Tailored Mental Health Treatment for LGBTQ+/Nonbinary Teens
Newport Academy’s all-genders residential program in Southern California was created to meet the specific needs of adolescents who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Clients in our all-genders program have their own house on campus, and clinical, experiential, and academic programming takes place within the program community—ensuring that teens have the safety and comfort they need to connect with peers and fully engage with the treatment process.
The curriculum includes groups specifically addressing experiences related to gender dysphoria, the coming-out process, identity, social acceptance, and other relevant issues.
Each client’s tailored treatment schedule also includes:
- Group therapy sessions to enhance self-regulation and healthy identity formation
- Family therapy to strengthen parent-child connection and communication
- Individual therapy to help teens heal from underlying trauma and attachment wounds
- Support to build skills for navigating transition and creating positive change
- Experiential therapy, including creative expression through music and art; yoga and mindfulness exercises; and outdoor activities in the region’s beautiful coastal areas and nature preserves
- Academic programming to build motivation and engagement and close proficiency gaps, setting teens up for success when they return to their home school
In addition, we treat LGBTQ+ adolescents at our other nationwide residential and outpatient locations. Programming is gender-responsive according to each teen’s gender identity, and decisions regarding housing are made in consultation with the family.
Licensed Clinical and Therapeutic Experts with Specialized Training in the Needs of LGBTQ+ Adolescents
All clinical experts and care staff for the program have expertise and experience in addressing the mental health challenges that LGBTQ+ youth face. Newport has partnered with the Trevor Project, the nation’s foremost LGBTQ+ advocacy and research organization, to provide specialized training for our staff.
Newport Academy’s programs are fully accredited by The Joint Commission.
We understand the specific challenges this group of young people face as they come of age.
Our treatment takes into account the unique needs of LGBTQ+ adolescents and provides them with tools for navigating the world, building self-worth, and forming strong relationships with peers, mentors, and their larger community.
Three-quarters
of transgender and nonbinary youth report symptoms of anxiety, and two-thirds report symptoms of depression, due to factors including societal stigma, discrimination, and bullying
82%
of LGBTQ youth want mental healthcare, but 60% of that group was unable to access care in the past year
1 in 2
trans young people and 1 in 3 nonbinary youth have been physically threatened or harmed due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
93%
of trans and nonbinary youth have worried about trans people being denied access to gender-affirming medical care due to state or local laws
By Week 3
Newport clients experience a 40% decrease in depression and a 30% decrease in anxiety
100%
of our clients show an improvement in well-being as treatment progresses, including more energy, greater calm, and more interest and engagement in daily life and activities
Sources: Trevor Project 2022 Survey, Newport Healthcare Center for Research and Innovation
We work with most major health insurance companies, both in and out of network, to optimize access to care for teens and families.
How Do You Know When Teen Residential Treatment Is Needed?
When a teen is showing ongoing signs of depression, trauma, anxiety, distress, or defiance, they may need the full-spectrum support of a live-in teen residential program. In some cases, residential treatment is the next step after a teen has been in inpatient care in a hospital after a mental health crisis.
However, residential care is also appropriate for teens who have been in outpatient care or weekly therapy but need more support than these options provide. Research shows that residential programs are an effective approach to treating teen depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Furthermore, experts recommend at least 90 days of residential treatment for the most successful outcomes.
Newport Academy’s Philosophy of Care
Our comprehensive approach incorporates clinical, experiential, and academic modalities, as well as ongoing family involvement. We treat the individual teen and the whole family to set the foundation for long-term, sustainable healing from mental health and co-occurring issues, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-harm, substance use disorder, and disordered eating.
Family Involvement
We seek to heal the whole teen and also the whole family, repairing ruptures in the parent-child relationship so adolescents feel safe turning to their parents when they are struggling. Through our mandatory parent involvement, we also focus on supporting parents so they can find the healing they might need in order to move forward as a harmonious family unit.
Our Integrative Approach
Newport Academy provides treatment that addresses the underlying trauma that causes mental health concerns and behavioral issues. We take a scientific and compassionate approach to providing the tools a teen needs to gain resilience, practice emotional self-regulation, and manage the stressors that come with life using healthy coping skills that set them up for a bright future.