Newport Academy Fernwood

Setting Designed for Healing

The campus features expansive outdoor areas with wooded views, spacious patios for group activities, and a large common room where teens gather for community-building and evening reflections. Therapy rooms are intentionally set up for privacy and consistency, giving teens a predictable space for difficult conversations. Access to fitness areas encourages movement, which can help reduce anxiety and restlessness.

Evidence-Based Mental Health Treatment

Care centers on addressing the underlying drivers of distress rather than only reducing symptoms. Teens participate in individual therapy, family therapy, and multiple daily groups that use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and mindfulness practices. Clinicians complete regular assessments and adjust treatment plans as teens develop healthier coping skills. On-site psychiatric care supports mental health medication management when needed.

Academic Support and Life Skills Development

Academic continuity is prioritized through Newport Academy’s accredited education program, which helps teens stay on track with coursework and school credit requirements. Teachers and learning specialists coordinate with home schools to make sure what teens are learning aligns with their regular curriculum. Teens also practice skills like time management, communication, and problem-solving, which often decline when mental health symptoms escalate. Culinary instruction led by chefs and dietitians reinforces healthy routines around nutrition and self-care.

Experiential and Outdoor Programming

Experiential therapy provides hands-on opportunities for teens to practice emotional regulation and teamwork. The program includes yoga and meditation, art and music therapy, horticulture, fitness activities, and Mixed Martial Arts. Teens also go on seasonal excursions to local parks, canyons, and state beaches for hiking, paddleboarding, and kayaking. These activities give teens ways to reduce stress and explore new interests while reinforcing lessons from clinical sessions.

Family Engagement and Aftercare

Weekly attachment-based family therapy sessions help caregivers learn new communication skills and understand the emotional patterns behind a teen’s behavior. Before discharge, the treatment team develops a personalized aftercare plan that may include partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), virtual outpatient care, or community-based services. Families receive guidance on home expectations, boundaries, and support strategies to maintain progress.