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Teen Mental Health Treatment in Arizona

Counselors online nowJoint Commission accredited · AZDHS licensedCave Creek, AZ

Residential emotional dysregulation treatment for teen girls in Arizona.

Some girls feel everything at full volume, and the crash afterward can be just as hard as the outburst. Nexus Teen Academy helps girls ages 12 to 17 learn to ride out intense emotions at our licensed, girls-only home in Cave Creek, north of Phoenix, with CBT, EMDR and daily skills work.

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From anywhere in Arizona, leave a good way to reach you and a licensed admissions counselor will call back, often within minutes, to talk through what you are seeing at home, what your plan covers and the next steps.

Licensed in Arizona. Accredited nationally. Independently verified.
The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval for Nexus Teen Academy
Arizona Department of Health Services licensed residential treatment facility seal
LegitScript certified seal for Nexus Teen Academy
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Every credential is independently verifiable. Joint Commission · AZDHS registry · LegitScript.

Home-like living area at a Nexus Teen Academy residence in Arizona
Backyard and mountain views at a Nexus Teen Academy Arizona center
The Joint Commission National Quality Approval Gold SealJoint Commission accreditedAZDHS-licensed · LegitScript certified
The girls' residence is in Cave CreekJust north of the Phoenix metro, welcoming families from Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma and Prescott.

About Nexus Teen Academy

About Nexus Teen Academy's emotional dysregulation program for girls.

Nexus Teen Academy is an AZDHS-licensed, Joint Commission-accredited residential program for teenage girls whose emotions surge faster and higher than they can handle. The girls' house stands on desert acreage in Cave Creek, north of Phoenix, and serves ages 12 to 17. Emotional dysregulation is not a single diagnosis. It often travels with anxiety, depression, ADHD or past trauma, so each stay begins by sorting out what is fueling the storms before anyone decides how to calm them.

Clinicians watch how quickly her feelings rise, how long they take to settle and what tends to set them off, then build a plan around that pattern. The home is AZDHS-licensed, Joint Commission accredited and LegitScript certified.

In short

Nexus Teen Academy provides residential treatment for teen emotional dysregulation in 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

2

Accredited Arizona centers

12 to 17

Ages we treat, gender-separate

24/7

Awake clinical staff, every hour

1:1

A primary therapist, by name

Where residential care fits: IOP, PHP or residential

The subacute level between weekly therapy and a hospital bed.

Step downOutpatient & IOP

Therapy once or a few times a week. Your teen stays home and at school.

Nexus Teen AcademyResidential treatment

Live-in clinical care with 24/7 awake staff, daily therapy, and accredited school, in a real home.

You are here
Step upInpatient hospitalization

Short-term acute stabilization for immediate medical or safety crisis.

IOP vs PHP vs residential care, compared
QuestionIntensive outpatient (IOP)Partial hospitalization (PHP)Residential (RTC)
Best forA step down from PHP, or a starting point for teens who need more than weekly therapyA step down from residential care, or a starting point for teens who need structure without 24/7 careTeens who need 24/7 care in a safe, immersive setting
Where your teen sleepsAt homeAt home each eveningA licensed, home-like residence with 24/7 awake staff
Weekly scheduleAbout 4 hours a day (10:30 to 2:30 or 1:00 to 5:00), 3 to 4 days a weekSeveral days a week, multiple hours a dayDaily therapy, with care around the clock
Typical length30 to 90+ days30 to 90 days30 to 60 days
SchoolStays in school; IOP is therapy-focused, with no academic supportDaily schoolwork time in a classroom, with educators on staffAccredited, credit-bearing classes on site
FamilyWeekly individual therapy and family counseling every other weekFamily therapy sessions includedWeekly 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 team

The program

What our residential emotional dysregulation program includes.

Therapy, skills coaching, school and family sessions all sit on one written plan inside a girls-only house with a predictable day. Every girl gets each element listed below, and her team checks progress weekly against moments staff saw firsthand rather than memory alone.

Whole-picture assessment

Anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, mood conditions and substance use screened, so the plan targets what is really driving the outbursts.

