
Share your phone number, and a licensed counselor on the admissions team rings you, generally within minutes of your request, to discuss her eating, her school year and your coverage. There is no pressure and no obligation.
- 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 is accredited by The Joint Commission, and one clinical team there looks after girls working through anorexia, ARFID, bulimia or binge eating. Ages 12 to 17 share a house on a desert lot in Cave Creek. For many teens from the northwest Valley, restriction or bingeing began under pressure: competitive sports, a packed academic load, comments about her body. Treatment restores steady eating, works on that pressure directly, and keeps her coursework moving so the road back to class is clear.
Residential care begins only once her body is safe. A dangerously slow heart, fainting, abnormal labs or rapid weight loss point to a hospital stay first; once that team clears her, admissions confirms her start date. The residence is AZDHS-licensed, Joint Commission accredited and LegitScript certified.
Nexus Teen Academy provides residential treatment for teen eating disorders for families from Peoria, 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.
Her week has a clear shape: supported meals, daily therapy, weekday classes and family sessions, all run from one plan in an all-girls house. Goals get reviewed weekly against how she is doing physically and emotionally, so the length of her stay follows her needs rather than the calendar.
A full-picture intake
How she eats, how her weight has moved, labs, psychiatric background and her school and sports calendar, weighed together, so her plan matches the life she actually leads.
Safe to start
If her numbers say she is unstable, a hospital treats her before she arrives, and her start date follows the doctors' release.
Individual therapy daily
A named licensed clinician each weekday, focused on fear, perfectionism, rigid eating rules and the pressure beneath them.
Structured, supported meals
Three daily meals plus planned snacks, eaten with staff, on portions that increase in step with her body's recovery.
Family sessions and parent group
Weekly family sessions, plus a parents' meeting on Saturdays, prepare you for meals, practices and school nights at home.
Psychiatric prescriber on site
If anxiety, depression or obsessive thinking needs medication, the prescriber starts and reviews it at the house, only with your consent.
Credits that transfer
A certified teacher leads credit-bearing lessons on school days, and the credits go back with her to Peoria Unified.
A paced return to school
A written meal routine and list of warning signs, an outpatient team booked close to Peoria, and a gradual re-entry schedule with her school.
- Eating, school and the pressure underneath, handled together
Beyond the food
Conditions we treat alongside eating disorders.
Per the NIMH adolescent survey, 3.8% of girls report an eating disorder over their lifetime, and the rate climbs with age, from 2.4% in 13 and 14 year olds to 3.0% by 17 and 18. Most young people in that survey whose diagnosis was binge eating or bulimia also had another condition, anxiety and mood disorders especially.
So at Cave Creek, perfectionism, anxiety, low mood and trauma are worked on by the same team treating her eating, on one written plan. That matters for the return to Peoria, because a girl heading back into tests, practices and friendships needs more than normal meals to stay steady.
Why eating disorders surface in teen girls
Primary focus
ARFID, binge eating disorder, OSFED, anorexia and bulimia in adolescent girls
Depression
Low mood that tightens its grip as eating shrinks.
Anxiety & perfectionism
Perfectionism in class and sport that shows up at meals.
Trauma & PTSD
Food behaviors that keep painful memories quiet.
ADHD
ADHD impulsivity that can set off a binge.
Substance use
Vapes, pills or drinking to keep appetite down.
Dual diagnosis
When a substance problem and a psychiatric condition meet.
Self-harm
Screened at intake; can surface as behaviors ease.
Safety firstSuicidal ideation
Always assessed first, before treatment begins.
Safety first- Whatever is fueling the eating disorder, one team treats it on one plan in one home, with school built into every weekday.
The setting
A licensed residential setting for teen girls.
The residence is a real family home surrounded by Cave Creek desert, east of the northwest Valley. Mornings, afternoons and evenings follow a posted timetable of meals, sessions and lessons. Everyone cooks, sits and eats together, a staff member is up and alert overnight, and the state licenses the house through AZDHS.
Take a self-guided 3D walkthrough of the home
Life inside
A typical day in residential eating disorder treatment.
Early on, meals demand the most effort, and staffing follows that. Consistency is the tool: each adult meets fear, bargaining and rigid rules about food identically, which steadily shrinks the space the disorder has to push back.
-
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.
Two anchors come from the research. The American Psychiatric Association's 2023 guidance named family treatment targeted at the eating disorder as the recommended route for young patients, and teen studies back CBT-E as well. The residential setting builds on both with meal support every day, something a weekly appointment cannot supply.
