Teen therapy can mean weekly sessions, a structured after-school program, or day treatment that supports safety and daily functioning.
At Adolescent Wellness Academy, care is organized into clear levels, so families across teen therapy in South Florida can match support to what their teen needs right now.
In this Q&A, Dr. Maria Mejia, PhD, LMFT, Clinical Director for AWA Davie, explains how teen therapy works at AWA, including teen day treatment, a teen intensive outpatient program, teen counseling in Miami, and how pediatric psychiatry fits into a broader plan for teen therapy in Miami.
How AWA Teen Therapy Differs From Weekly Outpatient
When families first call, Dr. Mejia often hears two stories. Either a teen has tried weekly outpatient therapy “once a week for an hour.”
The family may be new to therapy and unsure what teen therapy should look like. In both situations, she frames AWA’s approach as a response to a common problem: some teens struggle to engage in one-on-one sessions, even when everyone is doing their best.
Dr. Mejia explains that outpatient therapy can be “wonderful,” but teens can have a hard time opening up when it feels intimidating to “sit in a room with another adult and talk about their problems.”
That discomfort can look like short answers, shutdown, or “saying what they think adults want to hear.” Families frequently describe a cycle of switching providers because the teen is “not really opening up” or “they don’t want to talk.”
At AWA, teen therapy is built to create more consistent traction than one hour per week can provide when a teen is dealing with significant symptoms.
What Makes Teen Therapy At AWA Different
Dr. Mejia describes AWA’s teen therapy model as more structured and more connected, especially through group work.
Key differences families usually notice
- Peer connection is central. Dr. Mejia says there is “a lot of power in teenagers sitting in a room with other kids their same age going through very similar issues.”
- Teens normalize their experience. Even if one teen is there for anxiety and another for OCD, they often connect around “really intense emotions that they don’t know how to manage.”
- Feedback lands differently. Dr. Mejia tells parents that adults can repeat guidance “until we’re blue in the face,” but teens may hear the same idea from peers and respond because they are “more receptive and more open.”
- Support is multi-layered. Instead of individual sessions alone, AWA integrates group, individual, and family components, and psychiatric support when appropriate.
AWA’s group framework is one of the reasons teen therapy in Miami families often describes the experience as less isolating than traditional outpatient therapy.
Some families like having a clearer understanding of how group work supports skill-building, and AWA outlines common formats and goals in its overview of adolescent group work:
Why AWA Uses Levels Of Care
Dr. Mejia also ties AWA’s teen therapy structure to a practical goal: start with enough intensity to help a teen stabilize and learn skills, then step down.
She explains that some teens need an “intensive approach” at the beginning, and that this intensity can help them reach a point where they can return to outpatient services and “thrive.”
PHP, IOP, And Counseling: Time And Intensity
Families searching for teen therapy South Florida options often assume there are only two choices: weekly outpatient therapy or hospitalization. Dr. Mejia describes AWA’s programs as filling the space in between, especially for teens who have been caught in cycles of stabilization and relapse.
She notes that many families have experienced either weekly outpatient care or a crisis-level hospitalization, such as “a Baker Act or a hospitalization,” and some teens have had “four, five, six, seven hospitalizations” before families find a level of care that supports real continuity.
Therapeutic Day Program (PHP) As Teen Day Treatment
Dr. Mejia describes the Therapeutic Day Program, also called PHP, as “our highest level of care that we offer here,” and as an in-between level for teens who might otherwise need a higher setting. This level is often described as teen day treatment because it provides daily structure and monitoring without being residential.
Time and structure
- Treatment typically runs from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Routine is emphasized because “having a routine and a structure is so important.”
- Many teens can stay engaged in schooling through morning support, which Dr. Mejia describes as the ability for some teens to be on site from morning into the afternoon, depending on scheduling and needs
Why the structure matters
Dr. Mejia emphasizes that parents are not expected to act as clinicians at home.
She tells families, “You’re not a therapist, and that’s okay,” adding that parents should be able to “just be Mom” or “just be Dad.”
