Mental Health Treatment for Teens

Helping adolescents navigate mental health challenges

of lifetime cases of mental illness begin at 14 years of age.
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Teen Mental Health

Mental health issues among teenagers are more prevalent than ever, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other emotional disorders. The transition from childhood to adulthood comes with social pressures, academic expectations, and increased exposure to social media, all of which can impact mental well-being.

Studies show that 1 in 5 teens struggles with a diagnosable mental health condition, yet many do not receive the support they need. Early intervention is key in preventing these challenges from escalating into lifelong struggles.

At Adolescent Wellness Academy (AWA) in Miami, we offer structured programs designed specifically for teens dealing with mental health concerns. Our approach combines therapy, education, and family involvement to create a holistic healing environment.

Increased suicide rate among teens ages eighteen to nineteen between 2008 and 2017
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 11% of American children have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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Lifetime cases of mental illness begin at 14 years of age
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teens struggles with a diagnosable mental health condition
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Our programs demystify mental health

At Adolescent Wellness Academy, we specialize in connecting with teens and their families, making mental health support more accessible and approachable. Our clinicians break down barriers, speaking a language that both teens and parents resonate with, to provide meaningful support for adolescent mental health.

Take the first step toward support with a free consultation.

Teen Mental Health

How to tell if your child may be suffering from a mental health

What to look for

  • Persistent sadness, anxiety, or mood swings
  • Social withdrawal or loss of interest in activities
  • Difficulty concentrating or declining school performance

Symtoms your child may be experiencing

  • Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
  • Increased irritability or extreme emotional reactions
  • Self-harming behaviors or thoughts of self-harm

If your teen exhibits any of these signs, seeking professional support can make a significant difference.

Consider enrolling your child in programs like Adolescent Wellness Academy that support young individuals with mental health challenges. 

Residential-Teen-Therapy-In-Florida

The Adolescent Wellness Academy

We help teens with mental health conditions feel safe, loved, and cared for as they heal.

At AWA, we provide a nurturing environment where teens feel heard, supported, and empowered to overcome their mental health challenges. Our programs focus on:

  • Holistic Understanding: We approach mental health challenges as a multifaceted issue, addressing its psychological, emotional, and social dimensions.
  • Evidence-Based Therapies: Our program incorporates proven therapeutic techniques tailored to each teen’s needs.
  • Family-Centered Support: We involve the entire family in healing, fostering communication and collaboration for lasting positive change.

Teen Mental Health Treatment Programs

Therapeutic Day Program

Our teen mental health therapeutic day program is a comprehensive full-day program covering 4-5 hours of treatment daily and 2-3 hours of educational support to ensure your teen stays on track in school.

  • Weekly psychiatric assessment
  • 1 hour of individual therapy per week
  • 4 hours of daily therapeutic groups 
  • On-site school support
  • Clinical support for crisis management
  • Weekly Parent Support Group
  • Nutritional support as required

Intensive Outpatient Program

Our IOP after-school program is designed to address the challenges of teen mental health. Covering 3 hours of dedicated treatment sessions, offered 3 to 5 days a week, provides a supportive environment where teens can openly discuss their struggles and work toward healing.

  • 1 hour of individual therapy per week
  • 3 hours of daily therapeutic groups
  • Clinical support for crisis management
  •  Weekly Parent Support Group
  • Nutritional support as required

What AWA Mental Health Therapy

Mental health challenges can stem from various factors. At AWA, we specialize in treating:

Depression & Mood Disorders: Addressing persistent sadness, hopelessness, and mood swings.

Trauma & PTSD: Helping teens process and heal from past trauma.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Managing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Eating Disorders: Conditions such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are often associated with depression.

Benefits for teens receiving treatment

Teens receive educational support to ensure they stay on track in school while pursuing their therapeutic goals.
We recognize that personal growth involves self-discovery, and the pace of this journey varies for each individual. Teens participate in the program for 4-12 weeks and then drop down to our lower level of care (IOP).

Each client has an individualized treatment plan developed by a multidisciplinary treatment team. Our program offers a mix of individual and group therapy where families are fully involved.

Our program also offers a community where teens (and parents) experience a sense of belonging. In groups, teens learn from each other, find other teens going throught the same challenges as them, practice compassion and develop social skills. This is where the real magic happens.

What Makes Adolescent Wellness Academy Different

  • A Safe & Non-Judgmental Environment: We create a supportive space where teens feel understood.
  • Family Involvement: Parents and guardians play an active role in their teen’s healing journey.
  • Expert Clinicians: Our mental health professionals specialize in adolescent care.
  • Accredited Programs: AWA is accredited by the Joint Commission, ensuring high-quality care.
  • Insurance Coverage: We accept most major insurance providers.

Our Teen Mental Health Treatment Locations

Teen mental health treatment and therapies are available at the following locations:

Getting Started

1

Reach Out

Call or email us, and we will get to know your loved one’s concerns. Our Admissions team will understand your teen’s needs. We will verify your insurance coverage and work with you to find a solution that will help you with your financial situation.

2

Complete Assessment

An assessment process is designed to gather information about the teenager’s mental health history, symptoms, triggers, and any previous treatment experiences. This assessment helps in tailoring the therapy program to address specific needs effectively.

3

Schedule First Session

After completing the assessment, patients can schedule their initial therapy session. This session allows the therapist to evaluate the teenager’s condition further, establish rapport, set treatment goals, and discuss the overall therapy plan moving forward.

Reach out to us today! You'll never be alone again.

All calls are confidential. 
We accept most insurance but do not take Medicaid at this time.

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Your care is
covered here

We understand that you have more pressing concerns right now, the cost of 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.

We’d like to handle the insurance details so that you can focus on what truly matters.

What Parents ❤️ About AWA

95% of parents and teens recommend AWA

Why Choose AWA

Our program’s positive impact and strong outcomes are the driving force behind our work. Seeing families thriving and witnessing the transformation of the teens fills us with a sense of purpose.

Parent & Teen Recommendation Rate
95%
Significant reduction of mental health struggles in 96% of our patients
96%
Program completion rate
86%
Why Choose AWA​ - Teen Anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

If your teen is experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, social withdrawal, self-harm, or extreme emotional distress, seeking professional help is recommended.

Our PHP provides full-day structured treatment, while IOP is a flexible after-school program with evening therapy sessions.

Yes! We accept most major commercial insurance providers. Contact us to verify coverage.

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.

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.

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.