New Harbor Behavioral Healthcare’s Young Adult Program
Support for young adults who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or off track.
New Harbor’s Young Adult Program (ages 16–25) provides structured day treatment, also known as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), treatment for mental health and co-occurring substance use—while helping participants build real-life skills like executive functioning, communication, independence, and daily structure.
New Harbor’s program is exclusively designed for supporting young adults navigate what for many is the hardest phase of life.
The change from teen life to adult life can feel overwhelming—this often shows in mental health symptoms or substance use. Young adults can get stuck in patterns of anxiety, depression, avoidance, and lack of structure. We are here to help.
Common situations we can support:
- Young adults looking for a treatment program with other young adults
- Graduated high school but feels lost with no clear next step
- Started college but left after a semester due to anxiety, depression, or overwhelm
- Struggling to hold a job or follow a routine
- Spending most days at home, isolated, sleeping late, or avoiding responsibilities
- Feeling stuck in heavy marijuana use and noticing motivation and mood declining
- Feeling behind peers and overwhelmed by adulthood
- Experiencing anxiety, depression, irritability, low self-esteem, or shutdown
Are you a parent, guardian or significant other wondering if a loved one needs care?
Is This What Your Young Adult Is Experiencing?
- “Sleeping until noon most days”
- “Can’t stop using weed even when they want to”
- “Dropped out of school and won’t talk about what’s next”
- “Anxiety spikes when responsibilities show up”
- “Avoids everything and shuts down”
- “Feels depressed, stuck, and ashamed”
If you think the answer to any of these questions is yes, please call our team at New Harbor. If New Harbor is not the right fit, we can also help by sharing alternative resources.
New Harbor is Joint Commission accredited and licensed by Massachusetts Department of Public Health to provide mental health and substance use treatment.
Primary mental health and co-occurring substance use treatment
Mental health concerns may include:
- Depression and low motivation
- Anxiety and panic symptoms
- Social anxiety and isolation
- Mood dysregulation and emotional overwhelm
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Avoidance and functional impairment
You do not need a substance use problem to get help at New Harbor.
Substance use concerns may include:
- Marijuana/cannabis overuse (daily use, dependence, loss of motivation)
- Nicotine/vaping
- Alcohol misuse
- Early recovery support
- Co-occurring relapse patterns tied to anxiety/depression
We focus on the root causes—not just stopping the behavior.
Day Treatment, also known as PHP and IOP, options based on level of need
Partial Hospital Program (PHP)
A higher level of structure and support for young adults needing consistent daily treatment.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
A step-down or moderate level of care for young adults who need treatment but are building independence and returning to school/work.
This isn’t just therapy. It’s treatment + real-world functioning support for young adults.
This isn’t just therapy. It’s treatment + real-world functioning support for young adults.
New Harbor’s program is solely designed for young adults.
Core program focus areas:
- Executive functioning (planning, follow-through, routines)
- Life skills and independence
- “How to adult” skills (as an annoying millennial would say
- Communication and interpersonal effectiveness
- Emotional regulation (CBT/DBT-based)
- Motivation, identity, and next steps
- Relapse prevention and healthier coping
- Structure, accountability, and rebuilding momentum
Sample Daily Schedule
9:15AM – 10:45AM (Group 1)
Morning Check-In + Day Plan + Primary Therapy Group (CBT/DBT Skills)
Focus: mood check-in, accountability, coping skills, emotional regulation, cognitive restructuring, and daily goals.
10:45AM – 11:00AM
Break
11:00AM – 12:30PM (Group 2)
Process Group + Supportive Therapy
Focus: connection, insight, communication, real-time feedback, and peer support.
12:30PM – 1:00PM
Lunch Break
1:00PM – 2:30PM (Group 3)
Executive Functioning + Life Skills Group
Focus: structure, time management, motivation, planning, organization, boundaries, finances, and independence-building.
2:30PM – 3:00PM (Group 4)
Wrap-Up + Plan for the Evening
Focus: relapse prevention planning, scheduling, communication goals, coping plan, and “next right step” structure.
3:00PM – 4:00PM (Academic/Vocational Support)
Case management for academic/school and vocational support.
This schedule is ideal for young adults who need structure and accountability but want to rebuild independence and forward momentum.
What young adults learn here
Core skill areas include:
- CBT and DBT coping skills
- Managing anxiety and depressive thinking patterns
- Emotion regulation and distress tolerance
- Building routines and daily structure
- Executive functioning and planning
- Social skills and interpersonal effectiveness
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Substance use triggers and relapse prevention
- Life skills: finances, boundaries, responsibility, independence
- Goal-setting and next-step planning (school, work, career exploration)
Real progress. Real outcomes.
While every participant’s path is different, treatment goals often include:
- A realistic plan for school, work, or next steps
- Reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms
- Improved daily structure and motivation
- Decreased substance use and relapse risk
- Better communication with family and supports
- Stronger coping skills under stress
- Improved confidence and independence
Frequently Asked Question
Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
What ages do you serve?
Ages 16–25. Sometimes 16-18 year olds may be a better fit in our teen program, but this will be determined following a brief assessment.
What is the first day like?
The first day starts with a brief facility tour (e.g., where is the bathroom, snacks, and coffee!) and orientation. You will finish the intake paperwork with a team member, if you haven’t done so online. After that you will either join a group and meet your peers, or meet with your therapist to start a clinical assessment and treatment planning.
Do you treat mental health and substance use together?
Is this program appropriate if marijuana is the main issue?
How long is PHP or IOP?
What if my young adult is unmotivated or resistant?
Do you help with school/work planning?
New Harbor Behavioral Health is not an emergency service. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency or are at risk of harm to yourself or others, please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 (available 24/7).