Compassionate Teen Residential Treatment Center Near Rough Rock, AZ
Licensed & Accredited By
Supporting Teens and Families Near Rough Rock, Arizona
Rough Rock, known in the Navajo language as Tsechizhi, is a close-knit community in Apache County along Indian Route 59, about 15 miles west of Many Farms and a short drive from Chinle. Nestled against the northeastern flank of Black Mesa in the heart of the Navajo Nation, it is a place shaped by strong family ties, deep cultural roots, and the wide sandstone landscapes of the Chinle Valley. When a teenager here begins to face a mental health or substance use crisis, families often feel the weight of distance from specialized adolescent care. Nexus Teen Academy is here to help, providing structured residential treatment at our campus in the greater Scottsdale area, where a full clinical team is ready to walk alongside your family.
Our residential program is designed for adolescents ages 13 to 17 who need more consistent support than outpatient sessions alone can offer. The typical stay lasts about 30 to 60 days, a window long enough for a teen to stabilize, learn durable coping skills, and begin real therapeutic progress, while keeping the goal of returning home firmly in sight. We honor each teen’s individual background, culture, and family life as we build their care, because we know that every young person’s path is different.
Many teens who come to us are facing several difficulties at once. A young person from the Rough Rock area may be showing signs of depression layered with substance use, or anxiety alongside the effects of past trauma. Our dual-diagnosis model treats co-occurring conditions side by side rather than separately, recognizing that emotional pain and substance use are frequently intertwined. Addressing them together gives teens a stronger, more realistic foundation for lasting recovery and helps families make sense of what they have been witnessing at home.
Healing continues well beyond a teen’s time on our campus. From the earliest stages of treatment, our team plans for the journey home, arranging aftercare supports so families near Rough Rock have a clear roadmap for continued care once the residential stay ends. Planning for what comes next is part of our commitment from day one, because recovery is strengthened by the support waiting at home.
Call: [insert page call-tracking number]
-
Trauma Informed Treatment
-
Substance Abuse Treatment
-
Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
-
Mental Health Treatment
-
Safe Healing Environment
-
Life-Long Results
Verify Your Insurance
Get Your Teen the Help They Need
Sunday ( 8am - 1pm )
Conditions We Treat
Substance Addiction
- Alcohol
- Nicotine / Vaping
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Meth (Methamphetamine, Stimulant)
- Heroin / Fentanyl
- Prescription Pills
- Opioids
- MDMA (Ecstasy / Molly)
- Hallucinogens (Psilocybin Mushrooms, LSD)
- Inhalants
- Cough Syrup (DXM)
- PCP (Phencyclidine)
Mental Health Conditions
- OCD
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Self-Harm
- Social Anxiety
- Psychotic Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- LGBTQ+ Mental Health
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Low Self-Esteem
- Eating Disorders
- Impulse Control
- Mood Disorders
- Bipolar 1 & 2
- Depression
- ADHD
- Anger
Therapies We Employ
Group Therapy
Family Therapy
Individual Therapy
Holistic and Recreation Therapies
Evidence-Based Therapies
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Helps teens recognize and reframe distorted thinking.
Builds concrete coping strategies for daily challenges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Develops distress tolerance and emotional balance.
Helps teens manage powerful, overwhelming emotions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Encourages accepting hard feelings while moving toward meaningful goals.
Helps teens identify the values that guide better decisions.
Interpersonal Narrative Therapy
Helps teens rewrite the limiting stories they hold about themselves.
Separates the teen from the problem to foster self-worth.
