Expert Guidance to Find
Compassionate & Effective Therapeutic Treatment Programs for Teens
Seeking Support for Your Struggling Teen's Behavior and Mental Health?
The Right Therapeutic Treatment Program for Teen Behavior and Mental Health
I know how painful it is to watch your child struggle with emotional or behavioral issues.
Whether you’re just starting to look into what treatment options are out there or you are already deep in the complex world of adolescent mental health care, seeking expert support is one of the most important steps you can take to help your teen start their healing journey.
In my 17+ years, of experience have consistently shown that deeper, longer-term therapeutic solutions provide the lasting changes needed for teens battling defiance, anger, conduct or other complex behavioral challenges.
While many short-term programs and interventions offer some temporary relief, and sometimes that is what your teen needs first, usually, they do not treat the core of what is really going on.
The stuff underneath, the hurt, the confusion, the disconnection. These are the real reasons for the anger, angst, depression, rebellion, academic struggles and emotional melt-downs. And that’s the part that needs real attention!
Is Your Teen Struggling with Behavior, Emotions, or Mental Health?
- ADD, ADHD, ODD
- Aggression
- Adoption or Attachment Issues
- Anxiety and Panic Disorders
- Apathy
- Anger and Defiance
- Behavioral Issues (Dishonesty, Disrespect)
- BPD, BPAD, BDD
- Complex Mental Disorders and Comorbidity
- Conduct Disorder
- Depression
- Detention or Suspension from School
- Eating Disorders
- Gender Identity
- High-Risk Behaviors
- Irritability
- Lack of Focus
- Mood Disorders
- OCD, ASD, NLD
- Poor Decision Making
- Runaway History
- School Problems and Failing Grades
- Sluggishness
- Suicidal Ideation
- Technology Abuse (Social, Internet, Video Games)
- Trauma or PTSD
Mary Warren: Your Partner in Healing & Expert Advocate
Choosing the right therapeutic treatment program for your son or daughter is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever face—and probably not one you ever imagined having to make.
I get it. As a parent who has been there, I understand the doubts, the fears, and how overwhelming it all feels. And I can help!
Let’s work together to find the path that leads to real, lasting healing for your child.
To truly help your child, whether they’re a teenager or a young adult, you need a treatment plan that’s built around their specific issues, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Personalization is key!
It’s important to understand that not every child needs an intensive residential treatment program.
Depending on where they are on their journey, parent coaching can empower you with effective strategies to implement at home, helping your child get back on track, especially when their behavior is not yet out of control or they are not at immediate risk.
This personalized guidance ensures we address what is truly going on for your family. Ready to learn more about how I can support your family? Let’s talk.
Fully Vetted Therapeutic Programs for Lasting Change
Every at-risk teen program I recommend has been meticulously vetted personally by me. You can rest assured that if your child needs a residential treatment program, I will only recommend treatment options that:
- Have proven outcomes
- A professional staff
- Are accredited and licensed
- Are the right fit for your teenager’s or young adult’s specific needs
My goal is to provide you with all the essential facts, empowering you to make the most informed decision for your family.
More Than a Referral: Personalized Advocacy and Coaching for Your Family
I don’t just visit a campus once; I visit regularly and stay in close contact with the staff and administration. When I work with families, my commitment goes beyond the initial placement.
I make it a point to work directly with the directors and therapists, stay involved throughout the entire placement, and continue supporting families after. I advocate for you and your child every step of the way.
Unlike other placement agencies or consultants who place a child and then move on, I stay involved because I’ve been there; I get it. I’ve been where you are.
I understand that parents need coaching and ongoing support. And, teens in treatment? They need someone in their corner, advocating for them throughout their entire treatment.
How Therapeutic Treatment Programs for Teens Drive Lasting Change
These transformative programs incorporate a range of proven therapeutic approaches, including:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
- Experiential Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Reality Therapy
- Equine Assisted Therapy
- Spiritual Principles
- Strength-Based Approach
When it comes to therapeutic interventions, the goal isn’t just stability—it’s deeper, lasting recovery.
Over the years, I’ve seen real progress when the best evidence-based modality is aligned with an individual’s core emotional and behavioral needs.
That’s when they begin to reconnect with themselves, their families and start to really think about their future.
That kind of meaningful growth manifests as stronger emotional regulation, improved communication, and a sense of agency that enables teens to return home with greater clarity and confidence, ready to take charge of their future.
Finding that kind of progress starts with understanding your child’s unique needs—and choosing an approach that fits them, not just a generic, trending, or convenient one. That’s where I come in.
Together, we’ll take a thoughtful look at what’s going on to get the full picture and find the treatment path that offers the best chance for lasting change.
When a Deeper Approach is Needed - Finding Hope for Complex Challenges
Promises of quick results are tempting, but true healing for complex mental health issues—including dual diagnoses—requires individualized attention and the therapeutic depth of a longer-term program.
While sometimes we feel disappointed when past therapies haven’t fully worked, or our teen wasn’t ready to fully engage, please don’t lose hope. There is a right therapeutic approach for your teen; you just may not have found it yet. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your specific situation.
