Adolescent Outpatient Treatment

Being an adolescent or teen isn’t easy. Your child may face many challenges, from bullying on social media to school violence. They may be dealing with depression, anxiety or trauma. Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital can help.

A group of children and one adult pose and smile.

Our adolescent outpatient treatment provides after-school group therapy for teens ages 12 to 17 (or 18 if they are still in high school). Therapists give your child the tools and confidence they need to navigate life’s challenges.

Adolescent Outpatient Treatment: Why Choose Us?

Our adolescent outpatient program is for teens with a range of mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and trauma. The service is for adolescents who are either stepping down from an inpatient level of care or trying to prevent inpatient care.

Highlights of our mental health treatment for teens include:

After-school sessions: Our adolescent outpatient program happens in the late afternoon, so it doesn’t interrupt your child’s school life. Groups meet Monday through Thursday, approximately 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. (Times may vary by location.)
Small groups: We limit our group therapy sessions to no more than 12 people so that each adolescent gets the mental health care and attention they need.
Tailored therapy sessions: We customize group sessions based on participants’ needs. Sessions cover a range of topics, including mood regulation, conflict resolution, communication skills, mindfulness techniques and expressive therapy using art and music.
Virtual access: If your child can’t attend in person, they can participate virtually. Approximately 25% of our participants attend online.
Snacks and drinks: To help your child maintain their energy and focus, we provide snacks and drinks (such as chips, animal crackers, juice and water).

Adolescent Mental Health Treatment: Therapies We Provide

At Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital, we can provide intervention, recommend the appropriate level of care, conduct no-cost assessments and make referrals when necessary.

We use several types of therapy in our adolescent treatment program:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy, CBT helps your child become aware of their thoughts and feelings so they can respond to challenging situations better.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): A type of talk therapy, DBT helps your child accept the reality of their lives and learn to change unhelpful behaviors. It also helps your child regulate their emotions.
Process group therapy: During group therapy, your child shares their concerns in a respectful, confidential group. This helps them process their issues and gain perspective.