She compares it to a medical issue: if a child has the flu, you do not guess, you consult a doctor. In teen therapy, PHP can be the place where a team provides the consistent containment and intervention that is difficult to replicate at home.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) As The After-School Option
Dr. Mejia describes the Intensive Outpatient Program as the “after-school program,” typically running from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
This is the teen intensive outpatient program many families choose when a teen can attend school during the day but needs structured therapeutic support several afternoons or evenings per week.
How IOP differs from PHP
- Same overall components can apply, including group therapy, individual sessions, family work, and psychiatric support as clinically appropriate
- The intensity is lower than PHP, which Dr. Mejia explains as fewer groups per day and usually fewer individual sessions per week, depending on clinical need
- IOP tends to fit teens whose mental health and behavior are not preventing them from engaging in major day-to-day activities like school
Teen Counseling As A Standalone Service
Dr. Mejia explains that teen counseling can be a good fit when symptoms are present but a teen is still functioning, showing up to school, and engaging enough to integrate skills over time. She frames the decision using four factors: “severity, intensity, duration, and frequency” of what the teen is experiencing.
When teen counseling in Miami may be enough
- A teen can attend school consistently
- Symptoms are present but manageable with weekly support
- The teen can engage in sessions and practice skills between sessions
When Dr. Mejia recommends stepping up
- A teen has tried outpatient therapy for months or years with “very minimal progress.”
- Behaviors at school have not improved and are becoming a major barrier
- A teen is disengaging or isolating, and functioning is starting to fall apart
Signs Your Teen May Need A Day Program
Dr. Mejia focuses less on labels and more on whether a teen can keep up with the everyday expectations of adolescence. She explains that PHP is designed for teens who are “having a very hard time following through with the expectations of an adolescent,” especially around school, behavior, and safety.
Functional Signs That Point Toward Teen Day Treatment
Dr. Mejia describes several patterns that suggest PHP may be a better starting point than after-school care alone.
School functioning concerns
- Frequent absences or inability to attend consistently
- Anxiety that triggers physical symptoms, including “constant GI” or other medical issues that prevent attendance
- Daily conflict around getting up and going to school, where it becomes “a fight every morning”
- Academic performance impacted by not being able to show up, even if a teen is capable
Behavioral concerns at school
- Frequent trouble, detentions, suspensions
- Substance use that puts a teen at risk of serious school consequences
- Risk of expulsion, where Dr. Mejia notes it can sometimes be better to take a temporary leave to protect long-term school options
Safety concerns
- Self-harm such as cutting
- Suicidal ideation
- Concerns about harming others
- Parents feeling they cannot leave their teen alone safely
Social Isolation and Severe Social Anxiety
Dr. Mejia also highlights that teens with severe social anxiety and isolation may benefit from PHP when they have been in virtual school and have “no social connection.”
In PHP, the social environment is structured, monitored, and designed to reduce typical school pressures. She notes that the social dynamics of school can create a lot of anxiety and stress, and that the day program can help teens reconnect, “be kids again,” and practice healthy connection.
One practical feature Dr. Mejia mentions is that AWA does not allow cell phones during program hours, which encourages teens to look up, talk, and engage rather than retreat into screens.
First Week: Day Program Versus IOP Counseling
Families often worry that starting a higher level of teen therapy will feel overwhelming. Dr. Mejia describes the first week in both PHP and IOP as an acclimation period focused on relationship-building and assessment.
She explains that week one is “truly getting to know your child, your family, and identifying treatment goals,” while also helping the teen adjust to programming. Many families have never experienced PHP or IOP before, so the first week focuses on comfort, clarity, and expectations.
First-Week Priorities Across Levels Of Care
In PHP and IOP, week one often centers on:
- Introducing the teen to the routine and daily flow
- Helping the teen connect with peers and clinicians
- Setting clear expectations for groups, individual sessions, and family involvement
- Assessing needs to build a meaningful plan rather than guessing
Dr. Mejia shares that after the first week, “nine out of ten times,” families feel a sense of relief because the program is clearer and less scary than what they imagined.
What Is Unique About Week One In Teen Day Treatment
PHP often includes additional structure around school planning. Dr. Mejia describes how some teens use morning time for virtual schooling with support, and that staff help with setup, time management, and staying on task.
Because Dr. Mejia references Florida Virtual School as a common academic support option, the Florida Department of Education overview provides helpful context for families unfamiliar with how it works.