Trigger and recovery tracking

Staff note what set off each surge, how high it climbed and how long recovery took, so patterns become visible within weeks.

Daily individual therapy

A named licensed clinician every weekday, using CBT on triggers and reactions and EMDR when past trauma keeps firing.

Emotion-regulation skills

Naming feelings, paced breathing, grounding and distress-tolerance skills, rehearsed daily until they hold up under real pressure.

Family therapy and parent group

Weekly family sessions and the Saturday parent group on staying calm, validating feelings and setting limits during a blowup.

Psychiatric care and medication

The on-site prescriber treats co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression or ADHD, with your consent at every change.

Accredited academics

Credit-bearing classes every weekday with a certified teacher, so school stays on track while she builds new coping habits.

A predictable daily rhythm

Consistent wake, meal, class and bedtime hours, with calm spaces available, because fewer surprises mean fewer flashpoints.

Co-occurring care

Conditions we treat alongside emotional dysregulation.

Big, hard-to-control emotions rarely show up alone. In 2023, 53% of U.S. high school girls reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, and about 17% of adolescents have hurt themselves on purpose at least once, often to get relief from feelings that felt unbearable.

Inside the Cave Creek residence a single team treats the emotional storms together with whatever feeds them, from anxiety and trauma to ADHD or a depressive low, so she is not bounced between separate programs while the underlying problem goes unaddressed.

Understanding emotional dysregulation in girls

The setting

Our girls-only residential home in Cave Creek.

The residence is a real home on open desert land in Cave Creek, roughly 30 minutes north of central Phoenix. Only girls live there, the schedule barely changes from day to day, quiet corners are available when feelings run high, awake staff cover every night, and the house carries full AZDHS licensure.

Home-like living room inside a Nexus Teen Academy residence in Arizona
Teen bedroom with natural sunlight at a Nexus Teen Academy residence
Kitchen and dining room where Nexus Teen Academy residents share meals
Backyard with mountain views at a Nexus Teen Academy home in Arizona
Game room with a ping-pong table at a Nexus Teen Academy residence

Take a self-guided 3D walkthrough of the home

Life inside

A typical day in residential emotional dysregulation treatment.

Predictability lowers the temperature. When meals, school, sessions and lights-out land at the same time each day, fewer moments catch her off guard, and staff can coach a skill right when a feeling starts to climb.

MorningAfternoonEvening
  1. A teen bedroom filled with natural morning light at a Nexus Teen Academy Arizona residence -
    Morning

    Hygiene, meds & breakfast

    Hygiene and meds from 6:30 to 7:30, then breakfast from 7:30 to 8:00.

  2. The on-site accredited classroom at a Nexus Teen Academy Arizona center -
    Morning

    Gratitude 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.

  3. Teens in a group therapy session with a clinician at Nexus Teen Academy -
    Morning

    Group therapy & lunch

    Group therapy from 11:00 to 12:00, then lunch and mindfulness from 12:00 to 1:00.

  4. The recreation room with a ping-pong table at a Nexus Teen Academy Arizona residence -
    Afternoon

    Group therapy

    Group therapy from 2:00 to 3:00, a snack at 3:00, then group therapy again from 3:15 to 4:00.

  5. The shared kitchen and dining room where residents eat together -
    Afternoon

    Movement, 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.

  6. The backyard and mountain view at a Nexus Teen Academy Arizona residence in the evening -
    Evening

    Free 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

Family phone calls 4:00 - 6:00 pm, every day

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

Evidence-based therapies for teen emotional dysregulation.

CBT carries the core work on spotting triggers, slowing the jump from feeling to reaction and planning what to do next time, while EMDR is added when old trauma keeps setting off the alarm. Living on site means skills get practiced in real moments, not only in a weekly office hour.

One treatment planOne clinical teamReviewed weeklyTracked against her goals

Core therapies

  • A teen in a one-on-one therapy session with a Nexus Teen Academy clinician1

    Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

    Maps the chain from trigger to thought to reaction, then builds a plan to interrupt it before a feeling turns into a blowup.

