Who We Treat:

Teenagers (ages 12-17)

Empowering Teens for Sustainable Recovery: Our Approach at Paradigm Treatment: Since our inception in 2012, Paradigm Treatment has been dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized residential treatment for teenagers (12-17 in Malibu, CA and San Rafael, CA, 13-17 in Austin, TX). Unlike traditional teen treatments that were predominantly punitive, focusing on behavior modification, we believe in fostering lasting change by addressing the root mental and emotional health issues.

Our Philosophy: At Paradigm, we recognize that behaviors often manifest as negative coping skills, developed in response to underlying struggles with anxiety, depression, trauma, and low self-esteem. Our approach goes beyond surface-level symptoms to find and address the core issues driving the behavior. We place an emphasis on emotional regulation and improving communication skills, believing that understanding and addressing core issues prevents the development of new negative coping skills.

Table of Contents

Our Admissions Team is here to help.

Our Clients: The adolescents we serve are intelligent and capable, yet they often use these skills to manipulate as a means to externally manage their emotions. Our relational approach aims to align with our clients, helping them recognize that we are here to support, not punish them. We avoid point or level-based systems that reward behavioral changes superficially and place an emphasis in addressing the deeper mental and emotional health issues that drive the behaviors.

Adapting to a Changing World: Today’s teens navigate a complex landscape, vastly different from that of previous generations. The rapid development of technology, in particular cell phones, social media, and the internet has accelerated their exposure to the world. Larger issues such as global warming and social inequalities weigh heavily on the younger generations. As a result, teens are growing up faster than ever. Paradigm Treatment has evolved alongside these changes, tailoring our programs to address the contemporary challenges faced by teenagers.

Tailored Treatment Plans: Every teen’s treatment looks different at Paradigm Treatment Center, which is something we pride ourselves in. While every experience is unique, our commitment to addressing the specific mental health needs of each adolescent remains constant.

Therapeutic Approach: In therapy, our therapists strive to help teens address what they’re experiencing, such as symptoms, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, as well as the underlying habits and beliefs that may exist, beneath the surface. Our therapists are dedicated to helping teens understand, confront, and sometimes accept their mental health challenges.

Medication Management: Navigating medication is another critical aspect of mental health treatment. While medication should never be the first resort, it is an important piece that must be addressed. At Paradigm, we closely monitor and adjust medications as needed. Our program psychiatrist will consult with parents before making any medication changes. Whether a teen is continuing medication or starting a new regimen, our goal is to provide comprehensive support, for the entire family, throughout their stay.

Family Integration: Our work with each teen includes their family. We know how challenging it is, as a parent, when your child is in crisis. We engage parents in individual and family sessions to offer support, acknowledge their experiences, and guide them in effectively supporting their teen. Our Parent Effectiveness training equips parents with the tools and communication strategies needed to foster a supportive environment.

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Lucy Nguyen, LMFT( Clinical Reviewer )

Lucy Nguyen is the Executive Director at Paradigm Treatment, overseeing all clinical treatment programs across the organization’s southwestern region. Her extensive experience includes working with young adults in private practice, serving as a therapist for children and teens with emotional and behavioral needs, and acting as a behavior interventionist for teens with developmental disorders. Lucy integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches with mindfulness and compassion in her work, and she is also EMDR-trained. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.