Family-Owned Residential Treatment For Your Teen

Expert residential care for adolescents (ages 12-17) facing mental health challenges. Our clinically driven, family-focused programs provide the tools your teen needs to build resilience and a brighter future.

Start Rebuilding Your Family Today!

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About us

About Hillside Horizon For Teens

Hillside Horizon for Teens strives to rewrite the stories of teens and their families, fostering healthy relationships, identifying root causes, and providing meaningful change in the home and community. As a boutique-style, family-owned and operated treatment center, we offer a personalized, compassionate approach to care. Our mission is to help families rediscover balance, stability, and peace of mind through expert support in a safe, nurturing environment where healing and growth can thrive.

Client Stories

What These Parents Are Saying

Safe & Secure Facility

Tour Our Teen Residential Facility

We provide a safe, structured, and supportive setting designed specifically for adolescent recovery. Our state-of-the-art facility offers 24/7 supervision and professional care, ensuring every teen has the stability they need to engage deeply in clinical work. From our therapeutic common areas to our outdoor spaces, every inch of our campus is built to facilitate lasting behavioral change.

Teen Treatment

What We Treat?

Anxiety Treatment

PTSD Treatment

Trauma Treatment

ADHD Treatment

Depression Treatment

Insomnia Treatment

Bipolar Disorder

Self Harm Treatment

Our Approach to Therapy

At Hillside Horizon for Teens, our approach to therapy is all about you. We understand that every teen is unique, and so are their experiences and challenges. Our therapeutic philosophy is rooted in a personalized and holistic perspective, tailoring our methods to match each individual’s needs. We blend diverse approaches, from evidence-based practices to creative and expressive therapies, to provide a comprehensive and engaging therapeutic experience.

What TO Expect

What Teen Residential Treatment Looks Like

A structured, evidence-based program spanning 60–90 days — designed to heal the whole teen and rebuild the whole family. Here’s exactly what the journey looks like, week by week.

Weeks 1-2

Stabilization & Assessment

The first two weeks are entirely about safety, comfort, and understanding. Your teen undergoes a comprehensive clinical assessment — psychiatric evaluation, trauma history, neuropsychological screening, and family dynamics review. There are no rigid expectations. We focus on building trust between your teen and their primary therapist while establishing a consistent daily rhythm. Parents receive a detailed treatment plan and have their first family therapy session by the end of week two.

Weeks 3-6

Active Treatment & Skill Building

This is the heart of the program. Teens engage in daily individual therapy, group sessions, and experiential therapies. DBT skills groups teach emotional regulation and distress tolerance. CBT sessions challenge distorted thinking patterns. Somatic and body-based therapies help teens reconnect with their physical selves. Academic instruction resumes on a modified schedule coordinated with home schools. Family therapy sessions move to twice weekly, and most families report visible progress in communication during this phase.

Weeks 7–10

Integration & Family Connection

As your teen internalizes their new tools, the focus shifts toward integration — applying skills in real situations, navigating peer relationships, and rebuilding family trust. Therapeutic home visits begin (where appropriate). Teens take on more autonomy within the program structure. Family sessions now include siblings and extended family when clinically appropriate. The discharge planning process begins, ensuring the transition home is gradual, supported, and clinically sound.

Weeks 11–14+

Transition Planning & Aftercare

No teen leaves Hillside Horizon without a detailed, individualized aftercare plan. We coordinate step-down care — IOP, PHP, or outpatient therapy — and connect families with local providers before discharge. Your teen’s therapist writes a comprehensive clinical summary that is shared (with consent) with their ongoing treatment team. Alumni check-in calls are scheduled at 30, 60, and 90 days post-discharge. The work doesn’t end at the front door — it continues.

Modalities

Therapy Modalities We Use

Our clinical team draws from a wide range of evidence-based and experiential approaches, tailored to each teen’s diagnosis and history.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Helps teens identify and reframe harmful thought patterns that drive anxiety, depression, and self-destructive behavior. Sessions are structured, skills-focused, and measurable.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Our DBT program runs as a formal skills group — covering mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Teens complete a full DBT skills curriculum during their stay.

Trauma-Informed Care & EMDR

All treatment is delivered through a trauma-informed lens. For teens with significant trauma histories, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is available as a primary treatment modality.

Somatic & Body-Based Therapy

Trauma lives in the body. Somatic therapy, breathwork, and mindful movement help teens regulate their nervous system and develop a healthier relationship with their physical selves.

Family Systems Therapy

We treat the whole family, not just the individual. Family sessions address communication breakdowns, attachment wounds, and the systemic patterns that often contribute to a teen's struggles.