    Helps withcore therapytrigger plans
  • Teens supporting each other in a group therapy session2

    EMDR

    When past trauma keeps setting off intense reactions, EMDR helps reprocess those memories so they lose their grip. Begun once she is stable.

    Helps withtrauma-drivenafter stability
  • A weekly family therapy session with parents and a clinician3

    Emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills

    Naming the feeling, slowing the breath and grounding in the room, practiced daily until the skill shows up on its own.

    Helps withdaily practicereal moments

Supporting care, running alongside

  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication

    The prescriber looks for anxiety, depression, ADHD or mood conditions behind the surges and treats them only when indicated.

    co-occurring careyour consent
  • Family therapy and parent group

    Family sessions every week, face to face or by secure video, plus a Saturday group where parents practice calm responses and firm limits.

    weeklyde-escalation
  • Equine, art and experiential

    Friday equine sessions, art and music give her ways to notice and settle strong feelings that words alone do not reach.

    equine Fridaysbody awareness
None of these run separately, they sit in one plan, owned by one clinical team.

Your teen's clinical team

Meet our licensed clinical team.

Each girl is paired with a named, licensed primary therapist, a psychiatric prescriber for any co-occurring condition, and residential staff you will get to know. Any clinician's Arizona license can be looked up in the state registry linked below.

Hannah Carr-Unquera, Executive Director at Nexus Teen AcademyLPC, BC-TMH

Hannah Carr-Unquera

Executive Director

Leads the clinical program, licensed in Arizona and board certified in telemental health.

Dr. Tyler White, Director of Adolescent Clinical Services at Nexus Teen AcademyLCSW, DSW

Dr. Tyler White

Director of Adolescent Clinical Services

Sets the treatment plan each resident’s team works to, and supervises the clinicians who deliver it.

Alexandria Penner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Nexus Teen AcademyDNP, PMHNP-BC

Alexandria Penner

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Runs psychiatric evaluation and medication management on-site, so prescribing stays inside the house.

Ashley Daniels, Director of Family Services & Education at Nexus Teen AcademyHouse team

Ashley 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.

Jennifer Inderberg, Education Supervisor at Nexus Teen AcademyHouse team

Jennifer 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.

Melissa Stockmar, Director of Food Operations at Nexus Teen AcademyHouse team

Melissa 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.

Google
Carol Trombino profile picture
Carol Trombino
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
Google
Hemella Sweatt profile picture
Hemella Sweatt
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
Google
S H profile picture
S H
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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.
Google
Amanda Hayes profile picture
Amanda Hayes
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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.
Google
Alisha profile picture
Alisha
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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.
Google
Vanessa Anaya profile picture
Vanessa Anaya
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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.
Google
Sean Hayes profile picture
Sean Hayes
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
Google
Zane Bedford profile picture
Zane Bedford
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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.
Google
lily henderson profile picture
lily henderson
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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.
Google
Jasmine Carter profile picture
Jasmine Carter
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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.

4.7/ 5

★★★★★34 verified Google reviews · Nexus Teen Academy
Read them all on 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.”
CCarol TrombinoVerified Google review
“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 →
HHemella SweattVerified Google 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 →
SS. H.Verified Google review
31 more reviews on GoogleUnedited, public, and open for any family to add their own.Read every review →

These come straight from our public Google Business Profile, anyone can read all 34 and add their own.

Getting started

How admission works, from first call to first day.

Teen in a one-on-one therapy session with a Nexus Teen Academy clinician
Our promise while you decide

1

One calm call

A licensed counselor asks what her outbursts or shutdowns look like, how long they last, what usually sets them off, whether there has been self-harm, and which diagnoses or medications she has had, then tells you honestly whether residential care fits.

2

Coverage check

With your consent we contact your insurer and send back plain numbers for residential behavioral-health care, whether we are in network, and a realistic out-of-pocket figure, usually before the day is out. Emotional dysregulation care falls under the behavioral-health benefit when medical necessity is met.

3

Clinical assessment

A licensed clinician reviews her emotional history, earlier treatment, school picture, family history and safety, then recommends the level of care the findings support. Notes on recent blowups, with dates and triggers, help a great deal.

