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San Diego Outpatient Programs

Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment for Teens

Welcome to Evolve San Diego Outpatient

Partial Hospitalization & Intensive Outpatient Programs For Teens

Evolve San Diego Outpatient, located in the coastal community of Del Mar, provides a safe and welcoming environment for teens to focus on recovery. Our facility includes five clinician offices, two group therapy rooms, a school room, an art therapy space, and a teen-friendly common area. 

Meet The Clinical Director of Evolve San Diego PHP & IOP

“At Evolve Outpatient, our mission is to empower teens to overcome their different challenges. We strive to meet each teen and family’s individual needs by providing quality and evidenced based care tailored to each family. Our treatment goals focus on helping teens develop healthy coping skills, build emotional resilience, and promote long term wellbeing. At outpatient, we create a nurturing and structured environment to help teens feel like they have a space to belong, learn, and grow in order to thrive both in treatment and in their life.”

Jordan Carter, LCSW | Senior Clinical Director

Programs Offered at Evolve San Diego

Evolve San Diego offers two outpatient program levels of care for teens ages 12-17 who are experiencing mental health, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. Our Admissions Team helps parents determine the appropriate level of care needed for each teen. Learn more about the two programs below.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

    Evolve’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also known as a “full day program”, offers teens a comprehensive day of treatment five days a week.

    Max 12 Clients

    Monday - Friday

    9am - 4pm

    Services Included Each Week at Evolve Teen PHP

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The average length of stay for PHP is 2-4 weeks.

    Below are some of our PHP’s biggest draws for struggling teens:

    • Structured Treatment: A PHP gives teenagers a structured daily routine with therapeutic sessions and activities. The added structure supports the formation of healthy habits and a deeper sense of stability.
    • Clinical Support: In PHP, teens have daily access to compassionate clinical professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors. This level of support keeps them from feeling alone on the recovery journey.
    • Integration with Daily Life: In contrast to inpatient care, PHP clients go back home at the end of the day. Maintaining a home base gives a recovering teen an opportunity to practice the skills they’ve learned from the program in real-life situations, which can gradually build confidence and independence.
    • Community and Peer Support: Group therapy and support sessions are key elements of PHP programs. From these daily meetings, teens gain valuable peer support, as well as accountability with others in recovery.
    • Personalized Treatment Plans: Evolve’s PHP treatment plans are personalized, which means specific care for your teen’s needs. Our treatment plans are adjustable for specific substance abuse issues, co-occurring disorders, and personal recovery goals.
    Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, or Substance Use:

    If a teen is experiencing suicidal ideationengaging in occasional self-harm that does not require medical attention, or struggling to maintain sobriety. Teens should be largely able to keep themselves safe without significant monitoring on nights and weekends.

    Disrupted Daily Life:

    If a teen is unable to maintain healthy relationships, or has significant problems when functioning in their family, peer group, and/or community and have increased difficulty maintaining daily responsibilities. If a teen is refusing to go to school or their academic performance is declining due to their mental health, substance use, or behavioral issues. 

    Teens at Evolve PHP see their assigned psychiatrist weekly.

    Evolve is proud to have full-time board-certified Child & Adolescent psychiatrists who are dedicated to supporting the needs of Evolve clients. Our psychiatrists are active members of the treatment team and participate in regular consultation meetings our therapists and Clinical Director.

    The psychiatrist will reach out to parents at the start of treatment to introduce themselves and learn about your teen’s history. When medication changes are made, the psychiatrist or the Nurse will contact you to provide psychoeducation, answer any questions, and obtain consent. 

    Clients are never required to take medication.

    At Evolve, teens in PHP continue their academic pursuits for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. The parents and therapist collaborate with the school counselor to provide weekly packets or assignments. Computers will be provided to those who need it for research or online school/assignments. The counselors will work with the teen during school time to ensure they are staying on task, using skillful behavior, and completing the necessary coursework.

    Yes, at PHP, teens teens will complete random Urine Drug Screens weekly. 

  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

    At Evolve’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), also called an “after-school program”, teens receive a half day of programming several days a week.

    Max 12 Clients

    Monday - Thursday

    4pm - 7pm

    Services Included Each Week at Evolve Teen IOP

    Frequently Asked Questions
    The average length of stay for IOP is 2-3 months.