Core therapies
1
Family-based treatment
Parents guide meals at first and step back as she regains control, the family-centered model the APA guideline points to for teens.
Helps withparents guide mealsstep back later2
CBT-E
Enhanced CBT that challenges her eating rules, constant body checks, and the belief that shape and weight define her.
Helps withbelief changebody checks3
Emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills
Daily skills practice, so stress before a game or a test meets a coping tool instead of restricting, bingeing or purging.
Helps withgame-day stressskill practice
Supporting care, running alongside
Exposure and body-image work
Feared foods and avoided moments, like a team dinner, worked through gradually after her body has stabilized.
team dinnersgradual stepsFamily therapy and parent group
Family therapy every week, at the house or on a secure link, and Saturday sessions where parents learn from each other.
weekly sessionsSaturday parentsEquine, art and experiential
Equine sessions on Fridays, with art and music as well, so movement and body are about strength and joy, not scores or size.
Friday equinenot about size
Your teen's clinical team
Meet our licensed clinical team.
Her care team is named from day one: her own licensed therapist, the prescribing psychiatric clinician, the house staff, and the certified teacher who runs her classes. Each Arizona license is listed for you to verify.
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
A licensed counselor walks through her current eating, recent weight changes, bingeing or purging, medical warning signs, diagnoses, earlier treatment and safety, and asks how school and sports are going. You leave the call knowing whether residential care fits.
- What to have ready: nothing. Just call, questions are welcome, and there is no obligation.
2
- Same day
- Free & confidential
Coverage check
Once you give permission, we check your policy and send back plain figures: what it pays toward residential behavioral-health treatment, our network status, and a straight estimate of what you would owe. Because eating disorder care is classed as mental-health coverage, we show exactly where your plan places it.
- 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
A licensed clinician goes through the history of her eating, her weight trajectory, psychiatric history, previous care and safety, plus the demands of her school and sport, and then advises how intensive her care should be. Current vitals and labs from her pediatrician determine whether hospital care comes first.
- 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 coordinator collects her clearance paperwork, medications, a checked packing list and her Peoria Unified records, so the teacher can plan her coursework from the start.
- 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
She meets the adults on her team, has lunch or dinner with the other girls and sees her classroom, and a family session is on the books before you go.
- From here: predictable days, weekly updates, and a team your teen knows by name.
Coverage & cost
Insurance coverage for eating disorder treatment
Nearly every major private plan treats a residential eating disorder program as a behavioral-health service, and Nexus Teen Academy accepts the bulk of large commercial carriers. We confirm your daughter's precise coverage, in network or out, free and confidential, usually on the day you call, and spell out your share of the bill clearly before you make a decision.
- 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
Know your residential coverage up front, with a free, confidential benefits check and no commitment.
After discharge
Step-down care and aftercare near Peoria.
Weeks before discharge, with you in every planning meeting, the team sets up PHP or IOP if it makes sense, books outpatient therapy, nutrition care and a pediatrician around Peoria, writes out meals plus early signs of trouble, and works with Peoria Unified on a paced return to classes.
Answers
Frequently asked questions about eating disorder treatment
Peoria families ask us about the drive, the school year, sports, meals, cost and privacy; here are clear answers.
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. For Peoria parents looking near me for help with an eating disorder, Nexus Teen Academy's Cave Creek home for girls ages 12 to 17 is roughly 35 to 45 minutes east via Loop 101. Reach admissions at (480) 485-3424 any hour.
Usually 35 to 45 minutes east on Loop 101, depending on where in Peoria you start and how busy the freeway is. Weekly in-person family sessions are realistic for most families.
Yes, girls ages 12 to 17 only. Topics like body changes, pressure in sport, social media, dating and past trauma are easier to discuss when every peer at the table is a girl.
A coordinator helps you plan the drive from Peoria, confirms medical clearance and paperwork, and sends a checked packing list so the day goes smoothly.
Care & cost
Her certified teacher holds credit-bearing classes Monday through Friday, and credits transfer. We request her Peoria Unified records at admission so her coursework continues, then map out a gradual return with the district.
It often shapes it. Sports can add pressure around weight, shape and performance. Her therapist addresses that directly, and any return to her sport is discussed with her physician and family as part of discharge planning.
The program covers OSFED, anorexia nervosa (typical or atypical), ARFID, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, along with the anxiety, perfectionism, depression or trauma that often sit beside them.
