The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas offers an Adolescent Treatment Program (ATP), an intensive inpatient program for teens ages 12–17 who are experiencing complex or hard-to-manage mental health symptoms. Menninger describes the program as a stabilization and assessment-focused level of care for adolescents who may not have benefited from previous outpatient treatment, who need diagnostic clarity, or who are facing an acute mental health crisis for the first time.

A defining feature of Menninger’s ATP is its comprehensive diagnostic approach. The clinic notes that adolescents receive an interdisciplinary evaluation and may undergo psychological and neuropsychological testing. When clinically necessary, Menninger also describes using additional diagnostics such as brain imaging, genetic testing, and other laboratory measures to better understand a teen’s needs. The treatment team focuses on clarifying diagnoses, identifying core issues contributing to symptoms, and determining next steps for effective longer-term care.

Menninger describes the Adolescent Treatment Program as a structured inpatient setting with 24/7 nursing care and supervision. Core programming includes regular psychiatry appointments, daily group therapy, and scheduled individual and family therapy. The clinic also highlights evidence-based interventions used in groups, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mentalization-based therapy (MBT), and motivational interviewing (MI). In addition, the program includes recreational and creative therapies, with opportunities for supervised physical activity and expressive work.

Academics are integrated into the weekday routine. Menninger notes that weekday mornings include dedicated academic time and that the team collaborates with families and schools to plan for coursework during hospitalization and for school transition after discharge. This can help families maintain educational continuity while a teen receives intensive clinical support.

Length of stay varies, but Menninger states that many adolescents remain in the program for several weeks, and that families participate in structured feedback meetings once assessment and testing are complete. Discharge planning is part of the process, with the treatment team developing recommendations for next-step supports so progress can continue after leaving the campus.

Families considering Menninger’s Adolescent Treatment Program can learn more by reviewing the program overview and asking about the assessment process, typical weekly structure, and how aftercare recommendations are coordinated. Discussing how family involvement works during treatment can also help caregivers decide whether this inpatient adolescent program aligns with their teen’s needs.