Month: August 2014

Adolescent outpatient treatment can provide your teen with the tools they need to overcome their addiction.  Despite a teen’s desire to stop their substance abuse on their own, it can be nearly impossible to overcome an addiction without professional assistance.  To best equip your teen and your family to fully recover from a substance abuse issue, it is important to find the ideal treatment facility for their needs.  

In southern California, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers offer a comprehensive approach to adolescent treatment.  The team at Visions understand that adolescents have unique needs due to their social, mental and emotional development.  Further, Visions puts an emphasis on treating the family as well as the adolescent, allowing the family to heal, grow, and recover together.

Visions Adolescent Outpatient Treatment

Visions provides adolescent outpatient treatment in two treatment facilities in Los Angeles.  These programs focus on establishing healthy lifestyles while helping the teens to establish themselves as individuals.  These programs are designed for:

• Adolescents between 13 and 18 years of age
• Males and females
• Teenagers with involved parents or guardians

Goals and objectives for recovery are met through individual, group, and family counseling and therapy.

1st Step Program

Visions’ 1st Step Program has a dual purpose.  For some clients, the program is the first step in beginning their treatment.  For others, the 1st Step Program provides a way for teens to gradually return to their everyday lives after leaving an inpatient program.  For both groups, the Visions team provides ongoing support and guidance to help adolescents and their families navigate the process.  The 1st Step Program includes:

• Clinical support for 8 weeks with sessions between two and three times a week
• Individual session with a counselor or therapist
• Group sessions for rebuilding the family unit
• Drug testing
• Introduction of the twelve step program to teens with substance abuse issues

Intensive Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program

After the 1st Step Program is the Intensive Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Program.  This next step continues to heal the family unit and provides the teen with the tools they need to recover.   This stage of treatment includes:

• Clinical support for one year, which is divided into three phases – The Primary Care Phase occurs during months one and two;  The Continuing Care Phase occurs during months three through six;  The Aftercare Planning Phase takes place during months seven through twelve
• Individual, group, and family sessions
• Family support groups to equip parents with the tools they need to successfully navigate parenting a teen with a treatment need
• Drug testing
• Implementation of twelve step programs for clients with addiction issues

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Approach

The treatment programs at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are built on the foundation of a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) approach.  This approach is successful with adolescents as it provides them with the tools they need to recognize and control their overwhelming emotions and self-defeating behaviors.  Without controlling these behaviors, adolescents display a number of behavioral issues including:

• Violence
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts and attempts
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse

DBT focuses on:

• Mindfulness
• Tolerating feelings of distress
• Regulating emotions
• Handling stressful situations
• Improving relationships with others

The goals of these treatment methods are to create a “life worth living.”

Aftercare Plan  

One of the most important parts of treatment is a thorough aftercare plan.  Developed by both the adolescent and their counselor, the aftercare plan outlines how a client will overcome stress, cravings, and problems after leaving treatment.  The comprehensive plan encompasses the following:

• Outlining the plan for continuing care
• Identifying and planning for the client’s physical and psychiatric needs
• Outlining the client’s 12 step meeting schedule
• Family relationships, academic, and social needs

This plan helps to arrange support services for after treatment and puts clients in touch with providers.

To receive additional information on the adolescent outpatient treatment Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide, contact us today.  Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Teen outpatient counseling provides parents and adolescents the support they need to address their issues. Due to their ongoing mental, emotional and hormonal development, it is normal for teens to have some difficulties or behavioral issues.  For some teens, behavioral issues go beyond what is normal for their development and are instead symptoms of a larger issue.  It can be tough to tell when your child has crossed the line between normal teenage behavior and needing professional assistance.  A good rule of thumb is, if you feel you no longer have control of the situation, it is time to seek help.  

Teen outpatient counseling works to support adolescents in need and their families in several ways:

Teen outpatient counseling is designed specifically for the needs of adolescents, who have vastly different care needs than adults.  Outpatient counseling is designed to address client’s needs who have strong family involvement.

