Integrated Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment for Transitional Age Youth (TAY)

At Sierra Pathways, we believe healing and transformation begin where mental health and substance use care meet — especially for young people navigating one of life’s most vulnerable transitions: from adolescence to adulthood.

What Is Integrated Treatment?

Integrated treatment refers to a coordinated approach that addresses both mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) in a single, unified care model. Instead of treating these conditions separately — or prioritizing one over the other — our programs support the whole person, understanding that mental wellness and substance recovery are deeply interconnected.

This is especially critical for Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 16–25, who are disproportionately affected by trauma, co-occurring disorders, and systemic barriers like housing instability, criminal justice involvement, and limited access to culturally responsive care.

Why It Matters

Research shows nearly 50% of people who seek help for addiction also experience underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar disorder. Traditional, siloed treatment models often fail to address this complexity, leading to higher relapse rates, unaddressed trauma, and revolving-door care.

Integrated care changes that.

By combining trauma-informed mental health services with evidence-based substance use treatment in a youth-centered setting, Sierra Pathways empowers young people to:

  • Understand the root causes of their struggles

  • Build coping tools for long-term resilience

  • Create pathways toward stability, education, employment, and meaningful relationships

Our Programs: Holistic, Youth-Focused, and Co-Occurring Capable

1. Day Treatment Intensive (DTI) Half-Day Program

A structured outpatient program (<4 hours/day) offering:

  • Individual and group therapy

  • Life skills training

  • Recovery support

  • Psychoeducation

  • Early intervention for substance use

Open to TAY aged 16–25, this program is grounded in models like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and The Seven Challenges®.

2. Adult Residential Facility (ARF)

An 8-bed, 24/7 residential program for TAY aged 18–25, certified at the ASAM 3.1 level. Residents also participate in the DTI program. Key features include:

  • Sober living with wraparound services

  • Peer support and case management

  • Trauma-informed care and harm reduction

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), as needed

Together, these programs create a full continuum of care for youth with dual diagnoses — offering both clinical structure and real-world skills to navigate adulthood.

What Sets Sierra Pathways Apart?

❖ True Integration

We don't just co-locate services — we embed them. Our clinical teams are trained to treat co-occurring disorders with equal priority, using evidence-based strategies designed specifically for young people.

❖ Cultural and Community Responsiveness

We prioritize outreach to Native youth and underserved tribal communities in Lake County. Our services reflect the values, experiences, and identities of those we serve — not the other way around.

❖ Research-Informed, Empathy-Driven

Our approach is informed by doctoral-level research into trauma, sustainability, and human-centered healing. We honor each young person’s story through phenomenological listening, not just diagnosis.

❖ Designed for Healing — Not Surveillance

We reject one-size-fits-all approaches. At Sierra Pathways, assessment is not about labeling — it’s about understanding. We meet youth where they are and walk with them toward who they want to become.