Newport Academy - Port Townsend

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Adolescents with a primary mental health condition who need structured residential care; have a co-occurring substance use disorder, trauma, or eating disorder; looking for a blend of clinical and experiential therapies; families who want to be closely involved in treatment; prefer a home-like care setting; using private insurance or self-pay.

• Not a fit if: Those who need acute, hospital-level medical or psychiatric treatment; have a primary substance use disorder without a significant mental health component; require detox; using Medicaid or are uninsured and unable to self-pay.

What to expect

Typical schedule

• Daily clinical care: Schedules are personalized and depend on individual treatment plans. They include group therapy, community peer activities, weekly individual therapy, and weekly psychiatric sessions.
• Family sessions: Parents are closely involved from the start of treatment. Clinicians lead loved ones in attachment-based family therapy (ABFT), an approach designed to help mend parent-child relationships.
• Academic support: Schoolwork is integrated into daily schedules. This includes tutoring, credit recovery, and executive-function coaching. Educators work alongside therapists to help students close learning gaps and build skills in organization and time management.
• Evidence-based therapies: Therapy sessions involve a combination of proven approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma counseling.
• Wilderness and adventure therapy: The facility’s Trek/Adventure Center hosts wilderness treks, kayaking in the San Juan Islands, sailing in Mystery Bay, hiking, and seasonal snowshoeing in Olympic National Park.

“Our goal is to establish a sense of safety, comfort, and familiarity as quickly as possible, creating the foundation for clients to engage and benefit from treatment.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Who you will meet with

• Psychiatrists: A psychiatrist works with teens one-on-one every week, manages mental health medications, and makes sure teens are on the right track with their treatment.
• Nurses: Registered nurses (RNs) are available 24/7 to watch over teens and tend to their medical needs.
• Therapists: A primary therapist serves as teens’ main point of contact and guidance during treatment and leads weekly individual therapy sessions. Associate therapists lead group sessions throughout the day.
• Accredited teachers: Educators lead academic blocks, coordinate teens’ schoolwork, and help teens with their studies.
• Behavioral health technicians (BHTs): Supervise teens and support them throughout the day.
• Dieticians: Registered dieticians plan nutritious meals and teach healthy eating habits.

Developing your care plan

• Beginning steps: Before the program begins, clinicians give teens in-depth medical and psychiatric background assessments. Teens’ goals and preferences are taken into account when shaping care plans.
• Individual schedules: Treatment is tailored to unique needs and mental health diagnosis. These include depression, anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma/post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clients can also receive care for co-occurring substance use and eating disorders.
• Orientation: Teens are given time to settle in and acclimate before they start the full clinical schedule. The pace is intentionally calm on the first day. New clients can take a tour of the house, meet the care team, and get to know their peers.
• Weekly reassessment: Every week, the multidisciplinary treatment team sits down to assess and re-evaluate care plans. These can be updated based on how teens are progressing as the program unfolds. The length of the residential stay is usually 30 to 60 days, but this is flexible and determined on a case-by-case basis.

“An individualized treatment plan is developed within the first 72 hours based on everything we know about the client to that point, and it is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis as the client progresses.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Living experiences and amenities

• Forested campus: Housing is upscale and spacious with quiet wooded surroundings.
• Comfortable shared spaces: Bedrooms are usually shared with one other roommate. Outside of therapy hours, teens can socialize in shared indoor and outdoor areas.
• Nutrition: Executive chefs prepare healthy meals which can be customized to teens’ dietary needs.

Aftercare

• Early discharge planning: A dedicated discharge planner starts working with families early in treatment to help them prepare for what comes next. This can include coordinating outpatient care or getting clients and families the resources they need for when teens return home.
• Ongoing alumni support: An alumni coordinator is on-staff to make sure teens and families can stay connected after the program ends. Alumni resources include themed groups, peer reunions, and online support groups for teens and their loved ones.

“Discharge and aftercare planning start early, helping ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care after treatment.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Medical leadership interview

Interview conducted with Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation, on July 20, 2026 by Start Your Recovery Director of Content, Molly McSweyn.

We interviewed Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation, to better understand how care is structured and who the program is a best fit for. He was candid and detailed about the way mental health care plans are designed to fit individual needs and progress.

“We recognize that positive outcomes are not the result of a single treatment approach, a strong therapeutic bond, or a client’s belief that treatment will help. Rather, they come from consistently integrating the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and careful consideration of each client’s unique characteristics, cultural needs, and preferences to guide care.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Michael was transparent about the program’s emphasis on individualized attention, family participation, and making sure clients feel safe and comfortable during treatment.

Pre-admissions experience

We conducted a series of pre-admissions calls, the most recent on June 3, 2026, to evaluate response time, transparency, and patient experience.

When we reached out to Newport Academy, the admissions team was prompt and straightforward. They walked us through the clinical team and personalized care planning. The conversation felt professional and organized, with clear explanations around cost and admissions.

Client reviews

Most reviewers describe meaningful progress, caring staff, and strong relationships with peers and family members. Some clients noted concerns around treatment fit, communication, staff responsiveness, and discharge planning.

• Treatment quality & outcomes (85% positive): Multiple clients reported improved mental health, sustained sobriety, practical coping skills, or healthier family relationships. A smaller group felt treatment was not well matched to the client’s needs. “Newport saved my life.”
• Staff & care experience (85% positive): Most reviewers who discussed staff described therapists, nurses, care coordinators, academic staff, and residential team members as kind, skilled, and invested in clients. A handful raised concerns about how staff managed difficult situations. “All of the staff at Newport Port Townsend really cared.”
• Support & community (80% positive): Reviews often highlight friendships, peer encouragement, family therapy, and alumni connections. A few described issues within the peer community or wanted more family support.
• Facility & environment (90% positive): Reviews generally describe an appealing campus, engaging outdoor activities, and comfortable meals and accommodations. “The campus is beautiful.”
• Access & process (60% positive): Some reviewers praised responsive admissions, staff availability, aftercare, or alumni resources. Others voiced concerns about communication and administrative follow-through.

Facility transparency

• Verified by Start Your Recovery: On July 31, 2026, our research team conducted a comprehensive review of this facility's advertising claims, registrations from public health departments, national accrediting bodies, and SAMHSA.

• Medical leadership interview: Conducted July 20, 2026, with Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation.

• Pre-admissions experience evaluation: Most recent call conducted on June 3, 2026.