Family First Adolescent Services specializes in treating the most common and complex mental health and behavioral issues that teens and their families face. With 120 years of combined clinical experience, advanced training, and a commitment to continual improvement of our clinical program, we help teens and families get better.
We serve families from Jupiter to Miami—and beyond—at our locations in South Florida.
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Teen Mental Health Treatment in South Florida
Anger Management
Anger is a healthy emotion when managed effectively, but it becomes destructive when teens lack proper coping skills. Anger management techniques are crucial for teens with underlying mental health issues or impulse control challenges.
Concerning anger behaviors:
- Explosive outbursts over minor frustrations
- Physical aggression toward people or property
- Verbal threats or intimidating behavior
- Inability to calm down after becoming angry
- Anger affecting relationships and daily functioning
Anxiety
Teen anxiety has become increasingly common, with adolescents ages 12–18 experiencing heightened levels due to rapid brain development and reorganization. Our specialized anxiety treatment addresses the unique challenges teens face during this vulnerable period.
Signs your teen may be struggling with anxiety:
- Social isolation and withdrawal from friends and activities
- Difficulty following through with commitments or responsibilities
- Lashing out at home due to overwhelming feelings
- Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or sleep problems
- Avoidance of school, social situations, or new experiences
We also provide specialized panic disorder and OCD treatment.
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ADHD
Attention difficulties can impact every aspect of your teen’s life. Proper assessment and diagnosis of ADHD is critical for successful long-term outcomes and academic achievement.
Common ADHD symptoms include:
- Inattention and difficulty staying focused on tasks
- Poor impulse control leading to risky decisions
- Difficulty staying organized or managing time
- Hyperactivity or restlessness
- Academic underperformance despite intelligence
We also provide specialized neurodevelopmental treatment for ASD and other conditions.
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Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD affects how teens think, feel, and interact with others, causing significant difficulties in relationships and self-image. Early intervention greatly improves long-term outcomes for teenagers with this condition.
BPD warning signs:
- Intense fear of abandonment (real or imagined)
- Unstable relationships alternating between extremes
- Identity disturbance and unstable self-image
- Impulsive behaviors in potentially harmful areas
- Emotional instability and intense mood swings
Complex Trauma (C-PTSD)
Complex trauma involves repeated exposure to traumatic events during childhood development. Our team is one of the only centers in the country receiving intensive ongoing training and consultation for complex trauma treatment.
Signs of complex trauma may include:
- Emotional dysregulation and mood swings
- Difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Negative self-concept and shame
- Dissociation or feeling disconnected from reality
- Hypervigilance or being constantly on edge
We also provide tailored childhood trauma and PTSD treatment.
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Depression and Mood Disorders
Adolescent depression often emerges suddenly in teens who were previously happy and joyful. Our team can help your teen explore their mental health to find out what’s causing their shifts in mood so they can learn to cope.
Teen depression warning signs:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness lasting two weeks or more
- Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
- Significant changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Fatigue and decreased energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
We also provide specialized bipolar disorder treatment.
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Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder
DSED develops in children who experienced early trauma, neglect, or inconsistent care. It creates difficulties with boundaries, emotional regulation, and appropriate relationship formation.
DSED behavioral patterns:
- Overly familiar behavior with strangers
- Lack of appropriate caution in new situations
- Willingness to go with unfamiliar adults
- Difficulty forming selective attachments
- Inappropriate social boundaries
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD involves severe, persistent irritability and emotional outbursts in children and adolescents. It’s often misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder or conduct disorder, requiring specialized assessment and treatment.
DMDD characteristics:
- Frequent, severe temper outbursts (three or more times per week)
- Persistent irritable or angry mood between outbursts
- Symptoms present for 12 months or longer
- Impairment in multiple settings (home, school, peers)
Dual Diagnosis
Most adolescents with mental health challenges experience multiple symptoms that sometimes belong to different conditions. Family First separates itself from other providers by starting treatment with a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
Signs of co-occurring disorders:
- Multiple mental health symptoms that overlap
- Substance use combined with mental health issues
- Treatment resistance with traditional single-diagnosis approaches
- Complex family dynamics affecting multiple areas
- Academic and social functioning impairment
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Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions with serious physical and emotional impacts. They often emerge during adolescence, making early recognition and intervention crucial for recovery.
Eating disorder indicators:
- Dramatic weight loss or fluctuations
- Obsessive calorie counting or food rituals
- Avoiding meals or eating in isolation
- Excessive exercise or compensatory behaviors
- Body image distortion and appearance preoccupation
Gambling Addiction
Teen gambling addiction has increased due to widespread online gambling availability. Digital technology makes it easier than ever for adolescents to access gambling websites, creating new risks for families.
Gambling addiction indicators:
- Preoccupation with gambling activities or betting
- Lying about time spent gambling or money lost
- Borrowing or stealing money to fund gambling
- Mood changes related to gambling wins or losses
- Neglecting responsibilities to engage in gambling
Impulse-Control Disorder
Teens with impulse-control disorders struggle to resist urges that lead to impulsive and risky behaviors. These behaviors significantly impact relationships and daily functioning without proper intervention.
