Behavioral health issues are not always obvious in teenagers. A kid might be suffering from depression or anxiety, but her parents might see only angry outbursts. A teenager might be having thoughts of suicide, but his parents see only a child who is falling behind in school.
Teenagers do suffer from behavioral health issues, however. They can develop many of the same problems as adults, including depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders, psychosis and others.
Getting an accurate diagnosis of your teen’s issues is the first step toward recovery. At Mills-Peninsula, mental healthcare providers and psychiatrists specialize in treating teenagers. They will work with you to evaluate your kid’s mental and physical health and develop an age-appropriate treatment plan that will relieve symptoms and move your teen toward better health.
Depending on your teenager's diagnosis and the symptom severity, treatment might include counseling therapies, including family therapy and individual or group counseling, as well as medication. In addition, therapy can help an adolescent learn to regulate behavior, express feelings appropriately, develop self-esteem and good social skills, and improve family bonds.
We offer age-appropriate programs to treat substance abuse. As always when a teenager is the patient, family involvement and education is a vital part of the treatment plan.
Treatment services are offered in several settings: intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization, and inpatient hospitalization in a secure facility. We offer emergency services when needed as well.
Our goal is to help your child or teenager return to an active and productive life, equipped with the skills to maintain good mental health for a lifetime. As your teen improves, we offer less intensive treatment options, which will help with reintegration into school and family activities.