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A place to heal, connect and grow together.

Specialized programs for troubled teens and their families in Florida, offering life-changing mental health care

Book a free consultation
1-866-548-8677

For Teens Ages 13-17 and Their Families

Available Day Program or Afterschool Program

In-Network with All Major Insurance Providers

Hablamos Español

teen depression

The Adolescent Wellness Academy

We help troubled teens feel safe, loved, and cared for while healing from:

We take a family-centered approach – while our programs for troubled teens focus on enhancing the well-being of adolescents facing mental health challenges, we also work with the entire family to create lasting positive change.

Accredited by the
Joint Commission

Both our facilities in South Florida meet the Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards in delivering quality and safe care. By meeting these standards, we have received The Gold Seal of Approval® – an internationally recognized symbol of quality. 

Discover how our judgment-free, evidence-based care can support your teen and your family

Book a free consultation

What Makes Our Approach Effective

(Even if you’ve tried therapy and other programs for troubled teens before!)

With us, your troubled teen heals.

Connecting with troubled teens means being relevant, real, and safe. Using the latest evidence-based methods, we create a place for honest conversations, learning new coping skills, building resilience, and finding a sense of belonging. Our programs for troubled teens provide a supportive environment where teens can heal and grow alongside others facing similar challenges.

Care for teens

With us, you’re not alone.

Watching your teen struggle and not knowing how to help is a lonely, isolating experience. Parents and caregivers get judgment-free support from AWA and join a caring and supportive community with other families going through similar situations.

Care for parents

With us, you experience genuine care and kindness.

As clinicians, we’re here for the entire healing journey: the ups and downs, crises and victories, setbacks and milestones. This isn’t just a mental health practice, but a calling to help troubled teens and their families. Here you are never alone. 

Our team

Your care is
covered here

We understand that you have more pressing concerns right now; the cost of programs for troubled teens, teen mental health, and substance abuse treatment should not be one of them.

We are in-network with all major commercial insurance providers in Florida.

Let us handle the insurance details so you can focus on what truly matters: helping your troubled teen heal and thrive.

Contact our Admissions team
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Our programs

Therapy once a week isn’t always enough. Our evidence-based, intensive programs for teens set clients and families up for long-term success. Our facilities for troubled teens are conveniently located in two South Florida areas – Miami and Broward – offering a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth.

Therapeutic Day Program

Also known as partial hospitalization program (PHP).

Our therapeutic day program is a comprehensive full-day program covering 4-5 hours of treatment daily, along with educational support to ensure your teen stays on track in school. 

Learn more

Afterschool Program

Also known as intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Our afterschool program is an intensive program covering 3 hours of treatment 3 to 5 days per week. 

Learn more

Want to know which program is best for your troubled teen and family?

Contact our Admissions Team

Comprehensive approach

We provide evidence-based treatment proven to help clients heal from mental health and co-occurring disorders, including trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

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What Parents ❤️ About AWA

95% of parents and teens recommend AWA

read the reviews

Our dedicated team

Our compassionate team goes above and beyond to support you and your troubled teen on the healing journey.

We have an experienced clinical team with several mental health experts and multiple specializations.

Here, your family is in great hands! 

meet our team

Discover how our judgment-free, evidence-based care can support your teen mental health and your family

Request a call back and our admissions team will get in touch with you to answer all your questions.

We will support you in finding the right treatment for your teen – even if it is not ours.

We are here to help 24/7.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Note we are not a crisis hotline, in case of an emergency, please call 911 
We accept most insurance but do not take Medicaid at this time.

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About us
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Ornella Barille - Therapist (Davie)

Ornella is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has extensive experience working with diverse populations, including children, families, and young adults. Ornella has worked in both K-12 schools and at the college level, where she has developed a strong commitment to helping adolescents thrive by supporting their personal and academic growth and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Her therapeutic approach centers on creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients can feel comfortable exploring their needs and expressing themselves authentically. Ornella utilizes a blend of mindfulness, existential therapy, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to empower clients in navigating life’s challenges.

Ornella’s compassionate approach fosters self-awareness and encourages clients to build effective coping strategies to achieve their therapeutic goals.

Jamie Namer - Therapist (Davie)

Jamie specializes in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) guiding individuals and families toward healthier, more fulfilling lives. With a focus on positivity, self-growth, and holistic healing, Jamie integrates spiritual perspectives and deep empathy into the therapeutic process. Using solution-based methods and emotionally focused therapy, Jamie helps clients navigate past trauma, enhance self-discovery, and strengthen relationships.

Jamie’s approach combines therapeutic techniques with mind-body healing practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and visualization. Experienced in working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups, Jamie specializes in addressing issues like anxiety, grief, self-confidence, burnout, family dynamics, depression, PTSD, and life transitions. The goal is to promote overall well-being and support clients in living a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.