Experiential & Adventure Therapy

Art therapy, equine-assisted therapy, surf therapy, and group challenges build confidence, trust, and emotional expression through experience rather than talk alone.

Group Therapy & Peer Processing

Daily peer groups are a cornerstone of the program. Teens learn they are not alone, practice vulnerability in a safe space, and develop real social skills through guided group work.

Academic Support & Tutoring

Our accredited on-site school provides individualized instruction aligned with each teen's home curriculum. No teen falls behind academically during treatment.

Safety & Comfort

What Parents Can Expect

You deserve honesty, not just reassurance. Here’s a realistic picture of what the experience looks like from a parent’s perspective.

Typical Length of Stay

Most teens complete the program in 30–90 days. Length of stay is determined by clinical progress, not a fixed calendar. Some teens benefit from extended stays of up to 6 months.

Communication Schedule

Phone calls with your teen begin in week two as clinically appropriate. Parents receive weekly written updates and have direct access to their teen's care coordinator at all times.

Your Role in Treatment

Parent involvement is not optional — it's essential. You will attend bi-weekly family therapy, complete your own parent coaching sessions, and participate in a guided family workshop before discharge.

What Healing Actually Looks Like

Progress is rarely linear. Expect emotional highs and lows, especially in the first 30 days. Resistance, breakthroughs, regressions, and growth all coexist. Our team guides you through every phase.

Daily Experience

A Day in the Life at Hillside Horizon

Structure is healing. Our carefully designed daily schedule provides teens with safety, purpose, and the space to grow — never rushed, always supported.

7:00am

Morning Wellness

Yoga, stretching, or a mindful walk along our nature trail to greet the day.

8:00 AM

Nutritious Breakfast

Chef-prepared meals eaten together as a community. We nourish the body alongside the mind.

9:00 AM

Academic Block

On-site accredited school with small class sizes and personalized academic support.

11:00 AM

Individual Therapy

One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist — CBT, DBT, EMDR, or experiential therapy.

12:30 PM

Lunch & Free Time

A relaxed midday break with time to connect with peers, journal, or explore creative activities.

2:00 PM

Group Therapy

Facilitated groups covering emotional regulation, communication skills, and peer relationships.

4:00 PM

Recreation & Enrichment

Surfing, art therapy, music, equine therapy, or team sports. Recreation is treatment too.

6:00 PM

Family Communication

Scheduled calls or visits with family, keeping relationships strong throughout treatment.

7:00 PM

Evening Group & Wind Down

Reflective evening groups followed by personal time — reading, journaling, or mindfulness.

9:30 PM

Lights Out

A consistent sleep schedule supports emotional regulation and mental health recovery.

OUR PROCESS

How the Process Works

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Initial Call

When you make your initial call, one of our dedicated staff members will answer any questions

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Verification of Benefits

If you will be utilizing insurance for your child treatment, we will collect the necessary information.

Assessment

One of the most important steps in the admissions process is the assessment. This is where our clinical team.

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Admittance

Once approved for our program, we will schedule an admission date and send you over a welcome packet.

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We Accept Coverage Options and Health Insurance

Meet The Team

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Anthony Fletcher

CEO & Founder
Dr Arlene Hillside Horizon Headshots

Dr. Arlene Waldron

Clinical Director
Jessica F Hillside Horizon Headshots

Jessica Flores

Director of Outreach
Aaron 1 Hillside Horizon

Aaron Earnest

Admissions Manager
Hillside Horizon for Teens FAQ's

The Answers to Your Questions

What Should We Pack?

We recommend bringing comfortable clothing, personal hygiene products, any prescribed medications in their original packaging, and essential documents like ID and insurance information. If applicable, you may also bring a small amount of spending money and a journal for personal reflection. A detailed packing list will be provided upon admission.

For the safety and well-being of all clients, we ask that you leave behind any drugs, alcohol, weapons, or items that may be disruptive to treatment. Electronics, including laptops and certain personal devices, may be restricted based on program guidelines. A complete list of prohibited items will be provided before admission.

Yes, parents or legal guardians are encouraged to be present during the intake process to provide necessary information and support. After intake, our team will discuss the best way for you to stay involved in your child’s treatment. Family participation may also be incorporated into their recovery plan.

Yes, we offer scheduled tours for prospective clients and their families to get a feel for our environment and treatment approach. To arrange a visit, please contact our admissions team in advance. For privacy reasons, some areas may be limited during your tour.

We believe that maintaining a connection with home is vital for a teen’s emotional well-being. While the specific schedule may vary based on your child’s individualized treatment plan, our team works closely with families to establish consistent, structured times for phone calls to ensure you stay updated on their progress.

