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Virtual IOP and OP · Ages 12 to 17 · CaliforniaVirtual care · CAVerify insurance
Telehealth across California
Mental Health Treatment For Teens
We provide online outpatient therapy and virtual IOP for ages 12 to 17 in California. Sessions run Tuesday through Thursday evenings after school, so your teen can keep up with class and join from home.
★ Joint Commission accreditedIn-network with major insuranceCBT · DBT · Family therapyAvailable across CaliforniaConfidential admissions consult
About Mental Health For Teens
A structured program your teen attends from home, after the school day.
Parents call when weekly therapy is not enough. Our virtual IOP and outpatient programs are led by Clinical Director Chandra Medina, LMFT, and delivered by clinicians licensed in California who work with adolescents.
- Ages we treat
- 12 to 17Adolescents only
- Where
- CaliforniaTelehealth statewide, San Diego office
- Accreditation
- Joint CommissionAccredited program
- How we treat
- CBT, DBT, familyIndividual, group, and family therapy
How the program works
Two levels of care, both after school.
At Mental Health For Teens, every teen starts with a free consultation. From there we match them to virtual IOP or outpatient, then change the level if they need more or less structure. Toggle a level to see how a school week looks.
Mon
Mon: no session
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Fri: no session
Level 1 · More structure
Virtual IOPIntensive Outpatient Program
For teens who need more support than weekly therapy, and who can still live at home and go to school.
- 9 to 12 hours a week, Tuesday through Thursday at 5pm, 6pm, or 7pm
- Group, individual, and family therapy
- CBT and DBT skills, with psychiatric consultation when indicated
- Typically 8 to 12 weeks
Who it is for
Conditions we treat in teens ages 12 to 17.
If weekly therapy has not been enough, start with a free consultation. We will tell you if IOP, outpatient, or a referral is the better next step.
Anxiety and panic
Worry, panic, and avoidance that is taking over the day.
Anxiety treatment →Depression and low mood
Sadness, numbness, low self-worth, or a loss of interest that does not lift.
Depression treatment →Trauma and PTSD
Painful experiences that still show up as fear, shutdown, or nightmares.
Trauma treatment →School refusal
When getting to school, or staying there, has become a fight every morning.
School refusal treatment →Social anxiety
Friendships, isolation, and fear of being judged.
Social anxiety treatment →Emotional regulation
Feelings that spike fast and are hard to bring back down.
Emotional regulation →Family conflict
Communication repair, with family sessions built into care.
Family therapy →ADHD and focus
Attention, impulsivity, and the emotions that come with them.
ADHD treatment →Which kind of care?
Weekly therapy, or a structured program?
Weekly therapy is the right level of care for many teens. When symptoms need more structure, a virtual intensive outpatient program adds group, family, and more frequent contact. Compare IOP and outpatient therapy side by side.
Weekly therapy
One clinician, usually one session a week
Structured program or IOP
A coordinated team, several contacts a week
Clinical frequency
Usually one session a week
Structured program
Several contacts a week, based on the level of care
Best suited for
Stable symptoms and ongoing support
Structured program
Symptoms that need more structure than weekly therapy
Family involvement
Varies by provider and plan
Structured program
Family sessions when they help the treatment plan
Group support
May not be included
Structured program
Group is a regular part of IOP
Insurance
Depends on the provider and plan
Structured program
Benefits and authorization checked before enrollment
Progress monitoring
Depends on the provider
Structured program
The team works from one shared treatment plan
Benefits vary. We verify them before enrollment.
Programs are often eligible for coverage when medically necessary. We explain estimated out-of-pocket costs in plain language after a benefits check. Coverage, authorization, and costs vary by plan, medical necessity, and region.
Insurance and admissions
We verify your benefits before you enroll.
We're in-network with most major California plans. Before you commit to anything, we check your benefits and tell you what care is likely to cost, in plain language. Coverage depends on the plan and medical necessity. Read about paying for teen IOP.
In-network with
AetnaCignaOptumBlue Shield of CAMagellan+ more
Don't see your plan? We also work out of network and can provide superbills. Ask during the consultation and we will explain how that works.