    An IOP is a middle ground between outpatient care and 24/7 residential treatment. These programs cater to the unique needs and circumstances of teens with substance abuse and mental health issues on a schedule that fits into their day-to-day life. Here are some of the top benefits of an IOP for teens:  

    1. Flexibility: IOPs offer treatment while allowing individuals to maintain daily responsibilities.
    2. Comprehensive Care: An IOP takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining group therapy, individual counseling, and specialized treatments.
    3. Supportive Environment: During treatment, teens connect with peers facing similar challenges in an accountability-focused setting.
    4. Tailored Treatment: Our team uses personalized treatment plans to address unique needs and challenges.
    Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, or Substance Use:

    If a teen is experiencing suicidal ideationengaging in occasional self-harm that does not require medical attention, or struggling to maintain sobriety. Teens should be largely able to keep themselves safe without significant monitoring on nights and weekends.

    Disrupted Daily Life:

    If a teen is unable to maintain healthy relationships, or has significant problems when functioning in their family, peer group, and/or community and have increased difficulty maintaining daily responsibilities. If a teen is refusing to go to school or their academic performance is declining due to their mental health, substance use, or behavioral issues. 

    Teens at Evolve IOP see their assigned psychiatrist monthly.

    Evolve is proud to have full-time board-certified Child & Adolescent psychiatrists who are dedicated to supporting the needs of Evolve clients. Our psychiatrists are active members of the treatment team and participate in regular consultation meetings our therapists and Clinical Director.

    Clients are never required to take medication.

    At IOP, teens will complete randomized Urine Drug Screens based on clinical need.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

At Evolve’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), also called an “after-school program”, teens receive a half day of programming several days a week.

Max 12 Clients

Monday - Thursday

4pm - 7pm

Services Included Each Week at Evolve Teen IOP

Frequently Asked Questions
The average length of stay for IOP is 2-3 months.

An IOP is a middle ground between outpatient care and 24/7 residential treatment. These programs cater to the unique needs and circumstances of teens with substance abuse and mental health issues on a schedule that fits into their day-to-day life. Here are some of the top benefits of an IOP for teens:  

  1. Flexibility: IOPs offer treatment while allowing individuals to maintain daily responsibilities.
  2. Comprehensive Care: An IOP takes a holistic approach to treatment, combining group therapy, individual counseling, and specialized treatments.
  3. Supportive Environment: During treatment, teens connect with peers facing similar challenges in an accountability-focused setting.
  4. Tailored Treatment: Our team uses personalized treatment plans to address unique needs and challenges.
Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, or Substance Use:

If a teen is experiencing suicidal ideationengaging in occasional self-harm that does not require medical attention, or struggling to maintain sobriety. Teens should be largely able to keep themselves safe without significant monitoring on nights and weekends.

Disrupted Daily Life:

If a teen is unable to maintain healthy relationships, or has significant problems when functioning in their family, peer group, and/or community and have increased difficulty maintaining daily responsibilities. If a teen is refusing to go to school or their academic performance is declining due to their mental health, substance use, or behavioral issues. 

Teens at Evolve IOP see their assigned psychiatrist monthly.

Evolve is proud to have full-time board-certified Child & Adolescent psychiatrists who are dedicated to supporting the needs of Evolve clients. Our psychiatrists are active members of the treatment team and participate in regular consultation meetings our therapists and Clinical Director.

Clients are never required to take medication.

At IOP, teens will complete randomized Urine Drug Screens based on clinical need.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Evolve’s Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also known as a “full day program”, offers teens a comprehensive day of treatment five days a week.

Max 12 Clients

Monday - Friday

9am - 4pm

Services Included Each Week at Evolve Teen PHP

Frequently Asked Questions

The average length of stay for PHP is 2-4 weeks.

Below are some of our PHP’s biggest draws for struggling teens:

  • Structured Treatment: A PHP gives teenagers a structured daily routine with therapeutic sessions and activities. The added structure supports the formation of healthy habits and a deeper sense of stability.
  • Clinical Support: In PHP, teens have daily access to compassionate clinical professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors. This level of support keeps them from feeling alone on the recovery journey.
  • Integration with Daily Life: In contrast to inpatient care, PHP clients go back home at the end of the day. Maintaining a home base gives a recovering teen an opportunity to practice the skills they’ve learned from the program in real-life situations, which can gradually build confidence and independence.
  • Community and Peer Support: Group therapy and support sessions are key elements of PHP programs. From these daily meetings, teens gain valuable peer support, as well as accountability with others in recovery.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Evolve’s PHP treatment plans are personalized, which means specific care for your teen’s needs. Our treatment plans are adjustable for specific substance abuse issues, co-occurring disorders, and personal recovery goals.
Suicidal Thoughts, Self-Harm, or Substance Use:

If a teen is experiencing suicidal ideationengaging in occasional self-harm that does not require medical attention, or struggling to maintain sobriety. Teens should be largely able to keep themselves safe without significant monitoring on nights and weekends.

