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Teen Mental Health Treatment in Arizona

Arizona’s Trusted Teen Residential Treatment Center Near Desert Hills, AZ

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Licensed by Arizona Department of Health Services
Nexus Teen Academy's Teen Mental Health Arizona

Structured & Licensed Residential Treatment for Desert Hills Adolescents

Nexus Teen Academy’s (ADHS-licensed facility), Desert Hills residential treatment program is designed for teens aged 13 to 17 who need more than a weekly appointment or short-term support. Our program gives adolescents a structured place to live, with 24/7 oversight and evidence-based care for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Once treatment becomes daily and consistent, the teen’s focus can move from managing the issue to understanding what is keeping the addiction in motion.

Treatment begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment, which allows our team to understand each teen’s history, symptoms, and needs before building the treatment plan around them. From there, they may participate in therapies such as individual, group, and family therapy, along with ACT, and CBT, so substance use and the mental health issues around it are addressed within one coordinated approach.

Teens receive guided academic support, regular therapeutic sessions, and participate in recreation activities that help them rebuild routine, improve cognitive well-being, and take responsibility.

And when treatment is nearing completion, we help teens prepare for what comes next through a personalized aftercare plan. This helps them reinforce the progress made in residential care once they return home.

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🕐 Working Hours Mon - Sat ( 8am - 5pm )
Sunday ( 8am - 1pm )

Conditions We Treat

Substance Addiction

Mental Health Conditions

Therapies We Employ in Our Teen Residential Rehab

Group Therapy

Teens can feel like no one gets it until they sit with others who do.
In group therapy, they share what they are going through and learn from peers in a safe, guided environment.
With a therapist leading the process, the group stays respectful and focused, while teens build confidence, honesty, and social skills.
Group Therapy

Family Therapy

Family involvement is not an add-on. It is the most crucial part of our treatment.
Our therapists help families improve communication, reduce conflict cycles, create a strong bond, and set boundaries that feel fair and clear.
When families get educated and learn new ways to cope together, teens have a stronger support system for long-term recovery.
Family Therapy

Individual Therapy

Every teen gets in a one-on-one session with our licensed therapist.
This is where they can speak openly without pressure, vent out their feelings, and make sense of the thoughts that keep pulling them down.
Individual Therapy

Holistic and Recreation Therapies

During the treatment, teens may take part in therapies like yoga, art, surf, hiking, music, and equine-assisted therapy.
These activities help them calm the body, reset the mind, and find joy again.
Holistic

Evidence-Based Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps teens target their negative thoughts and routines that are quietly feeding their addiction, stress, and anxiety.

Our therapists, through CBT techniques, help teens recognize those patterns and replace them with healthier coping skills.

Group Therapy

Clinician-led peer groups build coping and communication skills.

Teens practice new skills in a supportive, structured setting.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT teaches teens how to make room for cravings and withdrawal symptoms without letting them take over.

They learn to notice urges, name them, and choose their next step based on their values, not the craving.

This increases psychological flexibility and often reduces the pull of urges over time.

Interpersonal Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy gives teens a different way to look at what they’re going through.

Instead of thinking, This is who I am, they learn to see their addiction struggle as something happening to them rather than an internal fault.

Mindfulness Practices

Mindfulness therapy trains teens to observe their present moment without judging themselves. In recovery, this weakens the loops of worry, shame, and craving.



Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

FFT involves working with families to resolve conflicts and strengthen family dynamics, providing a supportive environment for the teen's recovery.


Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

TF-CBT helps teens in processing their traumatic events safely, equips them with coping skills, and builds better emotion regulation.

With practice, triggers feel less intense, and daily functioning improves.

How to Begin Teen Recovery With a Clear Plan for What Comes Next

As a parent, knowing what to expect during the residential treatment program can ease worry and help you support your teen through the same fears and questions.

Recovery Process
01

Receive the Details

The process is quite simple and transparent. You will receive the details about the program, how admission happens, and our treatment approach. We will also explain what daily care may look like and who will be involved in your teen’s support team.

02

Pre-Admission Stage

After orientation, we move into the assessment and pre-admission stage. This is where our clinical team takes time to understand your teen as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms. We review medical history, past treatment, current medications (if any), and relevant cultural or family factors. We also try to understand mood, thinking patterns, behavior, and other needs.

03

Parents Input

Your input matters a lot during this step. Parents often notice patterns that teens cannot fully describe yet, like changes in sleep, school stress, social withdrawal, or risk-taking. Your perspective helps us form a more accurate picture, which improves our decision-making.

