Teen Outpatient Mental Health Program

ASPIRE is an 8‑week intensive outpatient program that meets four afternoons per week, providing teens with essential coping strategies and social‑emotional skill development at a critical time: right after school. The program is delivered in a structured, interactive classroom setting that emphasizes skills acquisition, psychoeducation, and collaborative participation.

When your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, choosing the right care can feel overwhelming, but Hoag's ASPIRE program offers the comprehensive, evidence-based support your family needs during this critical time. ASPIRE is specifically designed for teens aged 12-18 facing mental health disorders and substance abuse challenges. Hoag's ASPIRE is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), demonstrating the program's commitment to the highest educational and clinical standards. Most importantly, ASPIRE doesn't just treat your teen; it includes comprehensive family programming, recognizing that healing happens best when the entire family is supported, educated, and empowered to move forward together toward lasting wellness and resilience.

If your teen is isolating, emotionally overwhelmed, falling behind in school, or feeling hopeless — you are not alone. For those teens best served at a specialized program with peers, ASPIRE might be right for your teen.

ASPIRE supports adolescents ages 12–18 who are dealing with:

• Depression & anxiety

• Overwhelming loneliness or loss of human connection

• ADHD & mood dysregulation

• Trauma, grief & loss

• Oppositional behavior or self-injury

• Emotional and identity challenges related to adoption

• OCD or other mental health-related symptoms

We also support parents who feel frustrated, helpless, or unsure of what to do next. Our process ensures parents are learning the same communication skills we teach teens for lessons to be practiced at home, beyond our educational environment.

ASPIRE is an 8-week resiliency outpatient program that meets four afternoons per week, helping teens develop essential coping strategies and social-emotional skills when they need it most — right after school. This is an interactive, educational classroom setting designed to be collaborative. This program is not group therapy; it’s educational skill coaching.

• Program Schedule: Mondays–Thursdays: 3:30–6:30 PM Fridays: 3:30–5:30 PM (Parents join from 4:30–5:30 PM)

• Accredited education component: Earn 5 high school elective credits from 7 Orange County school districts

• Evidence-based therapy: Group sessions using DBT and CBT

• Multidisciplinary care team: Therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers

• Judgment-free environment rooted in empathy and encouragement

• Parental involvement every step of the way

Each week, we will focus on learning a new skill and implement it into practice. For each module listed below, we will spend two weeks discussing and developing skillsets for understanding and development.

This is an educational environment meant to help you learn more about your emotions and effective communication skills. This is not a group therapy environment. We integrate structured learning with art therapy, music, and movement.

Parental involvement is key to the success of your child. The skills we learn together can be taken home and implemented immediately.

• Encourages balancing acceptance and change in relationships and personal decisions.

• Teaches validation, dialectical thinking, and reducing extreme or polarized views.

• Helps caregivers and clients navigate conflict and build mutual understanding.

• Provides tools to survive crisis situations without making them worse (e.g., distraction, self-soothing).

• Encourages acceptance of reality in moments of intense emotional pain.

• Focuses on short-term coping strategies rather than long-term change.

• Helps identify and label emotions accurately.

• Teaches strategies to reduce emotional vulnerability and reactivity.

• Promotes building positive experiences and increasing emotional resilience.

• Develops skills to assert needs and set boundaries while maintaining relationships.

• Balances self-respect, relationship goals, and objective effectiveness.

• Includes techniques like DEARMAN, GIVE, and FAST for effective communication.

Hoag works with most insurance providers and will advocate for you to get the maximum coverage possible.

Hoag respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. We will take every measure to ensure that the information you share with us remains confidential and is only disclosed to authorized individuals or entities with your explicit consent.

The Tools Your Teen Needs: CBT & DBT Explained

At ASPIRE, we use two proven therapy approaches — DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) — to help teens learn how to manage tough emotions, build healthier habits, and feel more in control of their lives.

DBT – Helping Teens Stay Calm, Present, and Connected

Dialectical Behavior Therapy is especially helpful for teens who feel overwhelmed, shut down, or act out when emotions run high. DBT focuses on four life-changing skill sets:

• Mindfulness

  – How to slow down and stay focused, even during stress

• Emotion Regulation

  – How to understand and manage big feelings like anger, sadness, or anxiety

• Distress Tolerance

  – How to get through hard moments without making things worse

• Healthy Communication

  – How to set boundaries and build stronger relationships

Why it works: DBT helps teens respond instead of react — giving them emotional stability and stronger connections at home, school, and with friends.

CBT – Helping Teens Rethink the Way They Think

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy teaches teens how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. If your teen often says things like “I’m a failure” or “Nothing ever goes right,” CBT helps them challenge those thoughts and replace them with more helpful ones. It also teaches real-world coping skills for anxiety, stress, and low motivation.

Why it works: CBT gives teens tools to break out of negative cycles — so they can feel more confident, hopeful, and capable.

Talking with your child about mental health can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) offers trusted, evidence-based resources to help parents recognize symptoms, start meaningful conversations, and connect children with the right support. These resources are a valuable starting point. If you feel your child may benefit from more structured support, such as a group resiliency program, please reach out to our team at ASPIRE for guidance and next steps.