Who We Serve: Adolescents Ages 13–17 Needing Mental Health Support
OHCAW provides adolescent mental health treatment in Ohio for teenagers who need more structured support than weekly outpatient therapy can offer, but who do not require 24/7 inpatient hospitalization.
Our programs may be the right fit if your teenager is:
- Experiencing severe or worsening anxiety, depression, mood swings, or emotional dysregulation
- Struggling with self-harm urges or recovering from a suicidal crisis
- Refusing school or showing significant academic and functional decline
- Stepping down from an inpatient psychiatric unit and needing continued structure
- Dealing with trauma, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, or substance use alongside mental health challenges
- Not responding adequately to weekly outpatient therapy alone
We treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Self-harm
- Substance abuse
- Dual diagnosis conditions
Not sure if your teen meets the criteria? Call us. Our admissions team can help you assess the situation, and if OHCAW isn’t the right fit, we’ll help you find options that are.
For referral sources: OHCAW accepts direct referrals from school counselors, pediatricians, therapists, emergency departments, and inpatient psychiatric units. We typically complete intake evaluations within 24–72 hours of referral.
Admission Criteria for Teen Mental Health Treatment at OHCAW
To ensure adolescents can fully engage in and benefit from our programming, teens admitted to our mental health treatment programs in Ohio must meet the following clinical criteria:
If your teen has been recently hospitalized, we may request clinical records to ensure continuity of care. These can include psychiatric evaluations, history and physical exams, psychosocial histories, clinical notes from prior treatment providers, and a current medication list with dosages.
If your teenager doesn’t meet all the criteria at this time, we won’t leave you without options. Our team will provide a clear clinical rationale and connect you with appropriate resources and referrals.
How Mental Health Treatment Admissions Work at OHCAW
Our admissions process is built around one goal: getting your teenager the right level of care as quickly and smoothly as possible. Here’s what to expect at each stage.
Initial Phone Call
Everything starts with a conversation. When you call (866) 568-5666, you’ll speak with a trained admissions specialist, not an automated system. We’ll ask about your teen’s current symptoms, history, and what’s been going on at home and school. This call typically takes 15–30 minutes and is completely confidential.
If you’re a school counselor, pediatrician, ER social worker, or other provider, you can call the same line to initiate a referral on behalf of a patient or student.
What to have ready:
- A summary of your teen’s current symptoms and recent history
- Any prior diagnoses or current medications
- Insurance information (we’ll handle verification, just have the card available)
Intake Evaluation
Following the initial call, we schedule a comprehensive intake evaluation. This is a clinical assessment conducted by one of our adolescent mental health specialists and covers:
- Current psychiatric symptoms and functioning
- Mental health and medical history
- Academic and social context
- Family dynamics and home environment
- Substance use history, if applicable
- Safety assessment
The evaluation helps us determine the most appropriate level of care, PHP, IOP, or Aftercare, and form the foundation of your teen’s individualized treatment plan.
Most families are scheduled for an intake evaluation within a few days of their first call. In urgent situations, we work to facilitate same-week or next-day assessments.
Free Insurance Verification
Before your teen’s first day, our admissions team conducts a thorough free insurance verification. We contact your insurance provider directly, review your benefits for mental health treatment coverage, and walk you through what’s covered in plain language, including any copays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs.
We work with most major insurance plans, including commercial insurance, employer-sponsored plans, and many Medicaid-managed care plans. We believe cost should never be the barrier that keeps a teenager from getting help, and our team will explore every available option with you.
Enrollment & First Day Preparation
Once the intake evaluation is complete and insurance is confirmed, we finalize your teen’s admission. Our team will:
- Confirm the program start date and schedule
- Walk you through what to bring and what to expect
- Answer any remaining questions from you or your teen
- Coordinate with your teen’s school regarding attendance and accommodations when needed
- Connect you with our parent support resources to help you prepare
During the first week, your teen will meet their clinical treatment team, begin therapy groups tailored to their age and diagnosis, receive a full orientation to the program, and may be invited to participate in an initial family therapy session.
What Adolescents and Families Can Expect During Teen Mental Health Treatment
Referring a Teen to OHCAW: Information for School Counselors, Pediatricians & Providers
● Pediatricians and primary care providers
● Outpatient therapists and psychiatrists
● Emergency department social workers and care coordinators
● Inpatient psychiatric unit discharge planners
● Juvenile justice and community service organizations
2. Provide a brief clinical summary of the student or patient
3. We’ll complete an intake evaluation within 24–72 hours in most cases
4. We maintain transparent clinical communication throughout treatment and coordinate a structured discharge and step-down plan.
Insurance Coverage for Adolescent Mental Health Treatment in Ohio
● Medicaid managed care plans (eligibility varies, call to confirm)
● Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
● Deductible and out-of-pocket cost estimates
● Pre-authorization support (we handle this with your insurer)
● Clear explanation of any costs before your teen’s first day
Teen Mental Health Treatment Admissions FAQs
How do I know if my teenager needs PHP vs. IOP?
This is one of the most common questions families ask, and it’s exactly what our intake evaluation is designed to answer. As a general guide, PHP (our full-day program) is appropriate for teens who need intensive daily structure, are in emotional crisis, or have recently been discharged from inpatient care. IOP (our after-school program) is for teens who are stable enough to attend school but still need more than weekly therapy. Our clinical team will make a clear recommendation after the intake evaluation.
How quickly can my teen be admitted?
In most cases, we can complete an intake evaluation within a few days of the initial call, and many teens are admitted within the same week. For urgent situations, we prioritize rapid assessment and will do our best to accommodate same-day or next-day evaluations.
Do you accept insurance for teen mental health treatment?
Yes. We work with most major insurance plans and provide free insurance verification before admission. Our team handles the benefits review and pre-authorization process so you don’t have to.
What if my teen doesn’t want to come to treatment?
This is more common than you might think, and our team has significant experience working with reluctant or resistant adolescents. We can talk through strategies for the initial conversation at home and how to frame treatment in a way that feels less threatening to your teen. Once they’re in the program, the peer community and teen-centered environment often make a significant difference.
What happens after treatment ends?
Discharge planning begins early in the treatment process. Before your teen leaves, we develop a comprehensive continuing care plan that may include step-down to IOP, connection to outpatient therapists, school reintegration support, and access to our Aftercare program and Alumni network. We don’t drop families at the door; we plan.
Can I tour the facility before enrolling?
Yes. We welcome families to visit our Worthington, Ohio, location before admission. Contact our admissions team to schedule a tour.
I’m a school counselor. How do I refer a student?
Call (866) 568-5666 and identify yourself as a school referral. We’ll gather a brief clinical summary, explain our intake timeline, and keep you informed throughout the process. We coordinate closely with schools on attendance accommodations and the student’s return to the classroom.
What does the first week look like for my teen?
During week one, your teen will receive a full clinical orientation, meet their individual therapist and treatment team, begin daily therapy groups, and may participate in an initial family session. The first week is intentionally structured to help teens feel safe, understood, and prepared for the work ahead.
Ready to Start? Contact Our Admissions Team Today
Dr. Ethan Anglemyer is a double board-certified psychiatrist specializing in adult and child/adolescent psychiatry. A proud member of the MCAW team since 2024, Dr. Anglemyer brings exceptional academic training and clinical depth to our patients and community.
He completed his psychiatric residency in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and went on to complete his child and adolescent fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He also holds an attending role at Boston Children’s Hospital.