The Healing Power of Residential Treatment for Teens Who We Help - Residential Treatment for Teens & Their Families
At Discovery Ranch South, our commitment is to provide unparalleled quality residential treatment for teens and their families. Our comprehensive adolescent residential treatment program is meticulously designed to empower the mental health of girls and adolescents assigned female at birth We understand that finding the right treatment for your child can be challenging and overwhelming, especially in today's world where mental health issues among teenagers are on the rise.
As parents, you want the best for your child, and dealing with teenage mental health issues can be confusing and difficult to navigate on your own. That's why we are here to help. Our team of highly qualified professionals, including teen mental health specialists, are dedicated to providing comprehensive assessments to address your teen's emotional, behavioral, medical, educational, and social needs.
You Are Not Alone
Discovery Ranch South is there for you and your family.
What Is Residential Treatment?
Residential treatment is a structured, live-in therapeutic program designed to help teens struggling with significant mental health, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Unlike outpatient care, residential treatment provides 24/7 support in a safe and structured environment, allowing for intensive therapy and skill-building. At Discovery Ranch South, residential treatment combines individual, group, and family therapy with experiential activities and academic support to promote lasting healing. This immersive approach helps teens develop emotional regulation, resilience, and healthy coping strategies while rebuilding their sense of identity and self-worth.
Common Mental, Emotional, & Behavioral Struggles Our Students Face
At Discovery Ranch South, we recognize the difficulties that teens may encounter, such as academic struggles, interpersonal challenges, low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.
Through our comprehensive program, your teenager will develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, risk assessment, facing fears, emotional connection, self-motivation, healthy coping techniques, and building self-compassion and self-confidence.
Our highly skilled team is equipped to address a wide range of concerns in a clinically sophisticated manner, including (but not limited to):
- ADHD, Executive Dysfunction, & Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)
- Addiction, Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse
- Adoption Issues
- Anger Issues
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Level 1
- Behavior Issues / Out-of-control behaviors
- Behavioral addiction
- Cutting & Self Harm
- Divorce Conflict
- Depression
- Eating Disorders, Body Image Issues
- Lack Of Motivation
- Learning Disabilities
- Lying & Manipulation
- Mood Disorders
- Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NLD)
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
- Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
- Personality Disorders
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Process Addiction
- Relational Issues
- Risky Behaviors
- Risky/Harmful Sexual Behaviors
- School Failure
- Screen Addiction
- Self Esteem Issues
- Social Skills Challenges
- Technology Addiction
- Trauma
Thriving Through Identity: How Our Strengths-Based Approach Enhances the Healing Journey
At Discovery Ranch South, we understand that each student is unique with their strengths and interests. Our approach is tailored to each individual, utilizing their natural expressive abilities and interests, such as creative expression, as a means of self-soothing and healing. We believe in empowering our students to discover their potential and regain a sense of self-worth, even if they may feel like they are "not good enough" or have struggled with challenges throughout their lives. Our program is designed to help them rebuild their sense of identity and purpose and overcome negative beliefs and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.
Healing Together: The Importance of Including Family in the Treatment Journey
We also recognize that families play a crucial role in the healing process. Our time-tested Family Healing Program brings support, growth, and change to the entire family system through family therapy sessions that foster connection and healing. We understand that the challenges your child faces also impact your family members, and we are here to provide support and guidance to help you navigate through these difficult times together.
When Is Residential Treatment Necessary?
Residential treatment at Discovery Ranch South may be necessary when a teen girl’s mental health or behavioral challenges cannot be effectively addressed through outpatient therapy alone. Every teen’s situation is unique, and deciding to pursue residential treatment is a significant step that involves many factors. For some families, it becomes clear that their child needs a higher level of care when traditional therapy is not leading to meaningful progress or when safety becomes a concern.
Signs That Residential Treatment May Be Needed
- Lack of Progress in Talk Therapy – If a teen has been in therapy for an extended period without showing improvement, or if they can verbalize coping strategies but struggle to implement them, a more immersive treatment approach may be needed.
- Safety Concerns – If a teen is engaging in self-harming behaviors, experiencing suicidal ideation, or acting aggressively, residential treatment can provide 24/7 supervision and therapeutic support.
- Maladaptive Coping Skills – When a teen consistently turns to unhealthy behaviors—such as avoidance, aggression, or self-destructive actions—residential treatment offers a structured environment to help them develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Co-occurring Disorders – Many teens struggle with more than one mental health challenge, such as anxiety and trauma, depression and self-harm, or substance use and emotional dysregulation. Residential treatment provides an integrated approach to address these complex issues.
- Adoption Trauma – Adopted teens may struggle with identity issues, attachment challenges, or deep-seated emotional wounds that require intensive therapeutic support.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder – If a teen with autism is struggling with emotional regulation, social interactions, or adapting to daily life despite multiple interventions, residential treatment can offer the consistency and individualized support they need.
- Family Crisis – If a family feels overwhelmed, communication has broken down, or parents are unsure how to help their child, residential treatment can provide a healing space for both the teen and their family
Additional Indicators That a Teen May Need Residential Treatment
- Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or withdrawal
- Intense and uncontrollable anger outbursts
- Overwhelming anxiety that impacts school or social life
- Feelings of worthlessness or deep shame
- Disordered eating behaviors or significant changes in eating habits
- Running away, engaging in reckless or risky behaviors
- Severe academic decline or loss of interest in school
- Difficulty forming or maintaining healthy relationships
- Self-harming behaviors such as cutting, burning, or scratching
- Recently escalating symptoms that are becoming harder to manage
- Chronic mood instability that disrupts daily life
Who Is Not A Good Fit For Discovery Ranch South
At Discovery Ranch South, we address complex emotional and behavioral issues. However, we have limitations and do not work with certain situations and diagnoses. We are transparent about our focus and strive to provide effective treatment within our scope of practice.
We do not work with the following situations and diagnoses:
- Students under the age of 12
- Medical Instability or any problem requiring prolonged or intensive medical care or monitoring. For example:
- Eating disorders severe enough to require a feeding tube
- Diabetes
- Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- History of Physical Violence
- Pregnancy
- Parental Non-Participation
- Non-English Speaking
- Severe Autism
- IQ Below 90
- Anti-Social or Conduct Disorder
- Psychosis, Schizophrenia, or Schizoaffective Disorder
If your teenager struggles with any of these issues, you may find help at FindTreatment.gov
Choosing Discovery Ranch South means choosing a program that is committed to helping your child thrive again. We understand the unique needs of teenagers struggling with mental health issues, and our experienced team is here to provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment to support their journey towards healing and growth. Don't wait to take action - enroll your child at Discovery Ranch South and give them the opportunity to regain their sense of self and build a brighter future. Contact us now to learn more about our program and how we can help your child and family.
Our Research & Outcomes Show Adolescent Girls Can Live a Life Free From Mental Health Issues
75%
75% of students report they are more comfortable sharing feelings with their parents.
75% of students & parents report significantly better family functioning
90%
90% of parents report teen is much better compared to the beginning of treatment
96%
96% of both parents and students showed consistent improvement on problem behavior (Y-OQ) and emotional problems tests (BPFS-C)
100%
100% of students report their problems are much better than when they began
100%
Six months after graduation, 100% of parents and students say that their problems are much better than when they began