How Parents Stay Involved At Every Level
In teen therapy, parent involvement can be the difference between a teen learning skills in session and actually using those skills at home. Dr. Mejia is direct that family involvement is not a side feature. She calls it “one of the core elements of our program,” and tells parents that if they cannot commit to participation, the fit may be difficult.
Her reasoning is practical: AWA can teach coping skills and emotional regulation, but teens need their caregivers to support those changes in real life. She explains, “We can do great work here, but we need your support as parents to foster those changes,” and to integrate healthier approaches at home.
What Parent Involvement Includes At AWA
Dr. Mejia describes a consistent parent involvement structure, with higher frequency in teen day treatment and flexible frequency in IOP based on family need.
At PHP Day Treatment, parents typically have:
- Weekly family counseling
- Weekly one-on-one calls with the teen’s primary therapist
- Weekly parent support group
- Open communication and an “open-door policy” for additional support
At IOP, parent involvement remains essential and often includes:
- Family therapy, with frequency determined by clinical needs and family dynamics
- Weekly calls with the therapist
- Weekly parent support group
Confidentiality Without Exclusion
One concern parents often have is being kept in the dark. Dr. Mejia addresses this by separating confidentiality from secrecy. She explains that therapists are not calling parents to repeat everything said in sessions because “confidentiality is so important,” and teens need autonomy to trust the process. Instead, parent touchpoints focus on themes, progress, safety, and what parents can do at home to reinforce skills.
This aligns with a broader principle in youth mental health care that effective therapy often requires both trust with the teen and structured caregiver involvement. AACAP’s family-facing overview of psychotherapy can be a useful reference for how talk therapy and family involvement fit into treatment planning.
How Pediatric Psychiatry Fits Into Teen Therapy At AWA
Even when families begin by searching for teen counseling Miami, questions about medication often come up quickly, especially when symptoms are severe or safety is a concern. Dr. Mejia explains pediatric psychiatry as part of a broader plan, not a quick fix.
She notes that at the PHP level, AWA’s psychiatric provider meets with clients weekly.
Dr. Mejia contrasts this with typical outpatient psychiatry, where visits might be monthly or less frequent. In a PHP setting, weekly check-ins and daily observations provide a team with more information about mood, behavior, and side effects, which can make starting or adjusting medication feel safer and more responsive.
What Dr. Mejia Emphasizes About Medication
- Medication is a tool, not a “magic pill.”
- Behavioral intervention matters because many teens have tried multiple medications, but “what’s missing is the behavioral intervention”
- Outcomes are often strongest when medication is paired with talk therapy, rather than used alone
- Parents are involved, and AWA does not provide medication without “explicit permission.”
- The approach is conservative, described as “low and slow,” starting with a low dose and adjusting with observation
For families who want a research-grounded example of combined care in adolescents, NIMH’s overview of the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study discusses outcomes across medication, psychotherapy, and combined approaches.
Teen Therapy In Miami And Teen Therapy South Florida With A Level-Of-Care Lens
Many families begin with a location-based search, like teen therapy in Miami or teen therapy in South Florida, but the bigger need is usually clarity on what level of care matches the moment they are in. Dr. Mejia’s interview offers a functional way to sort options without shame or guesswork.
Quick Skim Guide For Choosing A Starting Level
- Teen counseling Miami can fit when a teen is distressed but still functioning, attending school, and able to engage in weekly therapy.
- A teen intensive outpatient program can fit when a teen needs several structured sessions per week while still attending school during the day.
- Teen day treatment can fit when school functioning is significantly disrupted, safety concerns are active, or daily routine and monitoring are needed to stabilize symptoms.
A Final Note Dr. Mejia Often Shares With Parents
Dr. Mejia hears guilt from parents who feel they should have found the “right” help sooner. She normalizes that feeling and removes blame. She tells parents it is common to feel frustrated after trying multiple approaches, but “it’s not their fault. Sometimes teens need more support than weekly therapy provides, and parents are not given a manual for this.
Her reframing is forward-looking: “You’re here now, you recognize they need help, and you’re showing up for them.” In the context of teen therapy, that mindset matters because it helps families commit to a structured plan long enough for skills, routines, and relationships to take hold.
About the Author
Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia
