About Our Programs
What ages do you treat? We treat adolescents ages 12 to 17. Every aspect of our programming — clinical curriculum, group dynamics, and therapeutic approach — is designed specifically for this age group.
What mental health conditions do you treat? We treat a range of adolescent mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety (generalized, social, and separation), emotional dysregulation, self-harm, trauma-related concerns, school refusal, and other mood and behavioral challenges. Our approach is integrative and evidence-based, built on Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and experiential work.
What conditions do you NOT treat? We are a mental health–primary program. We do not treat teens whose primary diagnosis is a substance use disorder, an eating disorder requiring medical monitoring, or an intellectual/developmental disability. If substance use or disordered eating is present alongside a primary mental health condition, we evaluate on a case-by-case basis during the admissions assessment. If we’re not the right fit, we’re always glad to help connect your family with a program that is.
What is the difference between PHP and IOP? Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a full-day program, five days a week (Monday–Friday), for teens who need intensive, daily treatment but can return home afterward each day. PHP includes a psychiatric evaluation with our Medical Director and ongoing medication management as needed. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a lighter level of care — 3 hours a day, 3 days a week — for teens who need more support than weekly therapy but can continue attending school. Both programs include individual, group, and family therapy.
How do you decide which level of care my teen needs? Every family begins with a free admissions assessment conducted by a licensed clinician, which includes validated measures of depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, and trauma. Based on the results, our clinical team recommends the level of care — PHP, IOP, or outpatient therapy — that best fits your teen.
Can my teen still attend school during treatment? Yes, in IOP — it’s scheduled around the school day, so teens keep attending classes. In PHP, teens attend our program during the day; we coordinate with your teen’s school to support continuity and the transition back to full-time school as they step down.
What does treatment look like day to day? Days are structured around skill-building groups, process groups, individual therapy, and family therapy, with therapeutic activities woven throughout. Teens build real, lasting skills they can use outside the program.
What is DBT-A? Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is an evidence-based therapy adapted specifically for teens. It teaches four core skill sets: mindfulness (staying present), distress tolerance (getting through a crisis without making it worse), emotion regulation (understanding and managing intense feelings), and interpersonal effectiveness (communicating needs and navigating relationships). Our program is aligned with DBT-A, so these skills are practiced throughout treatment, not just in therapy sessions.
How long does treatment last? On average, teens stay in PHP about 4 to 6 weeks and in IOP about 8 to 12 weeks. Every teen is assessed weekly to evaluate progress and readiness to step down. Some move faster, some need more time — length is always driven by clinical need, not a fixed schedule.
What happens after my teen completes the program? Teens typically step down gradually — from PHP to IOP, and from IOP to outpatient therapy — which prevents the “cliff effect” of going from intensive treatment to nothing. Our team coordinates with your teen’s outpatient therapist, or helps you find one, to ensure continuity of care.
Do you involve parents and families in treatment? Yes — family involvement is a core part of our model, not an add-on. Every teen in PHP and IOP receives family therapy each week, and parents learn the same skills their teens are learning, so your household builds a shared language for managing emotions and conflict. Research consistently shows that family involvement improves outcomes in adolescent mental health treatment.
Admissions
How do I get started? Call us at (832) 376-5129, fill out the contact form on our website, or visit the Admissions tab at centerforteens.com to complete our pre-screener. The pre-screener gathers helpful information upfront and streamlines the process. Our admissions coordinator responds the same day to inquiries (next business day for after-hours, weekends, and holidays).
What is the admissions assessment? It’s a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a licensed clinician. We meet with your teen and family, administer evidence-based screening measures, discuss your concerns, and develop a clinical picture — then recommend a level of care. The assessment is free and carries no obligation to enroll.
How quickly can my teen start? We move quickly on our end. Once we’ve verified your benefits and completed the assessment to determine the right level of care, we’ll guide you through everything needed to get started. From there, how soon your teen begins is largely up to your family — once that’s in place and you’re ready, we can typically begin as soon as the next day.