Most big private plans pay for residential eating disorder care through their mental-health coverage when she meets medical necessity. We review benefits free and confidentially, normally within the day, with costs explained before you commit.
Expect roughly 30 days or longer, adjusted to clinical markers. Her return to school is gradual, often through PHP or IOP first, on a schedule agreed with Peoria Unified and her outpatient team.
Licensing & privacy
Yes. It holds an AZDHS behavioral-health residential license, carries accreditation from The Joint Commission, and has LegitScript certification, all of which you can verify before deciding.
Only what you authorize. Records are HIPAA protected, and we share information with her school contact, pediatrician or insurer only with your written consent.
You attend family therapy each week in the room or online, join the Saturday parents' session, hear regularly from her therapist, and practice meal support so home, school and practice schedules stay steady after discharge.
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.
What the data shows
Teen eating disorder statistics parents should know
CDC figures for 2023 found a majority of the nation's high school girls feeling sad or hopeless in a persistent way. The numbers below, each sourced, show why the high school years deserve attention.

3.8%
Lifetime eating disorder rates in the U.S. run at 3.8% for girls 13 through 18 but 2.7% once every adolescent is counted (NIMH, NCS-A).
3.0%
By 17 to 18, the lifetime figure reaches 3.0%, compared with 2.4% for those aged 13 to 14, which tracks the climb from middle school to senior year (NIMH, NCS-A).
49%
Full remission at 12 months reached 49% of teens with anorexia who had family-based treatment, versus 23% for those in individual therapy (Lock et al., 2010).
1 in 4
Across the state, 1 in 4 Arizona teens who needed mental-health treatment could get it only with great difficulty, or not at all (AZDHS, 2026).
Risk rises through each grade of high school, so noticing changes early, around a sports season or finals, gives her more time to recover before the next school year.
Since a quarter of Arizona adolescents, 1 in 4, struggle to reach care, Peoria families who act early can plan treatment around the school calendar instead of scrambling mid-semester for an outpatient slot.
Residential care vs. a teen group home
A family-style house with full clinical structure.
Is a group home on your list because her eating disorder needs more than weekly visits? The girls' residence in Cave Creek, 35 to 45 minutes from Peoria, operates under AZDHS licensure as a residential behavioral-health home, with meals, therapy and accredited classes in one place.
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 had girls treated in Cave Creek. We help map the route, and parents join family sessions weekly, sitting with us or logged in over secure video.
Across Arizona
From Peoria to Cave Creek: travel and visits.
From Peoria, getting to Cave Creek takes about 35 to 45 minutes heading east on Loop 101, so a weekly family session plus a weekend visit is easy to manage. Admissions is available 24/7.
A 35 to 45 minute drive east
Expect 35 to 45 minutes from Peoria along Loop 101, a drive that fits an after-work family session or a Saturday visit, even with a sibling's school schedule in the mix.
Family therapy each week
Moms and dads join family therapy every week, sitting in or dialing in by secure video, whichever fits the week, so busy Peoria households with games, practices and work shifts stay involved.
Back to Peoria, step by step
Before discharge: PHP or IOP if needed, counseling, dietitian visits and a pediatrician near Peoria, and a stepped return to class coordinated with Peoria Unified School District.
Nexus Teen Academy, Cave Creek · girls’ residence
Admissions 24/7

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Directions from Peoria to Cave Creek
About 35-45 min east to Cave Creek
Saddle Mountain Rd, 85331 · 20 min north
Lake Pleasant area, P83 and Loop 101 corridor
Travel, telehealth & aftercare
Every Nexus program, statewide
Find the right program for your daughter.
A single clinical team handles a range of conditions for families statewide. Select the struggle nearest to your daughter's, then see how care is set up for families nearby.
Nexus Teen Academy runs licensed residential treatment for young people ages 12 to 17 covering anxiety, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, depression, ADHD, self-harm, substance use, bipolar disorder, and trauma and PTSD. A Peoria girl in eating disorder care would stay at our Cave Creek house, where classes run every weekday, and families from Peoria and the wider northwest Valley get drive guidance and video family sessions.
Depression care, statewide
Nearby cities we serve for eating disorder care
Every city listed here has a page on how its girls get to Cave Creek, with details on the drive, supporting meals at home, returning to school there and the questions parents raise.
Related teen treatment programs
Tap a condition for its statewide guide; the linked cities alongside explain the local picture for families.
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
Not seeing your city? We welcome daughters from anywhere in Arizona, and beyond it. Call (480) 485-3424 to hear how the drive and admission would work for your family.


