The Oaks facility at Ascend is designed to provide a short-term intensive treatment program with comprehensive stabilization that focuses on complex manifestations of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and anxiety disorders. At this facility, we work with adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 through a multidimensional framework that aims to holistically address their unique needs. Our goal is to foster sustainable recovery and improved quality of life. Learn more about our anxiety interventions and OCD treatment for teens by exploring the overview below.
Our Approach at Oaks
We use several therapeutic modalities at Oaks to harness the power of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), as well as ACT, MBCT, and DBT with a focus on helping teens with anxiety. All of these modalities are seamlessly woven into our treatment plans for a more holistic, multidimensional approach to symptom management. Here is an overview of how we use these treatment modalities:
- ERP Integration: This therapy plays a central role in our approach to anxiety interventions for teens, as it ensures adolescents in our care receive personalized exposure therapy in a supportive, structured environment. ERP may include readiness assessments, individual sessions, and community outings.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Another cornerstone of our clinical approach, we utilize ACT in individual and group therapy sessions to emphasize acceptance of unwanted thoughts and emotions. Through ACT, our OCD treatment for teens fosters mindfulness to mitigate the negative effects of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.
- Nature-Inspired Interventions: This part of our program is unique to Oaks and involves eco-psychology interventions to reduce stress, improve mood, and provide additional tools for managing OCD and anxiety symptoms. Eco-psychology may include gardening, outdoor walks, and mindfulness exercises in a natural setting.
- Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT): Studies show there is significant healing potential in human-animal interactions, so we incorporate trained therapy animals into our approach to foster emotional expression, promote relaxation, provide nonjudgemental support, and enhance therapeutic alliance between clients and therapists.
- Family-Centered Care: We recognize the importance of the family system throughout the treatment process. Our family program integrates specialized sessions aimed at supporting parents and caregivers in learning about and managing OCD within the family system. We provide parent skills and education groups to increase awareness and empower caregivers to support adolescents in their recovery journey.
- Medication Management: We incorporate comprehensive and individualized medication management into the Oaks program. Adolescents receive weekly medication management sessions with qualified healthcare professionals, including psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Genesight testing helps guide medication selection based on individual genetic makeup, while nursing support ensures safe and effective medication administration and coordination of care.
- Creative Arts Program: Our team encourages the exploration of personal interests through “Passion Projects” in every treatment program. The Creative Arts Program encompasses photography, painting, working with clay, videography, music, and digital arts as therapeutic outlets to round out our curriculum of anxiety and OCD treatment for teens.
Education at Oaks
In addition to our clinical program and OCD treatment for teens, we provide academic support with three hours of schooling every weekday. Academic coaches assist families in determining the most suitable educational path for their child, including collaboration with the child’s school of record or enrollment in an accredited online learning program.
Amenities at Oaks
We’ve designed our anxiety and OCD treatment for teens to be as nurturing as possible to provide a safe space for teens to learn and grow. Some of the amenities you can expect at Oaks include:
- An onsite chef who caters to specific dietary requirements and nutritional needs
- Experiential therapy opportunities, including hiking, gardening, eco-therapy, and sports
- State-of-the-art sensory tools to increase stabilization and emotional regulation
- 24-hour care and monitoring by onsite staff throughout the day and night
- Shared room
- Outdoor BBQ and interior lounge spaces
- Full classroom with all necessary supplies and equipment
We also offer intensive aftercare planning for a smooth transition back into the family system post-treatment.
Admission For The Oaks Program
Does the Oaks program sound like a place that can support your family? If you’re interested in helping your teens with anxiety or OCD, our admissions team can help you start the process. Check your insurance coverage to determine eligibility for financial support before reaching out to our team at 310.388.3713 to learn more.