04

Individualized Plan

Once we complete the assessment, we use the results to build a structured, individualized treatment plan. This plan guides which therapy to be utilized, skill-building, family involvement, and any medication treatment that may be needed, with clear goals we can measure over time.

05

Start Your Treatment

If your teen is accepted, the admission process begins. We will walk you through each step, including paperwork, insurance coordination, documentation, what to pack, and what your teen can expect on day one.

What a Typical Day Looks Like for Teens in Our Residential Rehab

Structure and predictability help teens feel safe and make progress. This is the real weekday routine at Nexus Teen Academy. Today is already open below; tap any day to see the rest. Family phone calls happen between 4:00 and 6:00 PM.

Monday

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7:00 AM  Wake Up & Hygiene

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7:30 - 8:00 AM  Breakfast & Meds

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8:30 AM  Gratitude Journal

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9:00 AM  Clinical Group or Outing

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10:45 AM  Snack

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11:00 AM  Clinical Group or Outing

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12:30 PM  Lunch & Mindfulness

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1:00 - 2:00 PM  Education

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2:15 PM  Snack

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2:25 - 3:45 PM  Education

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4:00 - 5:00 PM  Nursing Group

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5:00 PM  Dinner

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6:00 - 7:00 PM  Evening Activity & Meds

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7:00 - 8:30 PM  TV & Free Time

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8:30 - 9:00 PM  Evening Routine & Hygiene

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9:00 PM  Gratitude Journal & Electronics Off

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9:30 PM  Lights Out

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Tuesday

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7:00 AM  Wake Up & Hygiene

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7:30 - 8:00 AM  Breakfast & Meds

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8:30 AM  Gratitude Journal

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9:00 AM  Clinical Group

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10:45 AM  Snack

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11:00 AM  Clinical Group

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12:30 PM  Lunch & Mindfulness

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1:00 - 2:00 PM  Education

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2:15 PM  Snack

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2:25 - 3:45 PM  Education

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4:00 - 5:00 PM  Nursing Group

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5:00 PM  Dinner

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6:00 - 7:00 PM  Evening Activity & Meds

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7:00 - 8:30 PM  TV & Free Time

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8:30 - 9:00 PM  Evening Routine & Hygiene

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9:00 PM  Gratitude Journal & Electronics Off

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Wednesday

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7:00 AM  Wake Up & Hygiene

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7:30 - 8:00 AM  Breakfast & Meds

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8:30 AM  Gratitude Journal

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9:00 AM  Education

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10:45 AM  Snack

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10:50 - 11:30 AM  Education

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11:30 AM - 12:30 PM  Cooking Group

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12:30 PM  Lunch & Mindfulness

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1:00 - 2:15 PM  Clinical Group

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2:15 PM  Snack

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2:25 - 3:45 PM  Clinical Group

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4:00 - 5:00 PM  Nursing Group

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5:00 PM  Dinner

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6:00 - 7:00 PM  Evening Activity & Meds

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7:00 - 8:30 PM  TV & Free Time

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8:30 - 9:00 PM  Evening Routine & Hygiene

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9:00 PM  Gratitude Journal & Electronics Off

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Thursday

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7:00 AM  Wake Up & Hygiene

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7:30 - 8:00 AM  Breakfast & Meds

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8:30 AM  Gratitude Journal

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9:00 AM  Clinical Group

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10:45 AM  Snack

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11:00 AM  Clinical Group

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12:30 PM  Lunch & Mindfulness

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1:00 - 2:00 PM  Education

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2:15 PM  Snack

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2:25 - 3:45 PM  Education

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4:00 - 5:00 PM  Nursing Group

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5:00 PM  Dinner

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6:00 - 7:00 PM  Evening Activity & Meds

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7:00 - 8:30 PM  TV & Free Time

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8:30 - 9:00 PM  Evening Routine & Hygiene

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9:00 PM  Gratitude Journal & Electronics Off

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9:30 PM  Lights Out

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Friday

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7:00 AM  Wake Up & Hygiene

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7:30 - 8:00 AM  Breakfast & Meds

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8:30 AM  Gratitude Journal

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9:30 AM  Leave for Equine

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10:00 AM - 12:00 PM  Equine Therapy

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12:30 PM  Lunch & Mindfulness

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1:00 - 2:00 PM  Clinical Group

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2:15 PM  Snack

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2:25 - 4:00 PM  Education

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4:00 - 5:00 PM  Nursing Group

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5:00 PM  Dinner

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6:00 - 7:00 PM  Evening Activity & Meds

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7:00 - 8:30 PM  TV & Free Time

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8:30 PM  Evening Routine & Hygiene

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9:30 PM  Gratitude Journal & Electronics Off

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10:00 PM  Lights Out

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Weekend

Monday to Friday we run the routine you can open in the day tabs above. Weekends work differently, so we would rather tell you exactly how they run than put a generic list on a web page.