4

Plan the arrival

One named coordinator arranges travel, school records, current prescriptions and a safety-reviewed packing list, and confirms every detail in writing along with a direct number for questions.

5

A gentle, planned arrival

Your daughter meets her therapist and the girls she will live with, starts the daily routine that first evening, and your first family update is booked before you drive away.

Coverage & cost

Does insurance cover teen emotional dysregulation treatment?

Residential treatment for the conditions that drive severe emotional dysregulation is usually billed under the behavioral-health benefit on major private plans, and Nexus Teen Academy accepts most commercial insurers. Our team confirms your daughter's specific coverage, in or out of network, at no charge and in confidence, often within the same day, and walks you through any costs before you commit.

  1. 1You send your plan detailsTwo required fields. Member ID optional. Takes about a minute.
  2. 2We verify with your insurer directlyIn-network or out-of-network, free and confidential, usually the same day.
  3. 3You get the number in plain EnglishYour exact out-of-pocket cost, explained before you commit to anything.
Aetna insurance logo
Cigna insurance logo
GEHA insurance logo
Beacon Health Options insurance logo

Out-of-network or unsure about your plan? Call anyway, cost should never be the reason a teen doesn't get help.

Verify your insurance in 2 minutes

See what your plan pays toward residential emotional dysregulation treatment, free, confidential and with no obligation.

HIPAA-protectedNo obligationNever sold or shared

After discharge

Aftercare planning after residential treatment.

Discharge planning starts weeks out and includes you: her personal list of early warning signs and the coping steps that work for her, an outpatient therapist and prescriber booked close to home, a written plan for heated moments, and a gradual return to class with her school.

Four teen girls making heart shapes with their hands in a sunny field

Answers

Frequently asked questions about emotional dysregulation treatment

Parents' most common questions about residential care for emotional dysregulation in girls, covering distance, therapy, safety, cost, school and privacy.

Your question isn’t here?

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) 485-3424

Centers & getting there

Yes. If you are searching for emotional dysregulation treatment near me anywhere in Arizona, Nexus Teen Academy treats girls ages 12 to 17 at its girls-only residence in Cave Creek, about 30 minutes north of central Phoenix. Reach admissions any time at (480) 485-3424.

The residence sits off E Saddle Mountain Rd in Cave Creek. Expect about two hours from Tucson or Flagstaff, around 80 minutes from Prescott and close to three hours from Yuma. Weekly family sessions can run by secure video when the drive is long.

Many girls find it easier to talk about anger, shame, friendships, online drama and self-harm when only girls are in the room. Bedrooms, groups and daily life at the Cave Creek house are for girls 12 to 17 only.

Absolutely. Families take part in a weekly therapy session, on site or over video, can join the Saturday parent group, get regular check-ins from her primary therapist, and are welcome to walk through the house before she arrives.

Care & cost

It describes trouble managing how strong a feeling gets and how long it lasts. It can look like explosive anger, crying that will not stop, sudden shutdowns or impulsive acts, and it often comes with anxiety, depression, ADHD or trauma.

Most teens have big feelings. Concern grows when reactions are far larger than the trigger, take hours to settle, happen most days, or lead to self-harm, running off, school refusal or damaged relationships.

CBT and EMDR carry the core work, supported by daily emotion-regulation and distress-tolerance skills, family therapy, psychiatric care for any co-occurring condition, and Friday equine, art and music sessions.

Many commercial plans do when medical necessity is met, which depends on the conditions involved, safety risk and outpatient care already tried. Nexus Teen Academy accepts most major private insurance and checks your benefits free before you decide.

Stays are planned around 30 days or more, then adjusted to progress such as fewer and shorter blowups and skills she uses without reminders. Step-down care, an outpatient team near home and a school return plan are arranged before discharge.

Licensing & privacy

Yes. AZDHS licenses the Cave Creek home as a behavioral-health residential facility, The Joint Commission accredits it and LegitScript certifies it, and you can confirm each one directly with the organization that issued it.

Yes. HIPAA protects her health records, which are released only to people you approve, for example her pediatrician, a school contact or your insurer. Anything you tell admissions stays confidential.

