OASIS Ascent is a specialized short-term residential treatment program for boys and girls aged 13-17 who are facing mental health challenges and crises. It provides immediate stabilization, expert assessment, and compassionate care in a safe, structured environment. The program is designed for teenagers struggling with issues such as self-harm, suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, depression, trauma, and other behavioral and mental health difficulties.

OASIS Ascent offers several key benefits, including immediate safety and stabilization in a secure, home-like environment with 24/7 professional supervision. They provide comprehensive, holistic assessments to uncover the root causes of your teen's struggles, leading to individualized treatment plans that address emotional, mental, physical, social, academic, and spiritual wellness. Strong family involvement is also a core component, with weekly family therapy, parent support groups, and a parent portal for updates.

OASIS Ascent utilizes evidence-based therapies such as DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to help teens build coping skills. The holistic treatment approach includes individual and family therapy, group sessions, experiential therapy, medication management (if needed), nutrition screenings, sleep monitoring, genomic analysis, academic support, life skills training, mindfulness practices, and nature-based therapy.

Family involvement is considered essential at OASIS Ascent. Families participate in weekly therapy sessions with experienced clinicians to gain insight into their teens' challenges, strengthen communication, and rebuild trust. Weekly parent support groups offer a space to connect with other families facing similar situations. Additionally, the "Parent Portal" provides online updates on the teen's well-being and therapeutic progress.

The stabilization assessment process at OASIS Ascent is comprehensive and goes beyond standard mental health screenings. It includes psychological evaluations, psychiatric consultations, medical assessments, genomic analysis, nutritional assessments, and academic testing. The goal is to create a personalized stabilization plan that addresses immediate safety concerns and lays the foundation for lasting recovery by understanding the teen's unique situation and needs.

The ideal student for OASIS Ascent is a teenager aged 12-17 experiencing a mental health crisis who needs immediate and intensive support in a safe, structured setting. This includes teens exhibiting behaviors like self-harm, suicidal thoughts, running away, severe anger issues, risky behaviors, impulsivity, and those struggling with diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. The program also suits teens transitioning from other therapeutic programs.

OASIS Ascent provides expert support to families navigating insurance coverage, including out-of-network benefits. They offer a free, no-obligation verification of benefits to help understand your plan, potential costs, and available options. Their team can also assist with advocating for pre-authorization and exploring Single Case Agreements to maximize insurance coverage.

OASIS Ascent is Joint Commission-accredited and fully licensed, reflecting its commitment to high standards of care. They are also recognized as a NATSAP Research Program, indicating a dedication to evidence-based practices. Outcome data from real families shows that a high percentage of students report their therapeutic needs being met, and parents observe positive changes in their child's problems following the program.

A mental health crisis in a teenager involves intense emotions, harmful behaviors, or destructive thoughts that significantly impair their daily functioning and well-being. These crises can manifest in various ways, including active suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, severe self-harm, violent or aggressive behavior, severe psychotic episodes, depression, anxiety, trauma responses, substance abuse, anger issues, family conflict, lying and manipulation, risky behaviors, impulsivity, behavioral or technology addictions, running away, and risky sexual behaviors. It's crucial to recognize that a crisis often indicates a deeper underlying mental health issue that requires professional attention.

While teenage moodiness is common due to hormonal changes and developmental stages, a mental health crisis involves more severe and persistent symptoms that significantly disrupt a teen's life. Parents should trust their understanding of their child's baseline behavior. Red flags include immediate risk of self-harm or harm to others, situations causing lasting emotional or physical harm, the teen's mental health impacting other family members, engagement in negative coping mechanisms, and an inability to perform daily functions at home and school. Drastic changes in appetite, social withdrawal, giving away prized possessions, or a loss of status can also be indicators of a more serious issue. Don't hesitate to ask direct questions about suicidal thoughts or plans if you have concerns.

If you suspect your teenager is in immediate danger due to suicidal thoughts or severe self-harm, it is crucial to seek help immediately. This may involve taking them to the nearest emergency room, contacting emergency services (like 911), or calling a crisis hotline such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's important to create a safe environment by removing any potential means of harm. Openly and non-judgmentally communicate with your teen, letting them know you are concerned and want to help. Don't be afraid to ask direct questions about their thoughts and intentions. Connecting them with professional mental health support, such as crisis stabilization services or a mental health urgent care center, is a vital next step.

Crisis stabilization services provide urgent, short-term intervention for teenagers experiencing an acute mental health crisis. The primary goals are to stabilize the immediate crisis, ensure the teen's safety, and connect the family with appropriate resources for ongoing care. These services often involve intensive individual, family, and group therapy sessions, as well as medication management if needed. They aim to empower families by providing them with tools and strategies to understand and handle their child's mental health crisis. Facilities like OASIS Ascent offer crisis stabilization as an initial step in the continuum of care.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy specifically designed for individuals struggling with emotional and behavioral dysregulation, including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and aggression. It emphasizes both acceptance of current difficulties and the need for change. DBT skills are typically taught in four key areas: mindfulness (present moment awareness), distress tolerance (managing intense emotions), emotion regulation (healthy management and shifting of emotions), and interpersonal effectiveness (assertive communication and boundary setting). It provides both teens and parents with a common language and practical tools to manage intense emotions without acting on them, building resilience and a sense of control.

A teenager's mental health crisis doesn't occur in isolation; it impacts the entire family system. Therefore, family involvement is crucial for the healing process. Parents play a vital role by providing support, creating a safe and communicative environment, and working collaboratively with mental health professionals. Family therapy sessions and parent support groups can help families understand the challenges their teen is facing, improve communication, and develop strategies to support each other. Parents are also encouraged to take care of their well-being so they can effectively support their teen without becoming overwhelmed. Setting healthy boundaries and having open conversations, even about difficult topics like suicide, can strengthen family connections in the long run.

Residential treatment may be necessary when a teenager's mental health crisis is severe and they require a more intensive and structured level of care than outpatient therapy can provide. Indicators for residential treatment include persistent academic challenges, behavioral issues negatively impacting the family, significant relationship problems, safety concerns (like ongoing suicidal ideation or self-harm that cannot be managed at home), and unresponsiveness to outpatient therapy. Residential programs like OASIS Ascent provide a safe and secure environment with 24/7 support from mental health professionals. They typically involve comprehensive assessments, personalized treatment plans, individual, group, and family therapy, medication management (if needed), academic support, and the development of coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.

Choosing the right treatment center is a critical step. Parents should research the facility's safety protocols, staff qualifications, and security measures, ensuring they have experience in crisis management. Accreditation from reputable organizations like The Joint Commission can indicate a commitment to high-quality care. Evaluate the therapy modalities offered, looking for evidence-based practices like DBT and CBT, and inquire about treatment outcomes and individualized plans. Consider the staff-to-resident ratio and the aftercare support provided to ensure a smooth transition back home. Identifying your child's unique needs through a thorough assessment is the first crucial step in finding the most effective care. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the center's approach to various mental health challenges and their philosophy of care.

OASIS stands for Observation, Assessment, Stabilization, and Intensive Support. Our hope is for all families that received services here will feel like they have arrived at an oasis and that each of those components will be delivered on.