Call us and we will walk you through a full weekend at Nexus Teen Academy, hour by hour, and answer anything else you want to ask.

Call (480) 485-3424

Someone answers this line any time, including weekends.

Supportive environment

Take a Tour of Our Facility

Our Teen Male Treatment
Facility

A Virtual Tour of Nexus Teen Academy: Oak

Our Teen Female Treatment
Facility

A Virtual Tour of Nexus Teen Academy: Mesquite

Our Teen Outpatient Treatment Facility

A Virtual Tour of Nexus Teen Academy: Willow

What Makes Our Residential Treatment Program the Right Choice for Your Addicted Teen

Because at Nexus, our residential rehab provides precisely what your teen’s condition needs.

Meet the Team Behind Our Residential Care

Meet the professionals who make your teen’s recovery possible.

Hear From Hemella and Other Parents

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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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lily henderson profile picture
lily henderson
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.
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Jasmine Carter profile picture
Jasmine Carter
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex 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.

Continue Recovery With Our Rehab Aftercare Support

Finishing residential care is an important achievement, but it is not the end of recovery. In many ways, the real work begins when your teen steps back into everyday life and faces the same pressures, triggers, and stress of home. Our rehab aftercare support is designed to support that transition with continued guidance, accountability, and care. Each plan is personalized by our case managers, who help assess the teen’s situation, address relapse risks, and adjust support as conditions change.

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Directions to Nexus Teen Academy from Desert Hills, AZ

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are certain signs that you can look for. High staff turnover, no accreditation, or relying on medication dosages instead of therapy can point to poor quality care. You should also be cautious if the facility seems more interested in revenue than your teen’s well-being.

Begin with care fundamentals, the therapies used, therapists’ qualifications, and emergency protocols. From there, ask how they include families and what aftercare support your teen will have after discharge. You should also ask if they have any sustainable results for the public. Lastly, ask which respected organizations they are licensed or accredited with in the field. For example, Nexus Teen Academy is licensed by the ADHS.

At this time, we do not offer scholarship funds. However, if your insurance does not cover treatment, we may be able to arrange an SCA, which stands for Single Case Agreement. An SCA is a case-by-case agreement between a healthcare provider, such as a rehab facility, and an insurance company. It can allow a client to receive care at a facility that is normally out of network while still using the client’s insurance benefits. These agreements are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

The treatment at Nexus Teen Academy is highly individualized, so the length of the program depends on each teen’s needs and circumstances. On average, the length of stay is about 30 to 60 days.

In our residential rehab, teens learn various types of life skills like managing stress, problem-solving, self-care, communication, and financial skills. Likewise, they also learn how to stay organized, think ahead, and follow through on plans. This combination helps them feel more confident and capable when they get back to their school, family, and community life.

We have trained staff members who supervise each teen 24/7 and respond quickly when support is needed. At the same time, we rely on structured rules and procedures that support safety and help maintain a positive & safe living environment.

Our Ivy League-educated teacher helps teens in managing their coursework and keeps families updated on progress during their time in our care. Besides this, we also coordinate with the teen’s school and follow the school board’s decisions on their leave of absence, helping make the transition back to school after treatment feel easy.

Yes. We do allow parents to visit, tour the facility, and meet members of our treatment team.

The importance of this question is easy to miss, but it affects safety and outcomes. Many rehabs do not have stringent admissions criteria. In those situations, teens may be exposed, frequently and unnecessarily, to peers who introduce destructive behaviors and dangers. That’s why at Nexus Teen Academy, we rely on a thorough screening process to make sure each teen accepted is an appropriate fit for our environment.

At Nexus Teen Academy, the treatment is led by our team of highly qualified professionals who have spent their careers treating substance abuse and mental health disorders in teens. The clinical staff includes psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, addiction specialists, and licensed therapists.

At Nexus Teen Academy, we take your teen’s confidentiality and privacy seriously and uphold the highest legal and ethical standards. By law, we are mandated to protect the privacy of their health information under federal and state requirements. In particular, we safeguard substance use disorder patient records under 42 U.S.C. § 290dd–2 and 42 C.F.R. Part 2, the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records (“Part 2”), in addition to HIPAA and applicable state law.

Client information here is managed through secure systems and shared only with authorized staff when it is necessary for treatment. We are required to give you a copy of this Notice and to inform you if there is a breach of teen’s unsecured health information. We will obtain your written authorization before we use or disclose the teen’s health information, unless the law permits us to use or disclose it without your authorization.