About this facility
Set in the seaside La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, The Shores Academy helps teens work through substance use and related mental health challenges or process addictions by addressing the deeper issues behind their behavior. Their outpatient programs support healing in the mind, body, and spirit through a mix of individual, group, and family therapy. Teens can also join a specialized anger management program that helps them understand their triggers and build healthier ways to cope.
Standout features of The Shores Academy are that they treat marijuana and smoking/nicotine addictions, which most treatment centers in the U.S. don't treat, and that they use their proximity to the Pacific to offer surfing and kayaking as part of therapy.
Teens at The Shores Academy continue their education while in treatment. The morning intensive outpatient program runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by academic tutoring from 3 to 5 p.m. This schedule helps reduce school disruptions and supports a smoother return to daily life. The program also offers educational resources on adolescent development so families can better understand and support their teen’s progress.
The Shores Academy uses evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). For trauma, they have a specialized therapy called trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). Additionally, they use medication support when needed, including nicotine replacement therapies.
In addition to clinical counseling, their experiential therapies like surf and kayak therapies and experience-based therapies like art and music give teens hands-on ways to explore emotions, build confidence, and connect with peers in a natural setting. These approaches help teens develop skills for long-term recovery and personal growth.
Families play an important role in the healing process. Through family counseling and educational support, loved ones learn tools to strengthen communication and create a more supportive home environment. The Shores Academy's team helps family understand how to provide a supportive environment for continued long-term recovery.
Services
A quick overview of services associated with this facility.
Type of Care, TC, Substance use treatment; Treatment for co-occurring substance use plus either serious mental health illness in adults/serious emotional disturbance in children
Service Setting (e.g., Outpatient, Residential, Inpatient, etc.), SET, Hospital inpatient/24-hour hospital inpatient; Outpatient; Residential/24-hour residential; Hospital inpatient treatment; Outpatient day treatment or partial hospitalization; Intensive outpatient treatment; Regular outpatient treatment; Long-term residential
Type of Alcohol Use Disorder Treatment, AUT, Does not use medication assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder
Type of Opioid Treatment, OT, Lofexidine or Clonidine detoxification; Does not treat opioid use disorders
Pharmacotherapies, PHR, Clonidine; Medication for mental disorders; Nicotine replacement
Treatment Approaches, TAP, Anger management; Brief intervention; Cognitive behavioral therapy; Motivational interviewing; Relapse prevention; Substance use disorder counseling; Telemedicine/telehealth therapy; Trauma-related counseling; 12-step facilitation
Facility Operation (e.g., Private, Public), FOP, Private non-profit organization
License/Certification/Accreditation, LCA, State Substance use treatment agency; State mental health department; State department of health; Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
Payment/Insurance/Funding Accepted, PAY, IHS/Tribal/Urban (ITU) funds; Medicaid; Private health insurance; Cash or self-payment
Payment Assistance Available, PYAS, Payment assistance (check with facility for details)
Special Programs/Groups Offered, SG, Adolescents; Clients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders; Clients who have experienced sexual abuse; Clients who have experienced trauma
Assessment/Pre-treatment, ASPT, Comprehensive mental health assessment; Interim services for clients; Outreach to persons in the community; Complete medical history/physical exam; Screening for substance use; Screening for mental disorders
Testing, SCR, Drug or alcohol urine screening
Transitional Services, TRSRV, Aftercare/continuing care; Discharge Planning; Naloxone and overdose education; Outcome follow-up after discharge
Recovery Support Services, RSS, Self-help groups; Recovery coach; Mentoring/peer support; Employment counseling or training
Other Services, OTHR, Treatment for other addiction disorder
Education and Counseling Services, ECS, Substance use disorder education; Individual counseling; Group counseling; Family counseling; Vocational training or educational support (for example, high school coursework, GED preparation, etc.)
Facility Smoking Policy, SMP, Smoking not permitted
Age Groups Accepted, AGE, Children/Adolescents; Young Adults; Adults
Sex Accepted, SN, Female; Male
Language Services, SL, Spanish; Other languages (excluding Spanish)
Other Languages, OL, Farsi
Facility Vaping Policy, FVP, Vaping not permitted
Ancillary Services, AS, Residential beds for clients' children; Case management service; Mental health services; Social skills development; Transportation assistance; Suicide prevention services
