Marijuana Treatment for Teens

Does your teen struggle with marijuana use? Join us as we navigate this journey together.

The rate of marijuana use among teens ages sixteen and seventeen has risen
0 %

Marijuana Use

Marijuana abuse manifests uniquely in each person, but it commonly presents with persistent and overpowering cravings and usage, which can significantly disrupt daily functioning.

Recent statistics reveal that about 29% of 12th graders, 17.8% of 10th graders, and 8.3% of 8th graders reported using marijuana in the past year. Additionally, the prevalence of marijuana use disorder among individuals aged 12 or older is approximately 5.8%.

It’s crucial to recognize that there are gender disparities in marijuana abuse diagnoses. Adolescent boys are more likely than girls in the same age group to experience marijuana use disorder.

Adolescent marijuana abuse has increased over the past 20 years
0 %
Marijuana users report first use between the ages of 12-17​
0 /2
Of high school students have reported trying marijuana
0 %
of lifetime cases of mental illness begin at 14 years of age
0 /10

Our programs address marijuana use

At Adolescent Wellness Academy, we specialize in connecting with teens and their families, making substance abuse 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 marijuana use disorder.

Take the first step toward support with a free consultation.

AWA - Teen Anxiety

How to tell if your child may be struggling with marijuana use

What to look for

  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Experiencing excessive worry or paranoia
  • Feelings of restlessness or being on edge
  • Loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
  • Secrecy about activities and belongings

Symptoms your child may be experiencing

  • Trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Fatigue or low energy levels
  • Bloodshot eyes or persistent cough
  • Irritability or mood swings

If you notice these signs in your child, it’s important not to brush them off as everyday stress or typical behavior. marijuana use is a significant issue that requires attention and support. Ignoring these symptoms can exacerbate the problem and potentially lead to harmful consequences.

It’s crucial to approach your child with empathy and understanding and to seek professional help from a substance abuse counselor who can provide appropriate guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey, and with the proper treatment and support system in place, there is hope for your child to manage their marijuana use and feel better.

The Adolescent Wellness Academy​ Teen Anxiety

The Adolescent Wellness Academy

We help teens with marijuana use feel safe, loved, and cared for as they heal.

Through our program, teens receive personalized support in a safe and nurturing environment, empowering them to overcome marijuana use and thrive.

  • Holistic Understanding: We approach marijuana use 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 Marijuana Use Treatment Programs

Therapeutic Day Program

Our teen marijuana use therapeutic day program is a comprehensive full-day program covering 4-5 hours of treatment daily and 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
  • Weekly parent coaching call
  • Nutritional support as required

Intensive Outpatient Program

Our IOP afterschool program is designed to address the challenges of teen marijuana use. 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 daily of therapeutic groups
  • Clinical support for crisis management
  •  Weekly Parent Support Group
  • Weekly parent coaching call
  • Nutritional support as required

What AWA Marijuana Use Therapy Treats

Substance abuse problems can have a wide range of causes. It’s likely that for many people, there is a complicated combination of factors – although different people may be more deeply affected by certain things than others.

Other mental health issues that are commonly treated alongside marijuana use disorder

Mental health issues often overlap and can coexist with substance abuse. Some commonly treated mental health issues that may accompany or be related to marijuana use include:

Marijuana use disorder symptoms can manifest in various ways, but alterations in your teen’s emotions and behaviors may include the following:

  • Intense cravings for marijuana
  • Increased tolerance and needing more to achieve the same effects
  • Easily irritated or agitated mood
  • Withdrawal from usual activities or social interactions
  • Conflict or avoidance with family and friends
  • Decreased self-confidence or self-worth
  • Persistent feelings of inadequacy or guilt
  • Dwelling on past mistakes or excessive self-criticism
  • Heightened sensitivity to criticism or rejection, seeking constant reassurance
  • Difficulty concentrating, decision-making, or remembering tasks
  • Persistent belief that life is fraught with dangers and uncertainty
  • Frequent preoccupation with thoughts of worst-case scenarios or potential harm
  • Changes in behavior
  • Decline in academic performance or increased school absences

Substance Use Disorders:  some individuals may use substances as a way to cope with or alleviate symptoms of anxiety, leading to a cycle of addiction and worsening mental health.

Schizophrenia: is primarily characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and impaired cognitive functioning; individuals with schizophrenia may also experience co-occurring anxiety.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD involves recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions).

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

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

When you join our therapy or afterschool programs, you enter a caring and non-judgmental community. This support network involves teens, their families, peers, and our team. Together, everyone plays a role in supporting each other while our clinicians create a safe space for this supportive community to flourish.

  • Building resilience
  • Fostering self-discovery and awareness
  • AWA offers a treatment experience beyond managing symptoms, aiming for transformative healing and lasting change
  • Engaging in creative and experiential activities offers various clinical benefits.
  • Our programs demystify mental health
  • Family Connection

Our Teen Marijuana Use Treatment Locations

Teen marijuana use 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. 

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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.

Satisfaction with staff & program
96%
Our teen anxiety therapy significantly reduced the anxiety levels of 91% of our clients
91%
Program completion rate
86%
Why Choose AWA​ - Teen Anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions

Signs that your teenager may need therapy for marijuana use include frequent cravings or use, withdrawal from activities or social interactions, changes in sleep or appetite, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and increased secrecy about activities or belongings. If you notice these symptoms significantly impacting your teenager’s daily life and functioning, seeking professional help is crucial.

The duration of teen marijuana use therapy programs can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the disorder, the effectiveness of the treatment, and the individual progress of the teenager. Some therapy programs may last for a few weeks to several months, while others may extend for a year or longer, depending on the teenager’s specific needs.

Parents often play a vital role in supporting their teenager’s participation in therapy and facilitating their recovery from marijuana use. This may involve attending family therapy sessions, providing emotional support at home, helping to implement strategies learned in therapy, and collaborating with the therapist to create a supportive environment for their teenager to practice coping skills.

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to be resistant to therapy, especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed or ashamed about their disorder. In such cases, having open and honest conversations with your teenager about the importance of seeking help and addressing their concerns or reservations about therapy is crucial. You may also consider involving a trusted family member, friend, or mental health professional to help encourage your teenager to participate in therapy.

Supporting your teenager’s recovery doesn’t end when they complete a therapy program. It’s essential to continue providing love, understanding, and encouragement, as well as helping them practice the coping skills and strategies they learned in therapy. Additionally, staying connected with their therapist or mental health provider can help ensure ongoing support and follow-up care as needed.

Teen marijuana use therapy refers to specialized programs or interventions designed to help teenagers cope with and manage cannabis use. These programs often include counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention techniques, and other therapeutic approaches tailored to the specific needs of adolescents struggling with cannabis use disorder.

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.