Disrupted Daily Life:

If a teen is unable to maintain healthy relationships, or has significant problems when functioning in their family, peer group, and/or community and have increased difficulty maintaining daily responsibilities. If a teen is refusing to go to school or their academic performance is declining due to their mental health, substance use, or behavioral issues. 

Teens at Evolve PHP see their assigned psychiatrist weekly.

Evolve is proud to have full-time board-certified Child & Adolescent psychiatrists who are dedicated to supporting the needs of Evolve clients. Our psychiatrists are active members of the treatment team and participate in regular consultation meetings our therapists and Clinical Director.

The psychiatrist will reach out to parents at the start of treatment to introduce themselves and learn about your teen’s history. When medication changes are made, the psychiatrist or the Nurse will contact you to provide psychoeducation, answer any questions, and obtain consent. 

Clients are never required to take medication.

At Evolve, teens in PHP continue their academic pursuits for 2 hours per day, 5 days per week, Monday through Friday. The parents and therapist collaborate with the school counselor to provide weekly packets or assignments. Computers will be provided to those who need it for research or online school/assignments. The counselors will work with the teen during school time to ensure they are staying on task, using skillful behavior, and completing the necessary coursework.

Yes, at PHP, teens teens will complete random Urine Drug Screens weekly. 

Our Clinical Approach

Evolve’s therapeutic approach is evidence-based and behavioral. In our standard clinical model, we provide psychiatry, a strong DBT skills-training component, along with other evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and others. The combination of therapeutic approaches in each treatment plan depends on the adolescent’s specific needs in treatment.

Our therapeutic approaches include:

Family Support

At Evolve PHP and IOP, all clients participate in weekly family therapy, typically with their parents and/or other familial caregivers. While there are many approaches to family therapy, our therapists typically take a solution-focused, skills-based approach. Since learning effective coping skills is a key part of treatment for teens at Evolve, the clinical teams ensure that parents are learning many of these skills alongside their teens and that the skills are practiced during family therapy sessions. Our therapists also provide psychoeducation and coaching to parents to help them better understand what their teen is going through and how they can help.

At a minimum, you can expect:

Understanding the Admissions Process

Take the first step toward restoring balance, harmony, and peace to your family.

Step 1: Understanding Your Situation

When you reach out to us, we listen. We want to understand who you are, what’s going on in your family. A compassionate and skilled Admissions Coordinator will guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about Evolve’s programs. We will also answer questions in relation to payment and insurance coverage. Evolve works with most private insurance companies on an in-network and out-of-network basis. We talk to your insurance provider and advocate for you to maximize your benefits at every level of care. 

When you reach out to us, we listen. We want to understand who you are, what’s going on in your family. A compassionate and skilled Admissions Coordinator will guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about Evolve’s programs. We will also answer questions in relation to payment and insurance coverage.

From the moment your child admits, you’ll see first-hand the warmth and comfort that defines the Evolve experience for teens and their families. Finally, treatment begins. You can rest assured knowing your child is in a safe, comfortable, supportive environment surrounded by a dedicated team of compassionate, experienced mental health and addiction experts.

We know this is a huge step for you and your family. We understand it won’t be easy. Yes, there may be tears. Yes, it may be hard to drive away. But one thing we’ve learned in all our years working with adolescents: treatment works.

Meet Our Outpatient Admissions Manager

“I understand you and your family are going through a tough time, and I will support you through the entire admission process.  I am here to answer any questions you may have and direct you through any barriers that may come up throughout the process. My goal is to become your extended family member and confidant from the initial call to the day of intake.”

Denisha Hartzog, LMFT | Outpatient Admissions Manager

Hope Has a Home at Evolve

Contact our admissions team today to learn more or to schedule a free assessment!

Contact Admissions Today

Ready to make a change?

If your family is in crisis, we can expedite the admissions/intake process. We work to get you the help you need as soon as possible.