Vive Adolescent Care: Utah’s Trusted Teen Mental Health Hospital
Vive Adolescent Care in St. George, Utah, is a psychiatric specialty hospital serving adolescents ages 11 to 17 who are experiencing serious mental health challenges. The facility focuses on short-term, intensive treatment that combines medical stabilization, psychiatric care, and behavioral therapy in one coordinated program.
Families often turn to Vive when outpatient therapy is no longer sufficient or when a crisis requires hospital-level intervention. The facility’s mission is to stabilize teens, restore safety, and provide the foundation for long-term recovery through structured, compassionate care. By integrating medical, psychological, and behavioral treatment under one roof, Vive eliminates the gaps that often disrupt the healing process.
The hospital’s physical environment supports that mission. The design emphasizes safety, warmth, and calm rather than a traditional clinical feel. Every space is created to help teens feel secure without feeling confined. The result is a setting that balances structure and comfort, encouraging participation and trust from patients who may arrive anxious, withdrawn, or resistant to treatment.
Leadership and Accreditation that Inspire Confidence
Vive Adolescent Care was founded by three professionals with more than 35 years of collective experience in adolescent treatment and behavioral healthcare. They recognized a need for a facility that could offer both hospital-level care and a nurturing atmosphere specifically for teens.
The organization operates under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Danielle Squires, whose background in healthcare administration has guided Vive’s development and growth. Under her direction, the hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval, a widely recognized symbol of quality in healthcare. Accreditation by The Joint Commission requires ongoing compliance with national standards in safety, patient care, and professional training.
The facility also holds full licensing from the State of Utah and the City of St. George. Vive maintains active membership in the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), demonstrating its commitment to ethical standards and continuous improvement in adolescent treatment. Together, these credentials provide assurance that care at Vive meets the highest levels of clinical integrity and safety.
A Comprehensive and Integrated Treatment Model
Vive’s treatment model blends three critical components of care: medical stabilization, psychiatric support, and behavioral therapy. This integrated structure allows patients to remain in one location from admission through discharge, minimizing the stress and confusion of multiple transfers between programs.
The typical length of stay is between 14 and 30 days. Many patients complete about three weeks of treatment, which the facility identifies as the optimal duration for stabilization and transition planning. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan designed by a multidisciplinary team that includes board-certified psychiatrists, licensed therapists, registered nurses, psychologists, and social workers.
Daily collaboration between medical and clinical professionals ensures that each adolescent receives coordinated attention to physical health, mental wellness, and emotional resilience. This team-based approach promotes both safety and therapeutic progress, setting the foundation for a smooth return to outpatient care or home life.
Evidence-Based Therapies Grounded in Compassion
The therapies used at Vive Adolescent Care are based on proven clinical models tailored for the adolescent population. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients identify and reframe negative thoughts that influence emotions and actions. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness, supporting teens who struggle with impulsive or self-destructive behaviors.
For trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms, Vive utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-informed care, and mindfulness-based interventions. These methods help patients safely process difficult experiences while learning to manage anxiety and intrusive memories.
Group and family therapy sessions are central to the program, creating opportunities for emotional connection and communication. Recreational and experiential therapy are also part of daily programming, offering structured outlets for creativity, teamwork, and stress relief.
The facility provides Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) as an optional adjunctive service for select patients. HBOT exposes patients to concentrated oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which may assist in healing and reducing inflammation. This treatment is offered alongside standard therapies, reflecting Vive’s commitment to comprehensive and forward-thinking care.
Programs Tailored to Different Levels of Care
Acute Inpatient Care
This program serves teens requiring immediate psychiatric stabilization or safety monitoring. Patients receive 24-hour nursing observation, daily psychiatric assessment, and intensive therapeutic support. The primary goal of this level is to reduce acute symptoms, stabilize mood, and ensure safety before transitioning to lower-intensity care.
Intermediate Inpatient Care
Once stabilized, patients may move to intermediate inpatient care, which maintains continuous nursing and psychiatric supervision while focusing on emotional skill-building and communication. Treatment plans in this phase emphasize coping strategies, family involvement, and discharge readiness.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
This PHP provides day treatment for adolescents who can safely return home each evening. Operating Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., this program includes structured therapy, meals, and skill-based activities. It often serves as a bridge for teens stepping down from inpatient care or those needing more structure than traditional outpatient services can offer.
Family Involvement as a Foundation for Lasting Progress
Family participation is considered essential at Vive Adolescent Care. Parents and caregivers take part in regular family therapy sessions to rebuild communication and strengthen relationships. The hospital also provides parent education sessions covering topics such as understanding mental health conditions, managing emotional reactions, and creating stable home environments after discharge.
Families receive frequent updates from the clinical team and are involved in discharge planning to ensure continued progress after treatment. Vive’s family-centered philosophy acknowledges that adolescent recovery extends beyond the individual; it involves supporting the entire family system in developing healthier patterns and stronger connections.
Insurance, Accessibility, and Financial Guidance
Vive Adolescent Care operates primarily through insurance-based reimbursement and works with most major insurance carriers. The admissions team assists families with benefit verification, pre-authorization, and appeals if coverage is initially denied. Payment options include Health Savings Accounts, credit cards, bank transfers, and wire payments.
In some areas, Medicare and Medicaid coverage may be available, depending on eligibility and state-specific requirements. Families are encouraged to contact the facility directly to confirm whether these programs are available in their region.
For families outside Utah, Vive regularly serves patients from neighboring states such as Nevada, Arizona, and California. St. George’s accessibility and mild climate make it an appealing location for families seeking treatment without the stress of extensive travel.
Commitment to Quality, Safety, and Ethical Care
A deep commitment to quality and ethics guides Vive Adolescent Care’s operations. Accreditation from The Joint Commission confirms adherence to national standards for healthcare safety, patient rights, and staff qualifications. Regular inspections ensure that these standards remain in active compliance.
Membership in NATSAP further supports professional accountability, peer collaboration, and ongoing education. Staff training focuses on trauma-informed care, adolescent development, and evidence-based treatment to ensure that every patient receives individualized, compassionate care.
The organization’s emphasis on transparency and safety reassures families that their child’s treatment environment is both medically sound and emotionally supportive. Every staff member, from physicians to support personnel, shares the same goal: to help teens find stability, confidence, and renewed hope.
Restoring Stability and Rebuilding Confidence
For many families, Vive Adolescent Care represents a turning point. The hospital’s programs focus on short-term stabilization, but the impact often extends long after discharge. Adolescents leave with improved coping skills, greater self-awareness, and a plan for continued therapy and support. Families gain tools to communicate more effectively and maintain consistency in recovery at home.
Vive’s team understands that adolescent mental health recovery is not linear. By addressing crises with compassion and clinical precision, the facility helps families move from fear toward optimism. Each treatment plan, therapy session, and family meeting is designed to rebuild trust and strengthen resilience.
In an era when teen mental health challenges are rising nationwide, Vive Adolescent Care provides a model for how comprehensive, compassionate treatment can make lasting change. Its combination of medical expertise, family partnership, and individualized care continues to make it one of the leading resources for adolescent stabilization in the Mountain West.