Conditions We Treat at Ascend Healthcare

Ascend Healthcare provides diagnostic-specific residential and outpatient treatment for adolescents ages 12–17 across 8 core condition areas, delivered through 13 specialized programs in Southern California and Erie, Colorado. Every program pairs clinical treatment with a minimum of 5–6 hours of weekly family programming, so families are active participants in care, not bystanders to it.

If your teen is in crisis, call Ascend’s 24/7 line at 310-388-3713, or call or text 988 to reach the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Ascend decide which program is right for my teen?

Admissions conducts a clinical assessment to match your teen’s primary and co-occurring conditions to the program best suited to their needs, considering age, gender-specific programming where relevant, and level of care.

What if my teen has more than one of these conditions?

Many Ascend programs are built for co-occurring conditions — Empress House and Ascend Boulders both treat substance use alongside mental health conditions together, rather than treating one and waiting to address the other.

Do all conditions require residential treatment?

No. Many conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use, are also treated at Ascend’s outpatient (PHP/IOP) locations and through the statewide Virtual IOP for teens who don’t need — or are stepping down from — residential care.

Substance Abuse

Teen substance use frequently occurs alongside an underlying mental health condition, which is why Ascend treats both together rather than one after the other.

Treated at: Empress House • Ascend Boulders — dual-diagnosis track at Pasadena, Agoura Hills, Culver City, and Virtual IOP

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety and depression often show up together in teens and can affect mood, energy, sleep, and connection to school and friends.

Treated at: Magnolia House • Ascend Boulders — primary mental health track at Pasadena, Agoura Hills, and Culver City

Teen Trauma Disorders

Trauma-focused care addresses PTSD and other trauma responses, including grief, loss, divorce, and adoption-related experiences, matched to the type and complexity of what a teen has been through.

Treated at: Canyons House (girls) • Trails House (boys) • Willows House (complex trauma, grief & family rupture) • Ascend Boulders — all outpatient locations: Pasadena, Agoura Hills, Culver City

Teen Neurodivergent Disorders

Care for autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental profiles, built around each teen’s specific needs.

Treated at: Haven House — neurodiverse track at Pasadena

Disordered Eating

Support for teens whose primary diagnosis is a mental health condition with secondary disordered eating behaviors.

Treated at: Kallos House — eating disorder track at Pasadena

OCD & Related Disorders

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the leading evidence-based approach for OCD, delivered in a residential setting.

Treated at: Oaks House — all outpatient locations: Pasadena, Agoura Hills, Culver City

Self-Harm & Suicidal Ideation

Residential support addresses the underlying depression, anxiety, or trauma driving self-harm behaviors or suicidal thoughts.

If your teen is in immediate danger, call 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Treated at: Magnolia House

LGBTQ+ Mental Health

Affirming support for LGBTQ+ teens navigating identity alongside depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.