During outpatient counseling, teens are partnered with a therapist and counselor who will follow them throughout treatment.  There care is supplemented by professionals from a number of specialties including:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Medical doctors
• Registered dietitians
• Art therapists

Sessions are held at times that are convenient for the scheduling needs of both the adolescents and their parents, with meeting times in the evening and weekends.  The goal is to incorporate outpatient treatment into a schedule that includes school, work, family time and extra-curricular activities.

Outpatient treatment can be used to treat a number of different behavioral issues including:

• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Prescription drug abuse
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Mental health issues

Family involvement is a key component of an outpatient treatment program.  A teenager’s parents play a large role in their lives and have great influence over them.  In order to allow families to heal, it is important to rebuild the family relationship.  This is possible by giving families the tools they need to recognize symptoms of unhealthy behaviors and to communicate in a healthy manner.

Overall goals for teen outpatient counseling include:

• Motivation and encouragement to develop healthy living practices and a clean lifestyle
• Aid the adolescent in developing the strategies and coping tools needed to problem solve issues as they arise
• Giving adolescents the tools they need to recognize problematic situations and  change them before they trigger a relapse
• Assessing and meeting the psychological, psychiatric and medical needs of the patient
• Involving the client’s family in their recovery in order to rebuild and reestablish the family unit
• Supporting the use of a 12 step approach for adolescents with substance abuse issues

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers offer two outpatient programs in the Los Angeles area. The program, built on the foundation of supporting families and clinical excellence is among the highest rated treatment programs in southern California. Their treatment program, for males and females between 13 and 18, helps teens build a healthy lifestyle while respecting their dignity and integrity.  Their Los Angeles treatment facilities offer two distinct programs for recovery:

1st Step Program

The 1st Step Program can either be an introduction to teen outpatient counseling or a way to transition after leaving an inpatient treatment program. This program lasts 8 weeks and consists of counseling sessions two to three times a week. The sessions include individual counseling, group counseling, family counseling and drug testing.  

Intensive Outpatient Program

The intensive outpatient program lasts for one year and covers three treatment phases:

• Months 1 – 2 – Primary Care Phase
• Months 3 – 6 – Continuing Care Phase
• Months 7 – 12 – Aftercare Planning Phase

Each phase of treatment includes family sessions, group sessions, individual sessions, support groups for parents and drug testing.  Additionally, clients with substance abuse issues are introduced to, and become engaged in, 12 step treatment programs.

For additional information on Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers teen outpatient counseling programs speak with a counselor today.  Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Adolescent outpatient counseling provides a way to get your child the professional help and support they need in a nonresidential setting. As a parent, there may be a moment when you realize that your child’s struggles require a level of support that only a professional can provide.  This does not mean that your parenting skills were insufficient, in fact, it is quite the opposite.  The choice to pursue adolescent outpatient treatment means that you are ready to put your child’s needs above everything else.  

Adolescent outpatient counseling provides a comprehensive program for adolescents and their parents to identify the root cause of their behavior, address those issues, recover and grow.  This is all done in a safe and supportive environment that encourages adolescents to grow as individuals while learning to manage their emotions.

What is the most effective adolescent outpatient counseling program?

It is important to select a treatment center that focuses on treating adolescents.  Adolescents have distinctly different needs than adults and their treatment must be based on their unique needs.  Additionally, an effective program will tailor each client’s treatment plan on their specific medical, psychological, social and mental health needs.  No two individuals have the same background and circumstances, therefore it is important to treat each person as an individual.

How involved should our family be in the adolescent outpatient counseling program?

Parental and family involvement is extremely important to the success of a treatment program.  In fact, many high quality centers only accept clients who have involved families, as family participation is a large indicator for success.  As a parent, you should have open communication with the treatment program. You should feel comfortable visiting the center and asking questions of the staff.  If a treatment program frowns upon or discourages parental involvement, you should look for other options.

In addition to individual treatment for the adolescent, the ideal program will provide family sessions.  These sessions should be designed with the intention of rebuilding the family unit and opening the lines of communication.  Through the treatment process, families should be equipped to identify symptoms of dysfunction and to feel comfortable altering their past patterns to grown and recover together.  Additionally, family involvement helps to create a positive environment for your teen as they go through treatment.

