Nexus Teen Academy

A Small, Structured Residential Setting for Teens

Nexus Teen Academy provides 24/7 residential treatment for adolescents in Cave Creek, Arizona, in a desert setting with mountain views. The environment is designed to feel like a home, with shared bedrooms and private room options, a living room, a game/recreation room, a group room for programming, and designated spaces for individual and group sessions. Outdoor areas (including a backyard) create room for supervised breaks and leisure.

Trauma-Informed Care for Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Health Needs

Treatment is built for teens who need support for substance use concerns alongside co-occurring mental health needs. The clinical model emphasizes group curricula and client-centered planning informed by comprehensive psychological, substance use, and mental health assessments. Therapy approaches include trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based approaches, interpersonal therapy, and narrative therapy, with additional options such as anger management, relapse prevention, and trauma-related counseling. Individual counseling, group counseling, and substance use disorder education are also included.

Required Family Participation

Family involvement is not optional at Nexus Teen Academy — guardian participation is a requirement. Families can expect weekly Family Empowerment Groups that focus on building new social and emotional skills, along with weekly visitation. The program also provides family therapy sessions led by licensed clinicians, tailored to each family’s needs and goals, with an emphasis on addressing parent-teen relational issues. This structure is intended to help families identify patterns that may be contributing to conflict, practice healthier communication, and leave with concrete skills to support their teen’s progress after the residential stay.

Practical Supports: School, Life Skills, and Ongoing Planning

Alongside clinical care, additional services are designed to keep teens engaged in day-to-day responsibilities and future planning while in treatment. Educational and vocational support may include help with high school coursework or GED preparation, and programming includes life skills development and social skills work. The facility also offers case management and discharge planning, plus continuing care and outcome follow-up after discharge. Additional education and counseling services may include health education and smoking/vaping/tobacco cessation counseling.

Client Reviews

Across recent reviews, families often describe a supportive, relationship-centered experience with steady communication and a home-like setting. A few reviewers suggest family sessions and discharge planning could be more consistent, especially near transition points.

• Staff & Care Experience (95% positive): Many families say staff are attentive, calm in crisis moments, and invested in each teen’s day-to-day progress, with regular updates that help parents feel informed. "The staff is very knowledgeable and incredibly caring."
• Support & Community (95% positive): Reviews frequently highlight family involvement, including parent groups and family therapy, as a meaningful part of treatment and the transition back home. "They worked with our entire family."
• Treatment Quality & Outcomes (90% positive): Clients and parents commonly report practical gains — like stronger coping skills, healthier communication, and improved stability — along with a clearer plan for keeping momentum after discharge. "She came home with some amazing coping skills, communication and outlook on life."
• Facility & Environment (90% positive): Several reviewers mention a comfortable, non-institutional space and structured routines that help teens feel safe while they work on mental health and recovery goals. "The house is beautiful and it is truly comfortable for the kids."
• Access & Process (90% positive): Many families describe a reassuring admissions process and helpful coordination with next-step care. A small number note they would have benefited from earlier, clearer discharge planning and more predictable family session scheduling. "I never felt rushed or dismissed while trying to make this incredibly important decision."