Adolescent PTSD Treatment Program
Located in Atlanta, Skyland Trail offers residential psychiatric treatment and day treatment (PHP) for teens ages 14 to 17 with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Our program offers a unique combination of specialized treatment for PTSD in addition to individual, group, and family therapy focused on co-occurring symptoms of depression, anxiety, and emerging borderline personality disorder traits.
Our adolescent PTSD program combines:
- prolonged exposure therapy (PE)
- dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- family therapy
- medication management (if applicable)
- recreational therapy
- art, music, and horticultural therapy
- academic services
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Teen PTSD
Teens with PTSD admitting to our adolescent residential treatment program may be referred by our psychiatrist to participate in individual prolonged exposure therapy (PE) as part of their treatment.
Prolonged exposure therapy may be particularly helpful for clients who have trauma-related symptoms that prevent them from fully engaging in foundational CBT or DBT therapeutic work.
The goal of PE is to reduce the power of the memory of the traumatic event over time. With less potency, the memory becomes less disruptive, and the patient is better able to engage more fully in treatment to address other psychiatric symptoms and improve coping and interpersonal skills.
Prolonged exposure therapy involves a series of 8 to 12 individual 90-minute sessions. Imaginal sessions with the therapist involve talking about the memory, recording the memory, listening to the recording, and other techniques. In vivo exposure sessions help the patient gradually navigate real-world scenarios related to their specific traumatic experience in a safe and supportive environment.
The Skyland Trail adolescent clinical team receives training in prolonged exposure therapy through the Prolonged Exposure Consultant Training Program at Emory University School of Medicine.
Addressing Trauma-related Psychiatric Symptoms Through DBT and CBT
For teen patients with a history of trauma who do not meet criteria for PE or who do not choose to participate in PE, Skyland Trail helps teens address trauma-related psychiatric symptoms through DBT and CBT group and individual sessions. Teens with PTSD who engage in PE also benefit from skill-based CBT and DBT groups and weekly one-on-one therapeutic sessions.
Patients learn skills to help address thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are being driven by an unhealthy response to trauma. Patients receive support to regain a sense of self worth and to use their agency to affect change in their lives so they feel less powerless.
Adolescent Residential Treatment for PTSD
Adolescents ages 14 to 17 entering the residential treatment program admit to the J. Rex Fuqua Campus. The J. Rex Fuqua Campus includes 26 units bedrooms and private bathrooms. Teens participate in a structured daily structure including evidence-based therapy, academic instruction, and expressive therapies like art and music therapy.
Our teen PTSD program helps adolescents with trauma:
- Build coping and emotional regulation skills
- Reprocess traumatic memories in a safe, supportive environment
- Re-engage with school and social life
- Involve family in the healing process
- Develop a sense of identity and empowerment
We understand that trauma doesn’t define a young person—but how they’re supported afterward can shape their recovery. We’re here to help teens find stability, connection, and a path forward.
The average length of stay in our adolescent residential trauma treatment program is 12 weeks. Many clients then step down to our day treatment, or partial hospitalization program (PHP), level of care for an additional 4 to 6 weeks.
Adolescent PHP Treatment for PTSD
Depending on clinical presentation, some clients may admit directly to our day treatment, or partial hospitalization program (PHP), level of care. The average length of stay for clients who admit directly to PHP is 6 to 10 weeks.
Clients in day treatment live at home and come to our J. Rex Fuqua Campus for adolescents 5 days a week, Monday through Friday, from about 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM daily.
Residential and PHP clients share the same treatment team, peer group, and treatment schedule. Individual and family therapy work is specialized to help teens focus on using skills in "real world" settings.
Family Therapy for Teens with PTSD
Family programming ensures that while teens are learning new skills and making changes to support a healthy future, families also are adjusting. Family members may need to redefine their typical roles within the family system. Family therapy also helps parents and other caregivers provide appropriate space and support for their loved one to effectively use and practice skills and transition to becoming a more independent young adult.
Families enrolled in the adolescent PTSD program at the residential or PHP level of care are required to participate in family therapy at least once each week and to attend the weekly family education program.
Insurance & Fees for Adolescent PTSD Treatment
Most Skyland Trail clients used a combination of private insurance benefits, private pay, and financial aid (if eligible) to cover the full costs of the teen PTSD treatment program. Skyland Trail adolescent residential and PHP program are in-network with many plans offered by major private insurance providers. Learn more about in-network insurance, private pay fees, and financial aid availability.
Intake Process for Teen PTSD Treatment Program
Teens seeking admission to our residential or PHP treatment programs for adolescents with PTSD complete a psychosocial assessment to ensure they are matched with the appropriate level of care and treatment plan. We review information from patients, families, schools, and treatment providers to get a full picture of the client's strengths, challenges, and treatment goals. We welcome referrals from health professionals and schools as well as direct inquiries from families. To take the next step, please contact our admissions team.
PTSD Symptoms in Teenagers
Trauma symptoms vary by developmental stage. Here's how trauma can show up for adolescents:
- Self-harm or substance use
- Risky or impulsive behavior
- Difficulty trusting others
- Declining school performance
- Wearing oversized clothing to hide the body
- Avoidance of specific people or situations
- Emotional numbness
- Increased crying spells or anger outbursts
- Eating a lot more or less than usual
Teens may be hesitant to disclose or talk about a trauma because of a fear of being judged or dismissed or feelings of shame, guilt, or avoidance related to the trauma.
One of the most important predictors of recovery is how a caregiver responds to a trauma disclosure. Supportive, informed caregivers can make a profound difference in a teen’s healing journey.
Trauma vs PTSD
Not every distressing event qualifies as trauma. According to the DSM-5, trauma is defined as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This can occur through:
- Direct experience
- Witnessing a traumatic event
- Learning that a traumatic event happened to a loved one
- Repeated exposure to details of traumatic events (e.g., first responders)
While traumatic experiences are common, not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). According to the APA, PTSD is defined by four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal. In effect, for teenagers with PTSD, trauma-related symtpoms are prolonged and are negatively impacting their relationships, school performance, interest and engagement in activities, and/or physical health.
For people who do develop PTSD, evidence-based treatment can highly effective and life-changing. Psychological testing can help the patient, family, and treatment team determine the role of trauma in a patient’s presentation, as well as the role of other diagnoses or challenges.