I’ve seen countless teens who struggled with persistent behavioral and mental health challenges for years, despite trying various programs like wilderness and intensive intervention.
Some were even hospitalized multiple times or placed on involuntary mental holds like California’s 5585 Hold or Washington’s ITA, yet they still struggled with significant mental health challenges.
I understand the desperation parents feel when searching for the right treatment, and I want you to know that there’s still hope for lasting change. It ultimately comes down to finding what works for your teen.
Investing in longer-term mental health care that is right for your child and helps them dig deeper into their issues will empower them with skills for a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Concerned about affordability? Not every parent can afford to send their teen to an out-of-state residential treatment program or a therapeutic boarding school.
However, many don’t realize that health insurance and even some school districts may help cover some of the associated costs.
We can discuss alternative options during our consultation.
Exploring Therapeutic Options for Teens with Behavioral or Emotional Issues: Compassionate Solutions
There are many compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health treatment options to help your teenager regain emotional balance, develop resilience, and grow.
These range from traditional approaches like therapeutic boarding schools to innovative therapies such as virtual reality (VR) and telehealth services.
To help you understand the diverse landscape of therapeutic options, I’ve compiled a list of common treatment modalities and their potential benefits for your child. Click on each arrow to learn more about each approach.
Is your teen struggling in a traditional school environment as a result of learning differences or emotional challenges? Therapeutic boarding schools offer a safe and structured environment where they can focus on healing and personal growth. These specialized schools provide:
- Personalized care and emotional support: Experienced staff members provide individualized attention and guidance to help teens navigate their challenges.
- Continued academic progress: Teens continue their education in a supportive environment that addresses their learning needs.
- Focus on emotional well-being: Through therapy, group activities, and a nurturing community, teens rediscover their strengths and develop positive coping strategies.
Does your teen need a little excitement or loves the outdoors? Adventure-based therapy could be a perfect fit. By combining fun activities with therapeutic guidance, this approach helps teens:
- Build confidence and resilience: Facing challenges like rock climbing and ropes courses empowers teens to overcome obstacles and discover their inner strength.
- Develop self-awareness: Through nature-based experiences, teens gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
- Strengthen relationships: Teamwork and collaboration in a supportive environment foster communication skills and build trust.
- Experience personal growth: Adventure therapy provides a unique opportunity for teens to step outside their comfort zone, discover new passions, and embrace personal growth.
Is your teen drawn to animals or struggling with emotional regulation? Equine-assisted therapy offers a unique, healing experience through working with horses. This therapy helps teens:
- Build trust and responsibility: By caring for horses, teens learn to develop trust and take responsibility.
- Enhance emotional regulation: Interacting with animals encourages calmness and emotional balance.
- Strengthen empathy: Teens build compassion and empathy by bonding with horses in a nurturing environment.
- Experience emotional healing: The human-animal connection facilitates emotional awareness and recovery from trauma or stress.
Does your teen struggle to express their emotions? Art and music therapy give teens a powerful outlet for emotional healing through creativity. These therapies help teens:
- Foster emotional expression: Creative activities offer teens a non-verbal way to express deep emotions.
- Encourage self-discovery: Teens explore their identities and feelings in a supportive, creative environment.
- Promote emotional healing: Processing trauma or anxiety through art and music provides an accessible path to healing.
- Build confidence through creativity: Completing creative projects strengthens self-esteem and fosters emotional resilience.
Is your teen overwhelmed by stress or anxiety? Mindfulness and meditation programs teach them how to manage emotions, improve focus, and reduce anxiety through calming practices. These programs offer:
- Emotional regulation: Teens learn mindfulness techniques to calm and manage their emotions.
- Reduced anxiety and stress: Meditation exercises help teens alleviate stress and improve overall mental well-being.
- Healthy coping mechanisms: Mindfulness encourages teens to develop constructive ways to handle stress and difficult emotions.
- Self-awareness: Teens become more attuned to their thoughts and emotions, gaining valuable emotional insight.
Does your teen struggle with emotional regulation or stress management? Biofeedback and neurofeedback therapy use real-time data to help teens gain control over their emotional and physiological responses.
These therapies help teens:
- Enhance emotional control: Teens learn how to regulate their emotions using real-time brain and body feedback.
- Manage stress and anxiety: Monitoring physical responses empowers teens to manage anxiety and stress effectively.
- Build self-awareness: Biofeedback increases teens’ awareness of their body’s reactions, encouraging healthier responses.
- Develop healthier habits: By improving focus and emotional control, teens can better manage ADHD, anxiety, and emotional challenges.
Is accessing in-person therapy a challenge for your family? Telehealth and virtual therapy provide flexible and convenient mental health support for teens wherever they are.
This approach offers:
- Greater accessibility: Teens can receive therapy from home, making it easier to fit into busy or remote lifestyles.
- Flexibility in care: Virtual therapy provides personalized counseling with the same benefits as in-person sessions.
- Emotional support anytime: Consistent support ensures that teens are never far from professional guidance when they need it most.
