Supportive residential treatment centers (RTCs) for college students and youth
Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) offer college students a structured, supportive, and home-like environment with 24/7 care to help them manage their mental health and begin their path to healing.
We understand how difficult it can be to navigate college while dealing with severe depression or anxiety. Residential treatment programs offer 24/7 support in a structured, home-like setting—providing the intensive care college students need to regain balance and focus on their well-being.
What is a residential treatment center for college students and youth?
A residential treatment center (RTC), also known as a residential program or rehab facility, is a place where college students and young adults can receive 24/7 care and focused mental health support in a structured environment—away from the stress and distractions of daily life or campus pressures.
How do RTCs support college students academically?
What therapies are offered in college-focused RTCs?
Can RTCs help with college social anxiety?
Age Range
College Students and Young Adults ages 12-34
Genders served
boys, girls, and LGBTQ+ youth
Conditions treated
mental health and co-occurring issues
Average treatment length
Treatment plans vary. Please consult an admissions counselor about your specific situation.
Therapy time commitment
All-day treatment and care.
Weekly commitment
Parents need to allow 2-3 hours a week for family therapy, outcomes survey completion, and update calls.
When is a residential treatment center the right choice for a college student or young adult?
A residential treatment center may be the right option when outpatient or virtual care hasn’t been effective, when more intensive support is needed, or when a 24/7 therapeutic environment is essential for healing. It can also serve as a step down from a more acute level of care.
Other reasons an RTC might be needed include:
- Educational needs:
Residential treatment for teens and youth integrates education with treatment to help young people continue their academic progress without falling behind.
- Lack of support at home:
Living with peers facing similar challenges in a residential setting helps foster community and mutual understanding and fills social needs for adolescents, teens, and young adults facing mental health challenges.
- Intensive care needs:
Personalized therapy, including individual, group, and family sessions, helps develop coping strategies.
- Safety concerns:
A residential setting provides adolescents, teens, and young adults with 24/7 supervision and support that can help manage crises as they arise.
- Unsuccessful IOP and PHP treatments:
Residential treatment for adolescents, teens, and young adults provides a stable daily routine and order for those who have too much chaos in their lives to rely on IOP or PHP care alone.
How can a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) help me heal and move forward?
School Source’s residential treatment centers have helped thousands of college students and young adults work through challenging mental health conditions.
What are my payment options for an RTC?
In-network
Our in-network insurance options allow for seamless access to our services without having to worry about additional expenses.
Self pay
We accept a variety of payment options, including cash, credit, check, and direct deposit, to provide you with the flexibility and convenience you need when investing in your teen or young adult’s mental health treatment.
Out of network
For out-of-network coverage, our team is equipped to help with navigating the paperwork and reimbursement process. We also offer single-case agreements.
What can college students expect at a residential treatment center?
At a residential treatment center, college students and young adults can expect 24/7 support in a safe, structured environment focused on personal growth and recovery. Our compassionate team of licensed therapists delivers individualized mental health care using trauma-informed methods. This holistic approach is designed to help you work through challenges, build healthy habits, and move toward a more fulfilling, balanced life.
Supportive residential services
Our residential treatment programs are designed to help college students and young adults work through challenges such as eating disorders, trauma, depression, and more. We provide:
Residential treatment:
Comprehensive, round-the-clock support that empowers teens to heal in a safe, therapeutic environment.
Therapeutic boarding school:
A structured and nurturing school setting where teens can grow academically and emotionally, with tailored support for their mental health needs.
Transitional living:
A bridge to independence, offering young adults guidance and skills to thrive as they step into life’s next chapter.
Group therapy:
A supportive space where teens connect with peers, share experiences, and build resilience together.
Individual therapy:
One-on-one sessions that help teens explore their challenges, build self-awareness, and develop personal coping skills.
Family therapy:
A collaborative approach to strengthening family bonds and fostering open communication and understanding.
Healing RTC therapies
Our residential treatment centers offer a wide range of therapies and mental health services designed to help college students and young adults work through challenges such as:
- Art therapy:
A creative outlet where teens can express emotions and process experiences through art, fostering healing and self-discovery.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT):
A structured approach that helps teens build skills for managing emotions, relationships, and stress in healthier ways.
- Equine therapy:
Hands-on interaction with horses that teaches trust, responsibility, and emotional awareness in a powerful, natural setting.
- Experiential therapy:
Active, real-world experiences that encourage teens to face challenges, gain insights, and develop confidence through hands-on activities.
- SMART recovery:
A practical, self-empowering approach that guides teens in making positive choices and building healthy habits for life.
- Canine therapy:
Interaction with trained therapy dogs to help teens experience comfort, reduce stress, and build trust in a supportive environment.
Experts in treating a broad spectrum of mental health conditions affecting college students
Every student who turns to School Source is unique. We develop personalized mental health therapy programs tailored to each individual and their family’s needs.
