Teen Program
At the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center, we understand that today’s teens face unique social and academic pressures that can tempt them to turn to alcohol or drugs. Seeking early intervention for substance use, abuse and addiction is an important step toward your teen’s recovery and ongoing wellness, as well as a critical component in developing emotional health, self-esteem and positive coping skills.
Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to creating a comprehensive and personalized treatment program that meets the unique needs of each individual. Your teen’s experienced support team may include psychiatrists, psychologists, addictionologists, counselors, family therapists and support staff.
About Our Program
Our teen outpatient program is specially designed for teens ages 13 to 17 who need an intensive, structured program to get back on a healthy path, but who do not require inpatient care.
All program activities are conducted after school hours, allowing teens to continue attending school and living at home while receiving the support they need to get — and stay — clean and sober in their everyday environment.
The team at the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center provides a combination of individual, group and family counseling to deliver the highest level of recovery care.
Our teen outpatient program is affiliated with Torrance Memorial Medical Center and supported by the McMillen Foundation.
Your teen will receive consistent, affordable and personalized care from experienced professionals who follow evidence-based treatment guidelines — all in a safe, stable and confidential environment.
Teen Program Facility Photos
We Can Help
- Identify alcohol and/or drug misuse, abuse and addiction and provide expert treatment
- Address underlying disorders such as anxiety, depression, trauma or other mental health conditions, when needed
- Provide support for teens and their families throughout recovery
- Help teens develop effective coping strategies for the pressures of adolescence
- Provide early intervention to help prevent negative consequences associated with substance misuse, including poor grades, legal issues, health concerns and risky behaviors
- Help teens break patterns of substance abuse and build strong community support systems
What to Expect
The first step is for parents to meet with our Program Director for a comprehensive assessment of the family’s needs and concerns. This meeting helps establish support for treatment and recovery.
Our experienced providers will then perform a confidential, one-on-one assessment at no charge to determine whether your teen is abusing or dependent on drugs or alcohol.
If our intake specialists determine that outpatient treatment is appropriate, we will create a personalized and comprehensive treatment plan. Guidance will also be provided if inpatient treatment is recommended.
After the initial screening, our staff nurse will complete a health screening. Your teen may also be referred to one of our consulting psychiatrists.
Outpatient treatment may not be effective if the client has an unstable home life, weak support system or is unable to remain substance-free for at least 24 hours.
Our affordable, confidential program typically lasts six months and is divided into three phases:
- Phase I — Intensive Care: Attend treatment four days a week for approximately 10 weeks.
- Phase II — Transitional Care: Attend treatment three days a week for approximately three to four months.
- Phase III — Continuing Care: Teens who complete the six-month program may continue indefinitely with weekly continuing care sessions.
Throughout the program, your teen will continue attending school, living at home and recovering within their everyday environment.
Participants are encouraged to maintain relationships with their physicians, psychologists and counselors while developing a healthy social support network.
Our program also provides practical strategies for coping with stress and other challenges in healthy ways.
We also offer individual family and multi-family counseling to address communication, conflict resolution and healthy boundaries.
During treatment, teens and their families are encouraged to participate in community-based support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Marijuana Anonymous (MA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and other self-help groups. Many of these meetings are held on the Torrance Memorial campus.
After completion of the program, we offer ongoing support resources including relapse prevention and weekly aftercare sessions to help teens and families maintain a strong sober support network.
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