Adolescent Growth

I am a parent of a teen in Adolescent Growth. I am a professional business woman. I am so grateful for finding this place. IF you have a teen that you think has emotional issues/​disorders and any drug or alcohol exposure (or dependency) — give these people a call. GET YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILD HELP! This is such a great place for treating, identifying and addressing the EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL ISSUES, not just the alcohol or drugs. I have had extensive personal interaction with the Los Angeles, Lake Balboa and Sherman Oaks locations, by visitation, group meetings with staff, therapists, doctors, parents and the owners. A high level of professionalism, communication and accessibility, with transparency. Yes, they are a for-​profit company — but I see where some of the profits go — right back into the facilities! They provide a beautiful «home» environment for the teens — quiet, peaceful, encouraging and they learn communication skills, respect, gratitude while having access to therapists and a psychiatrist who are «ON IT»! They have their own 12 step program in house, they go to a fitness/​gym every day, in house school, and provide great meals — my teen is eating SALADS every day — that is HUGE! I have seen all 4 locations, each of the homes are tastefully and beautifully decorated, recently painted, beautiful fireplaces, flooring and the kitchens are open and roomy — lots of cushy sofas and a quiet environment for the teens to focus. The responsiveness from this company is EXCELLENT! I have interacted with several, if not all, of the staff — admissions, billing, insurance review, therapists, psychiatrist, staff members and the owner, Dr. Joy — when I send an email, I either get a call back within an hour or a professional response via email, ALWAYS offering me to call them if there are other questions or if I’d prefer to discuss this on the phone. NONE of the emails are auto-​responders. Dr. Joy??? I was in a bit of a crisis with my child’s father who has limited access — and there was some confusion about the court documents (I had not provided them with exactly what they needed) Dr. Joy called me at 6:15 am — AM — (I am an early morning person) to just affirm they were supporting me and my daughter and working within the law and simply asked — «What can we do to support you?» We worked it out. She and her husband attend the Saturday Family meetings and greet each parent. THESE ARE THE OWNERS… not a big corporation… just kind people who are running a business THAT MATTERS. The therapists? wonderful, Look, if you are looking for a place to just «store» your teen — THIS IS NOT IT! You, as the parent (s) and your family — are going to be involved for the 45 days of treatment and then on an on-​going monthly basis — The entire family that lives together is going to be asked to participate in therapy — so please note that you are going to have to attend Saturday meetings (via online if you live 100+ miles away) and you will have an additional therapy session with your teen and the assigned therapist at least once a week — YOU have to be committed and let’s face it — THIS IS A FAMILY ISSUE. Family Sessions are intimate, personal and enlightening — they provide donuts for breakfast and a great lunch, too! Two therapists run the meetings from 9:30 — 2:00 and it is structured for the entire family — you won’t want to miss it — and you feel supported! The provide you training and tools to CHANGE your reactions, responses and to create better communication at home. The staff? LOVE THEM! As I’ve said, I’ve been to all 4 locations and at each and every location. I have been immediately addressed (kindly and professionally) they go out of their way to assist the parents — I love that the staff are young, outgoing and interact with the kids in a very POSITIVE and SUPPORTIVE manner — they are respectful to the kids, not rude and not tyrants! And they do this all the time, not just when the parents are around. You have time alone with your child each week and phone calls daily, so you get the «truth» and the «truth» is the staff bond with the teens in with healthy boundaries, clear communication and positive support. There was a time when the teens in the house got into a heated argument, the staff members called in a therapist (after hours) who arrived at the house within the hour and there was a therapeutic session for them… as I said, they address the issues, as they arise, as they are needed. The staff are well trained and are a cohesive team. There was a small fender bender while a staff member was driving the teens to a field trip — I got a call from the staff member, letting me know. Nobody was injured, not a big deal — but they COMMUNICATE! The psychiatrist? a teen and adolescent psychiatrist — last week during my teen’s weekly session with her, she called me and described what behavior was being treated, asked my permission to change the medication and then explained clearly why she was doing it