Teen Mental Health Treatment Options
Outpatient programs, therapy, and evidence-based care for teens in Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and San Mateo County.
Or Call 650-507-3888
Finding the Right Level of Care for Your Teen
Every teen’s mental health journey is unique. At Guide Behavioral Health, we offer a range of outpatient programs and therapy options tailored to meet teens where they are—emotionally, academically, and developmentally.
Whether your teen needs weekly support or more intensive care, we’re here to help them find the right path forward. Our programs are designed to promote healing while keeping teens connected to family, school, and community.
Get started today to schedule a consultation and learn which option is the best fit for your teen.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP offers structured, after-school therapy for teens who need more support than weekly sessions, but who are still able to attend school.
3–4 days per week, after school
Group therapy, individual therapy, and family check-ins
Focused on building emotional regulation, coping skills, and peer connection
Learn more about our Intensive Outpatient Program.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
PHP is a full-day therapeutic program for teens who need a higher level of care or a temporary break from school.
Monday–Friday, full-day structure
Daily individual and group therapy, academic support
Best for teens experiencing intense anxiety, depression, trauma, or crisis
Explore our Partial Hospitalization Program for more details.
After-School Therapy Interventions
Not every teen needs a full IOP or PHP program. We also offer more flexible after-school therapy options for teens with mild to moderate symptoms.
These sessions are ideal for teens experiencing:
Academic stress and perfectionism
Technology or social media dependency
Social anxiety or emotional overwhelm
Therapy Approaches We Use
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps teens recognize unhelpful thought patterns and learn how to reframe them in healthier ways. It’s effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, and academic pressure. Learn more about how we use CBT and other therapy methods.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP is the gold-standard therapy for OCD. It helps teens gradually face fears and stop the cycle of compulsions. Visit our Teen OCD Treatment page to learn how ERP works in practice.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT teaches teens how to regulate emotions, tolerate distress, and build better relationships. It’s especially helpful for teens experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harm. We use DBT throughout our self-harm and suicidal ideation programs.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness helps teens manage stress, slow down racing thoughts, and feel more grounded in their daily lives.
It’s particularly useful for teens dealing with academic stress, perfectionism, and technology dependency. Explore our full approach to mindfulness-based therapy.
Conditions We Treat
Our treatment team works with teens facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral health challenges, including:
Serving Menlo Park, Palo Alto, and San Mateo County
Guide Behavioral Health is located in Menlo Park and serves families across:
Palo Alto
Redwood City
San Mateo County
Mountain View
Los Altos
Our programs are outpatient only, so your teen can stay connected to home, school, and family while getting the care they need. Visit our Menlo Park location to learn more.
Let’s Build a Plan That Works for Your Teen
No two teens are the same—and their treatment shouldn’t be either. Whether your teen needs weekly sessions or full-day support, our team is here to guide your family through every step.
FAQ: Answers to Common Questions About Teen Treatment Options
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Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides after-school therapy 3–4 days a week, allowing teens to stay in school while receiving structured support. The partial hospitalization program (PHP) is more intensive, offering full-day care five days a week for teens who need additional stability before stepping down to a lighter level of care. Visit our IOP and PHP pages to learn more about which option may be right for your teen.
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That’s exactly what we’re here to help you figure out. During your consultation, our clinical team will assess your teen’s symptoms, stressors, and daily functioning. From there, we’ll recommend the appropriate program—whether it’s IOP, PHP, or a more flexible therapy plan. Visit our get started page to begin the intake process.
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Yes. Many teens struggle with co-occurring concerns such as anxiety and OCD, or depression and academic stress. Our treatment plans are personalized to each teen’s needs and may combine multiple therapy approaches like CBT, mindfulness, and DBT. You can learn more about how we tailor care on our CBT and therapy methods page.
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Absolutely. Our IOP is built around the school day so your teen can continue classes while receiving after-school support. Even in PHP, we work with families to coordinate schoolwork, and we help teens transition back to the classroom with confidence. Learn more about how we integrate academic support on our academic stress page.
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It’s common for teens to feel resistant or unsure at first. That’s why we focus on building rapport and using collaborative, strength-based approaches like TEAM-CBT and DBT. We meet teens where they are—emotionally and developmentally—to make therapy approachable and empowering. For teens hesitant about treatment, mindfulness can be a great starting point.
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Our outpatient treatment center is located in Menlo Park, and we serve families from Palo Alto, San Mateo County, Redwood City, Los Altos, and surrounding areas. Learn more about our Menlo Park location and the communities we serve.
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Visit our get started page or call us at 650-507-3888 to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you navigate insurance, walk you through the intake process, and match your teen with the right program and therapist.