Yes. A certified teacher runs credit-bearing classes every weekday, and before discharge the team works with her home school on a paced return so she does not fall further behind.

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 data

Teen emotional dysregulation statistics parents should know

Intense emotions are a normal part of adolescence, but for many girls they spill into self-harm, suicidal thinking or months of sadness. Every figure below lists its source.

Aerial view of a Nexus Teen Academy residential center in Arizona

53%

of U.S. high school girls felt persistently sad or hopeless during the past year (CDC YRBS, 2023).

27%

of U.S. high school girls seriously considered suicide in the past year (CDC YRBS, 2023).

17.2%

of adolescents in community samples have deliberately injured themselves at least once (Swannell et al., 2014).

1 in 4

Arizona adolescents who needed mental-health care found it very difficult or impossible to get (AZDHS, 2026).

Outbursts, shutdowns and self-harm are often signs of feelings a girl cannot yet manage, and those skills can be taught.

With 1 in 4 Arizona teens struggling to reach care, waiting for an outpatient opening can mean months of continued blowups at home.

Sources: CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report, 2013-2023; Swannell et al., Prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury in nonclinical samples, Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 2014; Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Adolescent Mental Health Report, 2026.

Teen group home care for Arizona girls

A family-style house, run by a clinical team.

Weighing group homes for a daughter whose feelings now run the household? Girls from all over Arizona stay at our girls-only Cave Creek home, licensed by AZDHS as a behavioral-health residential facility, where therapy, school and a steady routine happen in the same place.

A typical group home

Nexus homes

Families from the Phoenix metro 9 cities

Families from Greater Arizona 6 cities

Families in every city listed here have daughters living at our Cave Creek residence. Admissions helps map out the travel, and parents take part in family therapy each week face to face or over secure video.

Across Arizona

Emotional dysregulation treatment for girls across Arizona.

Cave Creek sits within reach of most Arizona families: around two hours from Tucson by I-10, a similar drive from Flagstaff down I-17, and about 45 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor for anyone flying in. Admissions answers every hour of every day.

Within a half-day of most of the state

About two hours from Tucson on I-10, 2½ hours from Flagstaff on I-17, 1½ hours from Prescott, and three hours from Yuma on I-8, with Sierra Vista and Lake Havasu City a similar reach.

Telehealth & travel, handled

Secure weekly family telehealth for families outside the metro, plus help planning the drive or the flight into Phoenix Sky Harbor, so distance never means dropping out of treatment.

Aftercare mapped to your community

Before she leaves, a step-down option and an outpatient therapist and prescriber are lined up close to home, and school re-entry is planned with your district, whether that is Tucson Unified, Flagstaff Unified or a West Valley district.

Nexus Teen Academy, Cave Creek · girls’ residence

2695 E Saddle Mountain Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331

Admissions 24/7

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Where the Cave Creek residence is located

Anthem, Desert Hills and New River

Saddle Mountain Rd, 85331 · 20 min north

Served from the Cave Creek residence

Travel, telehealth & aftercare

Every Nexus program, statewide

Find the right program for your daughter.

A single clinical team, many conditions, and families from all over Arizona. Start with what your daughter is dealing with, then see how care works for families in your part of the state.

Conditions treated, ages 12 to 17
8
Arizona cities our families come from
15
Residences, girls
2
Admissions line, every day
24 /7

Licensed residential care at Nexus Teen Academy serves young people aged 12 to 17, and the conditions treated include emotional dysregulation, mood swings, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, substance use, and ADHD. Girls working on emotional dysregulation stay at the girls-only Cave Creek residence, while families anywhere in Arizona receive help with drive times, travel and secure video family therapy.

Depression care, statewide

Emotional dysregulation treatment for girls across Arizona

Each city below sends girls to our Cave Creek residence. Admissions helps with the route, a plan for heated moments once she is home, re-entry with your school district and the local questions parents raise most often.

Other conditions we treat for teens

Each condition leads to its Arizona guide, and the cities beside it show how care works for families from there.

Your city is not listed? We admit girls from anywhere in Arizona and from out of state. Call (480) 485-3424 and we will walk you through the drive to Cave Creek and how admission works.