Where Can I Send My Out of Control Teenager?

Parenting a teenager can be challenging, but when your teen’s behavior becomes uncontrollable, defiance, aggression, running away, substance use, or trouble with the law, it can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed.

If you’re asking yourself, “Where can I send my out of control teenager?” you’re not alone. Many parents seek professional support to help their troubled teens regain direction and stability.

At Adolescent Wellness Academy (AWA) in Miami, Florida, we provide structured therapeutic programs designed to support struggling teens and their families. This guide will explore the options available to parents, the benefits of professional intervention, and how our specialized programs for troubled teens can make a difference.

When considering where to send your out of control teenager, it’s important to choose a program that offers expert guidance, emotional support, and a clear path to healing.

Where Can I Send My Out of Control Teenager

Signs Your Troubled Teen May Need Professional Help

Recognizing when typical teenage rebellion crosses into dangerous or unmanageable behavior is key to knowing when outside intervention is needed. Some warning signs include:

Extreme Defiance and Rebellion

  • Regularly disobeying rules at home and school
  • Engaging in risky behaviors despite consequences
  • Persistent lying or manipulation

Academic Decline

  • Sudden drop in grades and lack of interest in school
  • Skipping classes or getting expelled
  • Frequent conflicts with teachers and peers

Substance Use and Risky Behavior

  • Experimenting with drugs, alcohol, or vaping
  • Reckless activities such as stealing, vandalism, or running away
  • Unsafe sexual behavior

Mental Health Concerns

  • Extreme mood swings, anger, or violent outbursts
  • Signs of anxiety, depression, or self-harm
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors

If your teen is exhibiting any of these behaviors, it may be time to consider professional treatment programs that provide structure, therapy, and the support needed for positive change.

Signs Your Troubled Teen May Need Professional Help

Options for Parents: Where Can I Send My Out-of-Control Teenager?

Several types of programs are available to help out of control teens, each offering different levels of support and structure.

Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Therapeutic boarding schools provide structured, long-term care for teens with behavioral and emotional issues. They offer:

  • Academic support alongside therapy
  • A highly structured environment with 24/7 supervision
  • Treatment plans that address emotional, social, and behavioral challenges

Residential Treatment Centers

Residential treatment centers provide intensive, live-in treatment for teens struggling with mental health issues, substance abuse, and behavioral problems. They offer:

  • A secure environment with medical and therapeutic staff
  • Individual and group therapy sessions
  • A focus on emotional and behavioral healing

Wilderness Therapy Programs

These outdoor-based programs use nature and physical challenges to help troubled teens develop confidence, resilience, and self-awareness. They typically include:

  • Outdoor survival skills and team-building exercises
  • Therapy integrated into daily activities
  • A break from negative influences at home

Military Schools

Military-style programs focus on discipline, structure, and accountability. They may work well for teens who need external motivation, but are not ideal for those with underlying mental health issues.

Programs for Troubled Teens at AWA

For families seeking a structured program without long-term separation, AWA offers evidence-based treatment programs for troubled teens, including:

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • An after-school program offering therapy 3-5 days per week
  • Individual and group counseling with licensed therapists
  • Family involvement to strengthen relationships

Therapeutic Day Treatment for Troubled Teens

  • A full-day structured treatment program
  • Comprehensive mental health support with a focus on emotional and behavioral regulation
  • Support for school reintegration and academic success

How AWA Helps Troubled Teens

At AWA, we believe in addressing the root causes of a teen’s struggles rather than just managing symptoms. Our programs for troubled teens incorporate:

  • Individualized Therapy: Each teen receives a tailored treatment plan that focuses on their unique challenges.
  • Family Involvement: We provide family therapy and support to rebuild trust and improve communication.
  • Holistic Healing: Our approach includes mindfulness, physical wellness, and emotional regulation techniques to promote long-term success.
  • Academic Support: We help teens catch up on schoolwork and develop strategies for educational success.

When considering where to send your out-of-control teenager, it’s crucial to find a program that provides not just discipline, but also therapy, family involvement, and a path to long-term recovery.

At AWA, we combine all these essential elements to create an environment where teens can heal and grow.

The Benefits of Professional Treatment

Seeking professional help for your troubled teen can:

  • Improve family relationships and communication
  • Help teens develop healthy coping mechanisms
  • Provide structure and accountability
  • Reduce risky behaviors and prevent long-term consequences

Take the Next Step

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and asking, “Where can I send my out-of-control teenager?” know that you don’t have to face this challenge alone.

AWA’s compassionate team is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs designed to support troubled teens in Miami, Florida.

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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.