What issues does adolescent outpatient counseling treat?

A comprehensive adolescent treatment program can treat a number of issues, or a combination of issues including:

• Drug addiction
• Alcohol addiction
• Prescription drug addiction
• Eating disorders
• Mental health disorders

When is outpatient treatment the correct approach for an adolescent’s issues?   

Each individual’s needs for treatment is different.  For some, an outpatient treatment program is the first step in their recovery and their first step toward professional help.  Others will seek outpatient treatment as a way to transition out of a residential treatment program.  For both sets of groups, outpatient treatment provides support and the tools the teens need to develop healthy living habits and problem solving strategies.  Speak with a counselor about your teen and their specific issues for a professional opinion on whether an outpatient or inpatient program is best suited for their needs.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide adolescent outpatient counseling in two Los Angeles area locations.  These programs are designed to treat each client as an individual and to open the lines of communication within families.  Visions provides outpatient treatment in two steps:

• 1st Step Program – This eight week program meets two to three times a week and provides individual sessions, group sessions, family sessions, drug testing and an introduction to the 12 step approach for those with substance abuse issues.
• Intensive Outpatient Program – This year long program is divided into three phases, Primary Care, Continuing Care and Aftercare. In addition to the sessions provided in the 1st Step Program, clients of the Intensive Outpatient Program have parental support groups and multi-modal group sessions.

To receive additional information on the adolescent outpatient treatment available at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers, contact them today.    Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

The selection of a teen addiction treatment program is one of the most important factors in getting your child the support they need to recover.  Substance abuse addiction is nearly impossible to overcome without professional assistance, even when a person wants to do better.  There are real physical, mental and emotional components of substance abuse, all of which must be addressed in order to recover. Recovery is important, especially in adolscents, as ongoing substance abuse can lead to addictions as an adult.   

The ideal teen addiction treatment program will solely focus on the needs of adolescents.  Adolescents have a unique set of needs due to their continuing emotional, mental and physical development.  A teen addiction treatment program must understand those nuances and be equipped to address them as a part of their treatment plan.

Where is the best place in southern California for teen addiction treatment?

With centers throughout southern California, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide addiction treatment that is tailored to the unique needs of teenagers.  Their comprehensive approach provides treatment in a number of ways:

• Outpatient treatment
• Inpatient treatment
• Alternative education
• Extended inpatient treatment
• Post-adolescent outpatient treatment

The care team at Visions understands that providing treatment for teens also means supporting and rebuilding the family relationship. Visions’ team of experts are a great resource for parents and teens alike and can provide support from intervention to aftercare.

What sets Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers apart from other teen addiction treatment facilities?

When Visions was founded in 2002, the goal was to create an adolescent care facility that had a cutting edge approach and a focus on clinical excellence.  Since the beginning, Visions has advocated for the family unit, a practice which has helped to set the standard for adolescent care in the industry.  Great care was taken while selecting the treatment team to ensure that each member shared the same passion for equipping teens and their families with the tools they need to recover. This dedication to excellence sets Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers apart as a world class adolescent treatment facility.

How Does Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers approach teen addiction treatment?

Visions offers a clinically based approach for teens and their families.  Treatment plans are personalized and developed with input from the teen, their families, their teachers, their previous counselors and Visions’ team of professional clinicians.  It is important that the teens are involved in the process of creating their treatment plans for two reasons.  First, it ensures that the teen is able to work toward their personal goals and objectives for treatment.  Second, it helps to get the teen’s buy in to treatment as their input is proven to be valuable to their treatment process.