- Personal growth in a comfortable space: Teens can focus on emotional growth without the pressure of traveling or attending in-person sessions.
Does your teen struggle with anxiety, phobias, or trauma? Virtual reality (VR) therapy offers a cutting-edge approach that immerses teens in controlled environments where they can safely confront their fears.
This innovative therapy helps teens:
- Confront fears in a safe space: Teens engage in virtual environments that help them face their anxieties or phobias.
- Enhance emotional regulation: Teens practice managing emotions in simulated scenarios, gaining valuable coping skills.
- Build confidence: Successfully navigating virtual challenges builds teens’ confidence for real-world situations.
- Experience emotional growth: VR therapy offers teens a safe, innovative way to process emotions and gain self-awareness.
Is your teen spending too much time on screens or struggling with social media addiction? Social media and technology addiction programs help teens regain balance and manage their digital consumption responsibly.
These programs offer:
- Healthier screen habits: Teens learn strategies to reduce their reliance on technology and set healthy boundaries.
- Improved mental well-being: Reducing social media use helps teens improve their self-esteem, mood, and mental health.
- Stronger family relationships: Family counseling and therapy sessions rebuild communication and trust between teens and their parents.
- Long-term digital balance: Teens develop healthier relationships with technology, empowering them to use it positively and mindfully.
Does your teen struggle with intense emotions or harmful behaviors? Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for managing distress, regulating emotions, and improving relationships.
This therapy helps teens:
- Manage emotional intensity: Teens learn to control overwhelming emotions through techniques like distress tolerance.
- Improve emotional regulation: DBT teaches teens to identify and manage negative emotions more effectively.
- Strengthen relationships: With improved communication and interpersonal skills, teens develop healthier connections with others.
- Reduce self-harm and destructive behaviors: DBT helps teens replace harmful coping mechanisms with healthier alternatives.
The top therapeutic programs for teens offer a roadmap to:
- Emotional maturity
- Improved relationships
- Academic success
As you consider the path forward, remember that the goal is not just to alter behavior temporarily but to unlock a future where your child can thrive, face challenges confidently, and achieve his or her full potential. Let’s talk about your family’s specific needs.
Some questions that will help you decide on the best path forward:
- Is your teen facing severe emotional or behavioral challenges that require more intensive support?
- Do they have mental health diagnoses?
- Have you tried other options, and little has changed?
- Are they spiraling out of control?
Let’s be honest. No parent thinks they would eventually send their child away to an unknown environment for an extended time. Most parents never imagined their child would become angry, defiant, reckless, irresponsible, or struggle to make good choices.
Consequently, when your teenager starts to make poor decisions, struggle with mental health or behavioral issues, or worse yet, spiral out of control. You realize that you must act to help them before their actions have life-altering consequences.
This decision is stressful and often overwhelming. There are many options and opinions online. But, ultimately, you will need to decide what will be best for your child.
The two question every parent in this situation asks themselves:
- What can I do to help my “troubled teen”?
- How will you know which residential treatment program is right for your son or daughter?
Right now, you have so many questions, and by now, you likely figured out that there’s a lot of information available online. Still, there are few answers to help you make the right choice for your family.
I invite you to scan this page. We’ve organized the information into categories to make it easier to find the answers you seek no matter where you are in this journey.
Start Your Journey Today
I want to help families like yours find solutions so that your relationships can be whole and your family starts to heal.
Mary Warren
Are you trying to find the best troubled teens program to help your at-risk or out-of-control teenager?
If your search led you here, you might have already considered the short-term troubled teen programs.
Many websites promote boot camps and wilderness camp programs and promise that in 30-90 days, your teenager will be more peaceful and obedient.
Many programs offer to help your child overcome behavioral problems like defiance and anger.
Maybe you are considering a Therapeutic Boarding School, a Teen Residential Treatment Center, or a specialty boarding school. There are many options for parents today.
However, choosing the best-troubled teen program for your son or daughter is a difficult decision. One you never imagined you would have to make someday.
I want to help families like yours find solutions so that your relationships can be whole and your family starts to heal.
Mary Warren
Does Your Teen Exhibit these Warning Signs?
I'ts a Scary and frustrating time!
When your teenager is struggling to make good choices or going through a difficult time, it is normal to ask yourself:
- Am I making it worse?
- Will my teen outgrow this?
- Why does my teen hate me?
- How can I get my teen to care about his/her future?
- How do I talk to my teenager?
- Are these mood swings and depression normal for teens?
As a parent, do you feel like you should or need to have all the answers? This is not true!
I have personally struggled with two of my three teens and I know how hard it can be. You are not a failure for seeking outside help—you are doing what is best for your family.
You have seen signs that concern you and you have recognized the current journey has taken an unhealthy detour. You are correct, you need to a solution that restores the peace to your family and alleviates the burdens brought on when your child is wandering through a bad place in life.
What Parents Say About Working with Mary Warren
Read more inspiring testimonials and success stories from parents whose teens found a brighter future, and see how Mary can help your family find healing and hope.