When a teen is struggling, it can feel overwhelming for parents and caregivers to know what to do next. Concerns about school, behavior changes, emotional outbursts, or withdrawal can leave families unsure how serious the situation is—or what level of mental health care is actually needed.

At Vitalize Behavioral Health, our approach to adolescent mental health in Fresno is built around clarity, compassion, and collaboration. We provide specialized care for teens across higher levels of mental health treatment, while ensuring families remain informed, supported, and actively involved throughout the process.

Get the support your family needs by scheduling a confidential assessment with our adolescent care team.

A Thoughtful Start With Assessment

Every teen’s care begins with a comprehensive evaluation through our admissions process. Research consistently shows that early, accurate assessment improves outcomes for mental health conditions in adolescents, especially when symptoms affect daily life, school performance, or relationships.

Our admissions team looks at the full picture of your child’s mental health—emotional symptoms, stressors, strengths, family dynamics, and safety concerns—to recommend the most appropriate level of care. This helps ensure each teen receives a treatment plan that matches their actual needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

IOP and PHP Designed Specifically for Teens

Vitalize offers thoughtfully designed programs for adolescents who need more support than weekly therapy alone can provide. Our teen IOP and PHP services address the reality that teen brains are still developing and often require structured, skills-based support to regulate emotions and behavior.

Teen Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program IOP typically includes group sessions, individual therapy, and skill building several days per week. IOP is often effective for teens managing anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges who can still attend school and function at home with added support.

Teen Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

A partial hospitalization program provides full-day treatment for teens experiencing more severe symptoms, a recent mental health crisis, or difficulty functioning safely. PHP allows teens to receive intensive care during the day while returning to their home environment each evening—supporting stability without full residential placement.

Both programs emphasize emotional regulation, coping skills, peer connection, and safety within a structured healing environment.

Families Are Essential Partners in Treatment

Evidence shows that family involvement significantly improves outcomes in adolescent behavioral health care. Teens do better when caregivers understand what’s happening, how to respond, and how to support progress outside of sessions.

At Vitalize, families are included through:

• Regular updates from the care team
• Family sessions focused on education and alignment
• Guidance to strengthen communication and reduce conflict
• Support for parents and caregivers navigating stress and uncertainty

This approach supports the whole family, helping teens feel supported rather than isolated during treatment.

Evidence-Based, Skills-Focused Care

Our programs are built on evidence based therapies shown to improve outcomes for youth facing mental illness, including mood disorders, eating disorders, and concerns related to substance use.

Treatment includes:

• Group therapy to build peer connection and normalize experiences
• Individual therapy tailored to each teen’s needs
• Psychiatric care and medication management when appropriate
• Skill-building for coping strategies, stress management, and emotional awareness
• Experiential activities that help teens practice skills in real-world scenarios

These approaches help teens build practical skills they can use beyond treatment, supporting long term mental wellness.

Supporting Teens in Real Life, Not Just in Sessions

Higher levels of care aren’t meant to remove teens from life—they’re designed to help them function better within it. Skills learned in IOP and PHP are intentionally practiced in daily life, at home, and eventually at school or work.

As part of youth behavioral care serving the Central Valley, our programs focus on preparing teens for what comes next—not just managing symptoms in the moment.

Planning for transitions after treatment ends is built into care from the start, helping teens maintain progress and continue growing.

Why Families Choose Vitalize

Families choose Vitalize because we offer:

• Specialized care for adolescents and youth
• Clear guidance around treatment options
• A safe space where teens feel respected
• Ongoing communication with caregivers
• Personalized care and personalized support
• Programs that support success at home, at school, and socially

We understand that supporting teens means supporting families, too.

Support for Your Teen Starts Here

If your loved one is struggling and you’re unsure what level of care is appropriate, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team is here to help families access care, understand options, and move forward with confidence.

Contact Vitalize Behavioral Health to learn more about our adolescent programs and how we support teens, parents, and caregivers through higher levels of care in Fresno.