Newport Academy - San Rafael Region

Who is this facility a good fit for?

• Best fit if: Adolescents with a primary mental health condition who need structured residential or outpatient 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

• Adapted programming: Schedules are personalized and depend on individual treatment plans. Residential days include group therapy, community peer activities, weekly individual therapy, and weekly psychiatric sessions.
• Educational support: Schoolwork is integrated into daily schedules. This includes tutoring, credit recovery, and executive-function coaching. Educators work alongside therapists to help students stay on track with their studies and build skills in organization and time management.
• Family involvement: 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.
• Evidence-based therapies: Therapy sessions involve approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and trauma-informed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
• Creative and experiential activities: Teens can participate in art and music therapy, as well as outdoor activities like hiking and visits to local attractions.

“Families are often key to creating and sustaining meaningful clinical progress.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Who you will meet with

• 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.
• 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.
• 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

• Getting started: 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.
• Teen-centered treatment: Care 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.
• 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.

“The pace is intentionally gentle on the first day, with orientation, a tour of the home or campus, meals with peers, and time to settle in before the full clinical schedule begins.” — Michael Roeske, PsyD, senior director of Newport Healthcare's Center for Research and Innovation

Living experiences and amenities

• Gender-specific accommodations: Teens stay in the residence that aligns with their gender identity. Homes are upscale and spacious with peaceful 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 and fitness: Executive chefs prepare healthy meals, and dieticians lead cooking and nutrition workshops. Teens also learn fitness skills and have time for physical activity.

Aftercare

• Outpatient treatment: Teens can step down to Newport Academy’s outpatient location from residential care, or start in outpatient if they don’t need 24/7 live-in treatment. Outpatient care levels include partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), and regular outpatient sessions.
• 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.

Facility transparency

• Verified by Start Your Recovery: On July 26, 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.