Teen Outpatient Program


The Newport Academy Adolescent Outpatient Program is led by Terry Kelleman, MS, LICDC, CCS, CACDII, BRI II, who brings over 20 years experience working with adolescents and young adults with substance abuse and behavioral health issues. (Click to read more about Terrence Kelleman)

An Evidence-Based Approach

The Newport Academy Adolescent Outpatient Program is designed specifically for teens ages 13-18 that have substance abuse and related psychological and behavioral problems. The program utilizes the Matrix ModelTM, an evidence-based program in which the individual needs of every client and family are addressed allowing for the best opportunity for success. This outpatient program, developed by clinicians at UCLA, involves a multi-disciplinary approach in developing a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan. Adolescents and families have access to Psychiatrists, licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Internal Medicine Physicians, Certified Chemical Dependency Counselors, and other addiction and behavioral health treatment specialists to best meet their treatment needs.

Family Involvement

Family involvement is an integral component of treatment. There is no stronger interpersonal bond in a young person's life than his or her family. Extensive research has shown that adolescents achieve better results when their parents are actively involved in treatment. At the Newport Academy Outpatient Program, parents attend two groups weekly; a Family Therapy session and the Multi-Family Group. These groups focus on issues such as effective communication, healthy boundaries, conflict resolution, relapse prevention, and anger management.

A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment

Prior to admission, each teen receives a comprehensive assessment by a qualified addiction treatment specialist. Families are involved in every step of the treatment process and a comprehensive treatment plan is developed to best address the adolescent's needs.

Three Levels of Care

The Newport Academy Adolescent Outpatient Program involves three levels of care:

  1. Intensive Care

    During the Intensive Care phase of treatment teens attend the program four days per week and family members attend twice weekly. An individual treatment plan and attendance contract with the teen is developed, teens are drug tested weekly, and through involvement in the 12-step principles of recovery and educational presentations teens are introduced to the recovery process. Teens also attend weekly individual and group sessions facilitated by therapists and counselors. The Intensive Care phase of the outpatient treatment program typically lasts eight weeks.

  2. Transitional Care

    In the Transitional Care phase of outpatient treatment teens attend twice weekly. Their progress is monitored closely, and if teens require more intensive intervention, involvement in the outpatient program is increased. Families also remain involved in treatment attending a weekly Parent Support Group. Teens meet individually with a Counselor, attend weekly group therapy, and random drug testing is performed per staff discretion. The focus of Transitional Care is relapse prevention, development of a sober and healthy peer support network, and integrating recovery tools learned in the Initial Phase into the teens' daily life. The Transitional Care phase of the outpatient program typically lasts twelve weeks.

  3. Continuing Care

    Teens are encouraged to remain in the Continuing Care phase of the outpatient program for a minimum of one year. During this phase of treatment, teens attend a weekly peer facilitated support group, have access to Newport Academy staff for support and guidance, help plan and attend alumni activities, and are encouraged to continue involvement in young person's 12-step programs in the community. Parents also remain involved in the weekly Parent Support Group. As adolescence can be an especially difficult time for teens with peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol, teens are encouraged to utilize their sober peer network for support and to remain connected with the staff and program as much as possible.