At Aurora Charter Oak, we provide compassionate, evidence-based adolescent mental health treatment in Covina, California, for young people ages 13 to 17 who are facing challenges like depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use.
All teens are different, which is why we offer all levels of care, from inpatient to outpatient. Each program is also delivered by an experienced and accredited treatment team that involves your family at every step.
Whether you’re just starting to notice the signs or already know your teen needs help, this guide walks you through what to look for, available treatment options, and how to take the first step toward recovery.
Recognizing Mental Health Challenges in Adolescents
The teenage years come with inevitable emotional ups and downs, which can make it hard for parents and guardians to tell the difference between normal growing pains and something that needs professional attention.
However, excessive worry, ongoing sadness, social withdrawal, mood changes, or noticeable shifts in appetite and energy can all be signals that a young person is struggling with more than ordinary stress.
Since adolescents are still developing their decision-making maturity, they don’t always recognize when they need help or how to ask for it, which means a parent’s observations can be critical to getting support.
If you’re noticing any concerning patterns or changes in your adolescent, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. Our confidential, no-cost professional assessment can clarify whether your teen would benefit from treatment and, if so, which level of support makes the most sense. Reaching out early often makes recovery faster and less disruptive.
Types of Adolescent Mental Health Services
Mental health care works along a continuum, and the right starting point depends on how acute a teen’s symptoms are and how much support they need to stay safe and stable.
The most intensive option is inpatient treatment, which provides round-the-clock care, short-term crisis stabilization, and medication management in a secure setting. Residential treatment is another inpatient option that offers a longer-term option for teens who are stabilized but still need 24/7 care.
As teens continue to progress, they can step down to less restrictive levels of care that allow them to rebuild routines at home while continuing to heal. For example, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers structured, full-day treatment without an overnight stay, while an intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides several hours of therapy a week so teens can keep up with school and regular life.
For teens facing both emotional and substance-related concerns, substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment are woven into this same continuum. Understanding these choices helps you advocate for the level of care that best fits your teen, and our team is here to help you sort them out.
Co-Occurring Disorders and Substance Use Treatment
Many adolescents who struggle with their mental health are also dealing with substance use, and the two are far more connected than they look from the outside.
For instance, a teen coping with depression, trauma, or anxiety may turn to alcohol or drugs to quiet what they’re feeling, and substance use can deepen those same symptoms over time. Treating only one side of the equation tends to leave the other to undermine progress.
At Aurora Charter Oak, we offer integrated care for co-occurring substance use disorder to address mental health and substance use together. Our programming is designed to meet adolescents where they are, whether they’re dealing with alcohol abuse, pain medication addiction, or other substances.
By combining clinical therapy with thoughtful and age-appropriate support, our adolescent treatment programs result in lasting recovery as opposed to short-term abstinence.
Therapeutic Approaches and Interventions
No single approach works for every teen or every condition since every adolescent is unique. That’s why programs at Aurora Charter Oak Hospital draw on multiple proven, evidence-based therapies that target the specific challenges a young person is facing.
For example, intensive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps teens recognize and reshape the thought patterns driving their distress, while trauma-focused therapy is designed for those carrying the weight of difficult or frightening experiences. Other methods, such as motivational interviewing, meet adolescents who feel ambivalent about change and help them find their own reasons to engage.
Alongside these talk-based therapies, other experiential modalities can offer teens different ways to process emotions that are hard to put into words. Among the holistic therapies offered are art therapy, mindfulness training, nutrition counseling, stress reduction techniques, recreation, and exercise.
Specialized Programs and Populations
An adolescent’s circumstances can vary widely. Some are managing acute psychiatric symptoms and long histories of trauma, while others are navigating family disruption and foster care. No matter the situation, each child deserves to receive the care they need.
At Aurora Charter Oak, we offer specialized programming designed around the specific populations we serve, so care reflects a teen’s age, background, and unique needs rather than a “copy and paste” template. Every young person who comes to us begins with a comprehensive assessment, which gives our clinicians a clear understanding of what’s going on before any treatment plan is built.
From there, services are matched to the individual. Throughout each program, teens have access to individual and family counseling, medication services, and dedicated case management to keep all aspects of their care coordinated. Our work is grounded in evidence-based practices and a core practice model that prioritizes each teen’s strengths, safety, and long-term growth.
Treatment Team and Staff Qualifications
Every adolescent receives care from a multidisciplinary team of qualified professionals that supports all aspects of their mental, emotional, physical, and academic well-being. Depending on a teen’s individual needs, their care team may include:
- Psychiatrists who oversee psychiatric evaluations, diagnoses, medication management, and overall treatment planning.