Meet the clinicians
A clinical team that works with teens and their families.
Many teens arrive skeptical, guarded, or tired of explaining themselves. We match each family with clinicians who treat adolescents and know how to work over video. Clinical Director Chandra Medina, LMFT, leads the program. Meet the clinical leadership or explore our clinical approach.
Parent & teen stories
What families have said about this program.
Parents and teens who completed care at Mental Health For Teens shared these notes, with permission.
“For the first time in a year, our daughter looked forward to something. The virtual groups gave her a place to belong.”
Parent of a 16-year-old, San Diego, Virtual IOP
“I didn't have to miss work or pull her out of school. Care fit into our lives, and she finally started talking again.”
Parent of a 15-year-old, North County, Outpatient
“My therapist actually got me. I learned how to handle the spirals instead of drowning in them.”
Program graduate, age 17, Virtual IOP
Stories shared with written permission. Language lightly edited. Names withheld. Individual experiences, not outcome guarantees.
Read more family reviewsQuestions parents ask
Virtual IOP, insurance, and how soon you can start.
Straight answers about care at Mental Health For Teens, including virtual IOP, outpatient therapy, insurance, and how soon your family can start.
Telehealth can be effective for many adolescents when the level of care, home environment, privacy, and safety needs are appropriate. Before enrollment, our clinical team evaluates whether virtual care is a suitable fit for your teen. We refer families to in-person or higher levels of care when home-based treatment would not be appropriate. Compare virtual IOP and outpatient care.
We're in-network with most major California plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Blue Shield of California and more. Coverage depends on the plan and medical necessity. We'll verify your benefits before you commit to anything.
The first conversation is with our admissions team. It is not a clinical evaluation. If you move forward, a licensed clinician completes the clinical assessment. Level of care is based on symptoms, safety, and how much structure your teen needs. Compare virtual IOP and outpatient.
In IOP, teens join Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for group and individual sessions at 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm PT, about 9 to 12 hours total. Outpatient is lighter: one to three sessions in those same evening windows. See how virtual IOP works for a closer look.
Yes. We are based in San Diego, and virtual programs are available to teens anywhere in California when the teen is physically in the state for sessions. Our San Diego address is an administrative office, and patients are not seen on site.
Many families can begin within five to seven business days when virtual care is clinically appropriate, program capacity is available, and insurance authorization is complete. Start with our admissions overview or speak with admissions.
Guides & articles
Guides for parents considering treatment.
Articles and parent guides on virtual IOP, teen anxiety, depression, and how care starts.
Latest from the blog
- Guides10 min read
Should I Force My Teen to Go to Therapy?
If your teen's safety is at risk, get them seen right away. For everyday resistance, ask for one first appointment and let your teen help choose the details.
- Guides10 min read
Worst Habit for Anxiety: Why Avoidance Keeps Teens Stuck
Avoidance often keeps teen anxiety going, and loving parents can end up feeding it without meaning to. Here's what to ease first and when weekly therapy isn't enough.
- Education10 min read
Why Is My 16 Year Old Son Depressed? What Parents Can Do
Irritability, sleep changes, and pulling away from friends can all be signs of depression in a 16-year-old boy.
Parent guides
Parent guide to teen mental health treatment
What to expect, how to advocate, and when to seek more support.
Signs your teen may need therapy
Common warning signs parents notice, and what to do next.
What is IOP for teens?
How intensive outpatient programs work and who they help.
IOP vs. outpatient therapy
Compare structure, hours, and cost for your family.
Getting started
Speak with admissions
A confidential call with admissions to understand your teen and answer questions. It is not a clinical evaluation.
Assessment and benefits
If you move forward, a licensed clinician completes the assessment. We match the level of care and verify your insurance benefits.
Start virtually
Many families can begin within five to seven business days when virtual care is clinically appropriate, program capacity is available, and insurance authorization is complete.
Free consultation
Talk with admissions about your teen.
Reach out to Mental Health For Teens for a free, confidential consultation. We will listen, answer your questions, and tell you the next step, even if that step is not this program. You can also review our admissions process anytime.