Do I need a referral from my teen’s therapist or doctor? No — families can self-refer. Many families also come through referrals from therapists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and school counselors, and we welcome coordination with your teen’s existing providers.
What if my teen doesn’t want to come? This is common, and it doesn’t mean treatment won’t work. Resistance is often a symptom of the condition itself — depression saps motivation, anxiety makes new situations feel threatening. Our team is experienced in engaging reluctant teens. We encourage parents to bring their teen to the assessment even if they’re hesitant; once they see the environment and meet the staff, most teens engage.
Ready to take the first step? Complete our pre-admission form and our team will follow up.
Insurance & Cost
What insurance do you accept? We are in-network with United Healthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Curative. For other carriers, we work with out-of-network benefits. We verify your benefits for free before you commit to anything. We file all claims on your behalf.
What does “out-of-network” mean for my cost? Many plans include out-of-network benefits, meaning your insurer covers a portion of treatment. Your actual out-of-pocket amount depends on your plan’s OON deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum. Every plan is different, so we run a free verification of benefits (VOB) before treatment starts to give you the clearest picture of your coverage.
Will you tell me exactly what I’ll owe? We can give you a strong estimate based on your VOB, but the exact amount can’t be confirmed until claims are processed — your insurer assigns an “allowed amount” for each service, which isn’t final until then. We’ll always be transparent about what we know and what still depends on your insurer’s determination.
Do you file insurance claims for me? Yes — we file all claims on your behalf, so you don’t have to deal with the paperwork.
Do you offer payment plans? Yes. Depending on your circumstances, we may be able to set up a payment schedule that works for your family.
What if I have an HMO or no out-of-network benefits? If your plan has no OON benefits, we can request a single-case agreement (SCA) — a one-time negotiated arrangement for your teen’s specific care. Approval isn’t guaranteed and typically depends on documented medical necessity and a lack of comparable in-network options, but we have experience navigating the process and will advocate for your family.
What if I don’t have insurance? Our self-pay rate is $350 per day for IOP and $700 per day for PHP.
Do you accept Medicaid? We do not currently accept Medicaid
About Center for Teens
What makes CFT different? Three things. First, we treat only adolescents, ages 12 to 17 — we’re not an adult program that accepts teens, and not a general behavioral health center. Second, we’re mental health–primary; we don’t mix mental health and substance use patients in the same treatment setting, which research on peer influence suggests matters for outcomes. Third, we’re a warm, non-institutional program in Sugar Land — intentionally designed to feel comfortable, because teens open up more when they feel safe.
Are you a hospital? No. We’re an outpatient program at First Colony Commons in Sugar Land — a regular commercial plaza, not a hospital or medical campus. There are no hospital corridors, no shared waiting rooms with adult patients, and no institutional atmosphere. Teens often tell us it doesn’t feel like a “treatment facility,” and that’s intentional.
Are you a substance use or dual-diagnosis program? No. We’re a mental health–primary program specializing in adolescent depression, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and related conditions. If a teen’s primary concern is substance use, we refer to programs that specialize in that area.
Who is on your clinical team? Our team is led by Clinical Director Victoria Adeyemi and Medical Director Dr. Aaron Peterson, and includes licensed therapists with specialized training in adolescent mental health. Under Dr. Peterson’s direction, PHP patients receive a psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management as part of their treatment plan. Every staff member is trained in our treatment model to ensure a consistent experience.
Where are you located? Center for Teens is at 15263 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77478, in First Colony Commons. We serve families across Fort Bend County and the greater Houston area.
How do I reach you? Call (832) 376-5129, email info@centerforteens.com, or fill out the contact form at centerforteens.com. Our admissions coordinator will respond promptly.
Crisis Resources
What if my teen is in immediate danger? If your teen is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. You can also reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24/7, or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Center for Teens is not an emergency or crisis stabilization facility — if your teen is actively in crisis, please use emergency services first. Once stabilized, we can help with the next step in their care.
Ready to take the first step?
Complete our pre-admission form and our team will follow up.
Prefer to just ask a question first?
The best way to get answers specific to your teen is to talk with our admissions team. Reach out here or call (832) 376-5129.