Residential program FAQs
- How are families involved during residential treatment?
At School Source, we believe that family involvement can play a key role in a young adult’s mental health journey. Throughout the program, we offer regular family therapy sessions to help strengthen communication and rebuild trust. We keep families updated on progress and provide workshops that offer practical tools for ongoing support—both during treatment and after returning home. Your connection and involvement matter, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
- Why should I consider a residential program instead of an IOP or PHP?
Residential programs provide a more immersive level of care for college students and young adults who may need more support than outpatient options can offer. Living on-site means having access to 24/7 care in a structured environment—helping you focus fully on your mental health without the distractions of everyday life. This setting is ideal for individuals with more complex or persistent challenges, offering therapeutic structure and a supportive community.
For those who can manage daily life at home, Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) provide flexible yet focused treatment options without the need for residential care.
- What are some other benefits of RTCs?
RTCs offer many other benefits to the teenagers, young adults, and families they treat. They offer:
- A comprehensive evaluation to assess behavioral, educational, emotional, medical, and social needs.
- Age-restricted mental health treatment.
- A higher level of care than is typically provided in individual, group, or family therapy.
- An individualized treatment plan to put in place interventions that help your son, daughter, or LGBTQ+ child attain these goals.
- An onsite team of professionals to coordinate comprehensive care and provide emotional support for your son, daughter, or LGBTQ+ child.
- Involvement of the family through home passes, on-site visits, telephone calls, therapy sessions, and other modes of communication.
- The ability for your son, daughter, or LGBTQ+ child to build or rebuild life skills.
- Psychiatric care.
- How do RTCs support teens with specific mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma?
Teen residential treatment is specifically designed to help adolescents and young people with mental health conditions. Our team of trained therapists and counselors develops individualized treatment plans that focus on your teen’s unique needs. For depression, we offer therapies that encourage self-expression and self-worth; for anxiety, we teach coping skills that reduce stress and promote resilience; and for trauma, we provide trauma-focused and trauma-informed treatment that helps each youth heal. Every step of the way, we’re committed to creating a healing path that’s personal, supportive, and transformative.
- How does an RTC help with academic progress while in treatment?
We know that maintaining academic progress is crucial for your teen’s future, and we’re dedicated to helping them thrive both emotionally and academically. Our residential program includes tailored academic support that fits each teen’s learning pace and needs. With certified teachers and tutors on staff, your teen can continue their studies while receiving the mental health support they need.
- Can I visit or stay connected with my teen while they’re in treatment?
Yes, absolutely. Staying connected with your teen is an important part of the healing process, and we encourage family visits as part of their treatment journey. We also provide regular updates and scheduled phone or video calls so that you can stay involved in their progress. Through these touchpoints, you’ll be able to offer encouragement and support, strengthening your relationship as they work on themselves. We understand the importance of family bonds, and the goal of our treatment is to help strengthen and heal families and young people.
- How do youth transition back home after an RTC?
We want to make sure whole family healing can take place, which is why we provide therapeutic coaching and support for the entire family. Once your son, daughter, or LGBTQ+ child completes our program, we will work with you and your local healthcare professionals to ensure a seamless and successful return home.
- How do caregivers discuss going to an RTC with youth?
Help motivate your adolescent, teen, or young adult to embrace this type of treatment by asking open-ended questions about their situation and how this experience could improve it. Reassure them you’ll provide support by participating in family therapy during their stay and maintaining regular communication with them while they’re at the facility.
- Why do youth go to our residential treatment centers?
Youth go to our treatment center because of the intensive 24-hour residential care it provides for a wide range of mental health issues, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, thoughts of self-harm, and ADHD.
Our residential facility can be a wonderful option for adolescents, teens, and young adults who have safety issues, lack support at home, or need a high level of care after inpatient hospitalization or outpatient treatment.
- How do residential programs differ from other inpatient programs?
The biggest difference between a typical inpatient treatment program and our residential mental health facilities is the environment. While a typical inpatient facility has a hospitalization environment, our RTCs provide healing nurturing settings where youth can work through difficult mental health issues like trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.
- How will my youth's individual mental health needs be met?
Residential treatment centers are well-equipped to meet the individual and special needs of each youth in their care. Upon admission, a comprehensive assessment is conducted to determine your child’s unique needs, including any mental health conditions or behavioral issues. This assessment serves as the foundation for creating a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to address your son, daughter, or LGBTQ+ child’s challenges and goals.
- How soon can my child start residential treatment?
The time to begin treatment will depend on the availability at the particular residential facility, but on average the enrollment times for a residential center can range from 7-20 days after the first call with one of our admissions specialists.
Find the mental health treatment that best meets your needs
Our resources can help you navigate the often confusing world of mental health treatment.