- Psychiatric nurses who provide daily medical care, monitor medications, and support each teen’s physical and emotional well-being.
- Licensed therapists and clinicians who provide individual, group, and family therapy using evidence-based approaches.
- Case managers or social workers who coordinate care, communicate with families, and help plan for discharge and ongoing support.
- Chemical dependency counselors who specialize in treating adolescents with co-occurring substance use disorders.
- Activity and recreational therapists who use structured activities to build coping skills, confidence, and healthy routines.
- Educational staff who help students continue their academic progress while receiving treatment.
In addition, Aurora Charter Oak is accredited by The Joint Commission and is committed to high standards for patient safety and quality of care. Each family can feel confident knowing their teen is supported by experienced, credentialed professionals working together toward the same goal: lasting recovery and a successful return to everyday life.
Family Involvement and Support
Families are often among the most powerful forces in a teen’s life for lasting change. That’s why we treat parents and guardians as essential members of the treatment team and collaborate throughout the entirety of treatment as a teen progresses.
Family therapy and counseling services also provide a safe space for everyone to repair communication, rebuild trust, and learn how to support a young person without taking on the role of therapist at home. We also offer further education to help parents understand their teen’s condition and develop practical parenting skills suited to their child’s individual situation.
Ultimately, when a family heals together, the gains a young person makes are far more likely to last. We’re committed to walking alongside you, not just your teen, every step of the way.
Community Outreach and Partnerships
Successful treatment extends beyond the hospital, and Aurora Charter Oak works closely with parents, schools, pediatricians, therapists, and other healthcare providers to help adolescents receive coordinated care before, during, and after treatment. By partnering with the people already involved in a teen’s life, we can support a smoother transition back to home, school, and everyday routines.
We’re also committed to making behavioral healthcare more accessible throughout the Southern California community. Our goal is to reduce barriers to care, so more adolescents can receive the support they need when they need it. This includes accepting many insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, and offers financial assistance for eligible families.
Access to Care and Insurance
The process of starting treatment at Aurora Charter Oak is simple and often starts with a phone call. Referrals can come from a parent or guardian, a pediatrician, a therapist, or a school. No matter what, our admissions team is available 24/7 to schedule assessments, explain the admissions process, and help you know what to expect.
If treatment is recommended, we will guide you through each step and coordinate with the family to make the transition as simple as possible. We also accept many insurance plans, and our admissions team can verify insurance and explain benefit details.
If you have questions about costs or financial assistance, our team is happy to review your options, so you have a clear understanding of your benefits and any available resources. Contact Aurora Charter Oak today to learn more or schedule a confidential assessment for your adolescent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my teen needs professional mental health treatment?
It can be hard to tell normal teenage moodiness from something more serious. Warning signs worth paying attention to include persistent sadness or anxiety, withdrawal from friends and activities, big changes in sleep or appetite, falling grades, panic attacks, or talk of hopelessness. If these patterns persist for weeks or interfere with daily life, a professional assessment can provide clarity. When in doubt, it’s always okay to call and ask.
What ages do you treat?
We provide mental health treatment for adolescents ages 13 to 17, with programs designed specifically for the developmental needs of teenagers. We also offer care for adults and, through specialized programming, support for younger children and their families. If you’re unsure whether your child is a good fit for a particular program, our team can help you find the right level of care during your first call.
What levels of care do you offer for adolescents?
We offer a full continuum of care so treatment can match your teen’s needs. That includes inpatient treatment for crisis stabilization, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for structured full-day support, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that fits around school, and standard outpatient services. Teens can step up or step down between these levels as they progress, so care stays appropriate as they heal.
How does the admissions or referral process work?
The process usually starts with a phone call to our assessment center, where our team listens to your concerns and helps determine the right next step. A referral can come from you as a parent or guardian, from a pediatrician or therapist, or from your teen’s school. From there, we guide you through a confidential assessment and explain what to expect, so you’re never navigating it alone.
Do you accept insurance, and what if we can’t afford care?
We accept a range of insurance plans and can verify your benefits and explain your coverage before treatment begins, so there are fewer surprises. For families who need additional help, we’re happy to talk through financial assistance and other options. Our goal is to keep care accessible so that cost isn’t the reason a teen goes without the help they need.
Can you help if my teen is struggling with both mental health and substance use?
Yes. Many teens face mental health and substance use challenges at the same time, and the two are closely connected. We provide integrated dual-diagnosis treatment that addresses both concerns together rather than as separate concerns, in a structured and supportive environment. Treating co-occurring conditions side by side gives young people a stronger foundation for lasting recovery instead of a short-term fix.