Mindfulness Practices
Breathing and grounding techniques that ease anxiety. Present-moment focus that reduces impulsivity and stress.
Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
Builds healthier family dynamics to support recovery. Addresses home patterns that may affect a teen's wellbeing.
Trauma-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Guides teens through processing trauma at a safe, gradual pace.
Pairs coping skills with deep respect for each teen's story.
What Happens Next? Get Started in 5 Simple Steps
Asking for help is a brave move, so we keep our admissions process simple and reassuring. Here is what families near Rough Rock can expect after they reach out, with a caring guide at every stage.
Receive the Details
A compassionate admissions specialist hears your concerns and explains how our program works, answering questions openly and honestly so you feel informed from the start.
Pre-Admission Stage
We collect background details and conduct a confidential assessment to understand your teen's specific needs and how we can best help.
Parents Input
Your voice as a parent matters deeply, and we welcome your insights to help guide your teen's care throughout their stay.
Individualized Plan
Our clinical team crafts a personalized treatment plan built around your teen's diagnosis, strengths, and goals, so care is never one-size-fits-all.
Start Your Treatment
Your teen settles into a safe, structured setting where genuine healing can begin and real progress can take shape.
What a Typical Day Looks Like
Consistency helps teens feel secure, so each day flows through a steady balance of therapy, learning, activity, and rest. While every teen's schedule is tailored to their plan, a typical day may include:
Waking up, morning hygiene, and a healthy breakfast shared as a community.
A morning check-in or mindfulness moment to set the tone for the day.
Individual therapy or dedicated academic time.
A nourishing lunch followed by a short rest.
Group therapy focused on coping skills and communication.
Holistic or recreation therapy such as movement and creative activities.
Dinner and an evening reflection or process group.
A calming wind-down routine and a consistent bedtime.
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
Why Nexus Teen Academy Is a Compassionate Choice for Families Near Rough Rock
Selecting a residential program is a profound decision for any parent. Families turn to Nexus Teen Academy for the depth of our care and the whole-person philosophy that runs through every part of our program, reflected in the pillars below.
Our psychiatric providers thoughtfully assess whether medication may aid a teen’s progress and monitor it with care and responsibility. When medication is part of a plan, it is always paired with therapy and regular review.
We tend to mind, body, and spirit through mindfulness, movement, and creative expression woven alongside proven therapies. This balanced approach helps teens heal in more than one dimension.
Wholesome, balanced meals support recovery and help teens build a healthier relationship with food and self-care. Good nutrition fuels both physical energy and emotional steadiness.
A warm community of peers and staff helps every teen feel understood, safe, and encouraged. Belonging is a powerful part of recovery, especially for teens who have felt isolated.
We build on each teen’s strengths and potential, growing confidence rather than focusing only on struggles. Teens leave with a clearer sense of their own capabilities.
Considerate, gender-specific programming lets teens address sensitive topics in a comfortable, supportive space where they can feel understood.
Our Staff
Every step of a teen’s progress is guided by a dedicated, licensed, and caring team. Our clinicians, nurses, and support staff bring extensive experience in adolescent mental health and substance use treatment, and they collaborate closely to create a safe, nurturing environment for each young person in our care. Every member of our team shares a genuine belief that teenagers can heal and grow when they are met with patience, structure, and respect.

Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah has been with Nexus since day one, initially joining as the Clinical Director before moving into the Chief Operating Officer role. Her clinical expertise and management skills will help Nexus grow into not only a place for healing for teens but an

Ashley Morton BSN, AAS, RN
Ashley received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University and has an Associates of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling. Her nursing background ranges from Emergency Room, Behavioral Health, Critical Care, and Leadership for

Dr. Tyler White, LCSW, DSW
Dr. White is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who holds a Doctorate in Social Work and has experience working with adolescents and families across diverse clinical settings. She is passionate about helping teens feel understood, supported, and capable of

Ashley Daniels
Ashley is passionate about supporting teens' social, emotional, and academic growth at Nexus. As a former director of theatre and teen programs, she developed liberal arts residential summer camps for Mount Holyoke College and Bryn Mawr College.

Jennifer Inderberg
With over 25 years of experience in education, Jennifer is passionate about supporting teens both academically and personally.

Alexandria Penner DNP, PMHNP-BC
Alex is a psychiatric nurse practitioner with over five years of experience supporting children and teens in crisis centers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics. She holds a nursing degree from Northern Arizona University and a doctorate from the University of

Melissa Stockmar
Chef Melissa is the Director of Food Operations at Nexus Teen Academy. Melissa Stockmar’s love and connection with food began at the age of 15. Growing up in the Midwest, every meal was treated as an important opportunity to spend time together with family and

Joe Gilmore
Joe Gilmore is the Director of Marketing at Nexus, where he leads digital outreach and content development to connect families with mental health care.
Parent Reviews
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
Aftercare
Leaving our campus is the start of a new chapter, and our aftercare planning helps teens near Rough Rock carry their growth forward. Before discharge, our team partners with families to arrange continued outpatient support, community resources, and coping strategies suited to life in Apache County and across the Navajo Nation. We also help teens set realistic goals for their first weeks back home, when new routines can still feel fragile.
Because Rough Rock sits several hours from our campus, we help families prepare for a smooth transition home, including telehealth options where appropriate and coordination with local providers when available. We recognize that access to ongoing services in a rural community can require extra planning, and we do our best to bridge those gaps with thoughtful, warm handoffs. Our aim is for every teen to return to their community near Indian Route 59 and Chinle with a practical, lasting plan for continued wellbeing.
Reach Out and Begin the Healing Today
Fill out the form, or call, and one of our admissions specialists will get back to you. No pressure, and every conversation is private.
Need Recovery Help? Contact Us
Directions to Nexus Teen Academy from Rough Rock, AZ
From Rough Rock, the drive to our campus in the greater Scottsdale area is roughly 330 to 340 miles and takes about six and a half to seven hours. A common route follows Indian Route 59 southeast to Many Farms, then heads south through the Chinle area toward Interstate 40, continuing west and then south on state highways such as AZ-77 and AZ-87 through Payson into the Phoenix and Scottsdale area. Because road and weather conditions on the Navajo Nation and through the high country can change, we recommend confirming your route with Google Maps and planning for rest stops before you travel. Our admissions team can also help coordinate travel logistics for your teen's arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Nexus Teen Academy from Rough Rock, AZ?
Our campus in the greater Scottsdale area is roughly 330 to 340 miles from Rough Rock, about a six-and-a-half to seven-hour drive, and our team can help your family plan the trip.
What ages does the program serve?
We provide residential care for adolescents between 13 and 17 years old, with programming built for the developmental needs of teenagers.
How long will my teen stay?
A typical residential stay runs about 30 to 60 days, based on each teen’s needs, diagnosis, and progress, and we keep families informed throughout.
Do you address both mental health and addiction?
Yes. Our dual-diagnosis approach treats co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions at the same time, because they so often influence one another.
Are you accredited and licensed?
Yes. We are accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, and we hold ourselves to high standards of care and safety.
How can families in Rough Rock stay connected during treatment?
Family therapy and regular communication are core to our program, and we work hand in hand with parents near Rough Rock throughout the stay so families heal together.
Which insurers do you work with?
We partner with many major insurers, including Beacon, Aetna, Cigna, and GEHA, and may arrange single-case agreements when appropriate. Our team can verify your benefits confidentially.
What kinds of therapy are offered?
We offer individual, group, and family therapy plus evidence-based methods like CBT, DBT, ACT, and TF-CBT, along with holistic and recreation therapy.
Can my teen continue schoolwork?
Yes. Academic support is built into the daily schedule so teens stay engaged with their education and can transition back to school more smoothly.
What support is there after treatment?
Our aftercare planning links families to ongoing resources and support for the return home, including telehealth options where appropriate.
How do we begin?
Just contact our admissions team, and they will guide you through each step with warmth and confidentiality and answer any questions you have.
Will our information stay private?
Yes. We safeguard each family’s privacy and treat every conversation with care and discretion at every stage, from the first call through aftercare.




