Impulse-control warning signs:
- Acting without considering consequences
- Difficulty waiting or delaying gratification
- Engaging in risky or dangerous behaviors
- Stealing, lying, or other rule-breaking behaviors
- Aggressive outbursts when frustrated
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
ODD involves consistent patterns of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. It significantly impacts school performance, family relationships, and daily functioning without proper treatment.
ODD behavior patterns:
- Frequent arguing with adults and authority figures
- Deliberately annoying others or being spiteful
- Refusing to follow rules or comply with requests
- Blaming others for their mistakes or misbehavior
- Easily annoyed or quick to anger
Problematic Gaming
Gaming and technology addiction has skyrocketed in recent years as teens retreat from physical world challenges to find comfort, safety, and accomplishment in virtual environments.
Problematic gaming behaviors:
- Spending excessive hours gaming (8+ hours daily)
- Neglecting school, family, and personal hygiene
- Becoming aggressive when gaming time is limited
- Loss of interest in real-world activities and relationships
- Physical symptoms like headaches or eye strain
Reactive Attachment Disorder
Reactive attachment disorder develops in children who haven’t received consistent, nurturing care from primary caregivers. This condition interferes with healthy relationship formation and emotional development.
RAD symptoms include:
- Difficulty forming emotional bonds with caregivers
- Withdrawal from comfort and affection
- Unexplained fearfulness or irritability
- Lack of seeking comfort when distressed
- Delayed social and emotional development
Substance Use
Adolescent substance use is a complex challenge spanning social, neurological, and developmental factors. Our comprehensive treatment approach addresses all contributing elements for sustainable recovery and healing.
Substance use warning signs:
- Changes in friend groups or secretive behavior
- Declining academic performance or attendance
- Physical symptoms like bloodshot eyes or unusual odors
- Mood swings or personality changes
- Missing money or items from home
We help teens dealing with alcohol addiction and addiction to Adderall, marijuana, Xanax, and other drugs.
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Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention
Teens who are struggling with mental health issues may turn to self-harm as a way to cope with their emotions. We help teens who struggle with self-harming thoughts and behaviors learn to cope with stress in better ways.
Signs of self-harm:
- Unexplained cuts, bruises, or burns
- Wearing long sleeves, pants, or bracelets to hide skin
- Using lots of first aid supplies
- Frequent accidents and/or injuries
- Hiding sharp objects in their room
- Saying things like they’d be better off dead
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Sleep Disorders
Adolescence naturally brings changes in sleep patterns, but when these changes interfere with health and functioning, professional assessment may be needed. Sleep disorders significantly impact academic performance and emotional well-being.
Sleep disorder symptoms:
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness despite adequate sleep time
- Irregular sleep-wake cycles
- Sleep-related breathing problems or movement disorders
- Impaired daytime functioning due to poor sleep quality
Meet Our Clinical Staff
Why Families Choose Family First in Palm Beach Gardens
We understand the complex emotions and difficult decisions involved in choosing quality adolescent mental health treatment for your teen. Our commitment to excellence and compassionate care has made us the trusted choice for families throughout South Florida and beyond.
- 120+ years of combined clinical experience
- Accurate diagnostic evaluations
- Family involvement at every step
- Leading-edge treatments
- Safe, supportive environment
- 3:1 staff-to-client ratio
- Specialized expertise
- 365 days of aftercare support
Next Steps: Contact Us Today
Taking the first step toward getting help for your teen can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Our professionals are here to provide guidance, support, and hope for your family’s healing process.
Get started by contacting our South Florida team online or by calling 888.904.5947 now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes your South Florida program unique?
Our program is built around six core components to provide comprehensive care for teens:
- Therapy: Individual and group sessions tailored to address unique mental health needs.
- Communication: Regular communication with parents and referring providers (and 24/7 texting with case managers).
- Academics: Tracks that help teens get ahead in school and career readiness.
- Family support: Designed to support the entire family system, because mental health challenges impact everyone.
- Continuing care: 12 months of aftercare to ensure ongoing support and success after completing the program.
- Experiential: Engaging and stimulating daily activities that align physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Can families outside of Florida enroll their teens here?
Yes, we welcome families from across the country and internationally. Today, we’ve served families from 49 states and four countries. Our admissions team can help coordinate travel arrangements and provide recommendations for local accommodations for families who need to stay in the area during their teen’s treatment. We also work with families to coordinate care with their local providers for ongoing support after treatment completion.
How long is treatment?
Treatment duration varies based on your teen’s individual needs, the complexity of their mental health challenges, and their response to treatment. For our residential program, teens live at Family First for at least 45 days—many stay up to 90 days. Teens in our Pinnacle Day Program attend Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and go home each evening. The length of the program also depends on the treatment goals for each teen, which are continuously assessed and adapted as they make progress.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes, we work with most major insurance providers, and our admissions team can verify your specific benefits and coverage. We understand that navigating insurance can be complex, so our staff will help determine your out-of-pocket costs and discuss payment options.