Although each treatment plan is different, there are several goals that are universal for all Visions clients seeking help for addiction:  

• Motivating teens and helping to develop the tools necessary to strive for and sustain recovery.
• Finding the root cause of the addictive behavior and addressing those issues.
• Arriving to the understanding that use of drugs or alcohol does not eliminate problems.
• Developing the cooping tools necessary to identify times where drugs or alcohol would have been used in the past and the skills to deal with those issues as they arise.
• Establishing problem solving skills in order to avoid negative behavior.
• Introduction of the twelve step approach and developing an understanding how twelve steps are beneficial after leaving treatment and for the rest of a person’s life.
• Providing clarity of mind in order for the teen to see how their addiction affected their lives and the lives of the people around them.
• A comprehensive treatment plan which provides individual sessions for the adolescent as well as family sessions to rebuild the family unit.
• Developing the ability to identify situations that have the potential to trigger a relapse and the tools necessary to walk away from or change those situations.
• Active involvement in treatment with a focus on redeveloping healthy habits and treatments while sober.

Receive additional information on the teen addiction treatment programs at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers by contacting them today. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

As a parent, having a child who needs adolescent addiction treatment can be heartbreaking.  It is natural to want to be able to take care of your child and protect them.  However, despite a parent’s hard work and good intentions, it is virtually impossible to overcome addiction without professional help. In order to provide your teenager with the support they need to overcome their addiction and to remain clean, it is important to find an adolescent addiction treatment facility that can suit their needs.  

Adolescent addiction treatment is very different from adult addiction treatment.  Adolescents are still developing mentally, socially, emotionally and psychologically and their treatment plans must reflect this ongoing development.  To provide the best chance of success and to adequately support both the family and the addicted child, it is important to find a facility that specializes in treating adolescents.

Facilities

With treatment facilities throughout southern California, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide world class adolescent addiction treatment.  Treatment is provided in a variety of ways to address multiple needs.  Adolescent addiction treatment is provided though:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Extended inpatient treatment
• Alternative education
• Post-adolescent outpatient treatment

Treatment Team

In each setting, a comprehensive treatment team provides ongoing care that is customized to the specific needs of each client.  The treatment team includes:

• Dieticians
• Counselors
• Physicians
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Registered nurses
• Licensed therapists
• Art therapists
• Equine therapists

This is in addition to the one on one care adolescents receive from their therapist and counselor.  The team approach provides well rounded treatment and allows adolescents to receive the maximum level of care.

Goals for Treatment

Although each client’s treatment plan is tailored to their specific needs, there are several goals that apply to the treatment of all clients:

• Motivating and encouraging clients to overcome their addiction and sustain their sobriety
• Helping clients identify scenarios where they would have used drugs or alcohol to help cope and to uncover alternative ways of handling those situations
• Assisting the client in developing coping and problem solving skills
• Introduction of the 12 step process as a way to receive ongoing support for addiction recovery
• Providing the tools necessary for the client to see how their behavior has negatively impacted their lives and the lives of the people around them
• Rebuilding the family unit through family counseling, opening the lines of communication and providing the family with the support they need to recognize the symptoms of dysfunction and to alter that behavior
• Helping clients to recognize their own negative behaviors and attitudes and to provide the skills necessary to adjust both issues

Family Involvement

Family involvement is a very important component of adolescent addiction treatment.  Research has shown that clients who have parental support have the best chance at success.  Nearly all families have the same emotions regarding their child’s substance abuse issues:

• Helplessness
• Hopelessness
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Anger

The goal of family treatment is to move families to more positive emotions:  

• Trust
• Acceptance
• Hope
• Awareness
• Healthy Communication

Support for families is provided in a number of ways:

• Multi-family group – Group sessions held with multiple families in order to share experiences and to provide and receive support from others in a similar situation
• Individual family sessions – Sessions held with the family unit in order to assess the family’s needs and address conflict
• Family education – These sessions provide education on the symptoms of dysfunction and how to recognize them. Using this, families can self-correct and open lines of communication in order to heal and provide a supportive environment

The team at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are industry leaders in the field of adolescent addiction treatment.  By focusing on the unique needs of each client, and having a thorough understanding of the special needs of adolescents, Visions is able to help clients become and remain sober.  To receive additional information on the adolescent addiction treatment programs provided by Visions Adolescent, contact them today. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.