Yes, family involvement is a cornerstone of our recovery model. We provide regular family therapy sessions, which can be conducted via secure video conferencing (like Zoom) to accommodate busy schedules or families living outside the immediate area, ensuring you are an active participant in your teen’s healing journey.

Absolutely. We encourage parents and legal guardians to be present from the very beginning, starting with the intake process. Beyond therapy, we offer scheduled family participation opportunities and tours to help families rediscover balance and peace of mind in a safe, nurturing environment.

Hillside Horizon for Teens

Reaching out for help is a courageous step, and Hillside Horizon for Teens in California is here to guide adolescents toward recovery from a variety of different mental health challenges. Our compassionate team offers personalized, evidence-based care in a supportive residential setting, incorporating holistic approaches like yoga, art therapy, and equine therapy to address your teen’s unique needs and foster long-term resilience and wellness.

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Don’t wait – contact us today at (855) 746-8378 or visit our Contact Us page to schedule a confidential consultation and begin your family’s journey to a healthier, happier future.

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Providing quality, ethical services for the treatment of adolescent mental health and addiction.

© 2025 Hillside Horizon for Teens. All Rights Reserved.

Katherina M Hillside

Katherine Mendoza

Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN

I began my professional journey in the United States Navy as a Nuclear Engineer where I developed a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and service. Driven by a desire to continue making a meaningful impact, I transitioned into nursing, focusing on providing compassionate care to those in need. Over time, my passion for supporting others led to specialize in mental health, recognizing the vital role it plays in overall well-being. At Hillside Horizon for Teens, I dedicate myself to helping adolescents navigate life’s challenges and build healthier futures. My commitment to fostering growth, resilience, and healing continues to be the cornerstone of my career.

Aaron 1 Hillside Horizon

Aaron Earnest

Admissions Manager

Aaron has been working in the mental health field for over 13 years and has a passion for helping people. Previously he worked with adults for a long time and then realized he may have a greater impact with teens and made the switch a little while ago. He understands the importance of being families first voice they hear at Hillsidie Horizon and takes that role very seriously. Driven by his own issues as a kid, Aaron understands the importance of getting help and how tough the decision can be for families.

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Justin Collins

Program Director

Justin is a seasoned mental health professional with over 15 years of experience empowering adolescents through innovative behavioral health and sports programs. He began his career in Los Angeles as a CIF coach for underprivileged youth, helping lead his team to a CIF football runner-up title. In Murrieta, he took on leadership roles at Oak Grove/Jack Weaver, where he oversaw STRTP and Advanced Autism School Day Programs, managed 20+ staff, and trained teams as a certified CPI instructor. He later held key roles in the Palm Springs Unified School District. Now serving as Program Director at Hillside Horizon, Justin is known for his visionary leadership, commitment to quality care, and passion for transforming young lives.

Victor Hillside Horizon

Victor Hamaker

Program Director

With a strong commitment to supporting individuals with special needs, and at risk youth, I have built a career dedicated to advocacy and behavioral health. My journey began as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in group homes and for the local school district for both adults and adolescents with special needs, behavioral challenges, and at-risk youth. I then transitioned into behavioral health, serving as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) at Hillside Horizon, where I worked closely with at-risk youth and individuals with complex behavioral needs. I later advanced to Lead BHT and then Operations Manager. Currently, as the Program Director at Hillside Horizon, I oversee program development, staff training, and client care, ensuring high-quality services for individuals with behavioral and developmental challenges. Additionally, I support the local school district as a special needs advocate, working to enhance resources and support for students and families.

Jessica F Hillside Horizon Headshots

Jessica Flores

Director of Outreach

Driven from my own personal experience, I have found purpose in what I do in the Behavioral Health field. I started working in the industry over ten years ago as a driver and a tech. I have worked multiple roles and understand the complexities of all levels of care and positions. I continued my education and completed my Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification from Saddleback College and received my bachelor’s degree in Community Advocacy and Social Policy from Arizona State University last May. I am currently the Director of Outreach at Hillside Horizon for Teens. From answering questions about the program to connecting families with resources, I enjoy being apart of our clients journey to healing!

Dr. Arlene Waldron

Clinical Director PsyD, LMFT

Dr. Arlene Waldron is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and our Clinical Director with over fifteen years of experience serving adolescents, children, and families. She holds a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and has led residential, school-based, and community mental health programs with a strong focus on quality care and program development. Dr. Waldron works closely with multidisciplinary teams and community partners to deliver trauma-informed, effective services. A fluent Spanish speaker and motivational leader, Dr. Waldron is deeply committed to the growth and well-being of individuals and families. She believes strong programs create meaningful change and leads Hillside Horizon’s Clinical program with a focus on excellence, accountability, and compassionate care.