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True North Program

True North Program | Nexus Health Systems

Specialized Psychiatric Care for Adolescents Who Need More

Hospital-level inpatient psychiatric and residential treatment for teens with complex behavioral health needs, delivered through a fully coordinated clinical team. Accepting referrals nationwide.

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DNV & Joint Commission Accredited

Interdisciplinary Care Teams

24/7 Psychiatric & Medical Coverage

Referrals Accepted Nationwide

Medicaid & Most Insurance Accepted

Established in 1992 - 30+ Years

About the Program

When standard placements aren't enough.

For adolescents facing serious behavioral and psychiatric challenges, finding the right care environment isn't always simple. When acute behavioral needs or co-occurring medical conditions are involved, traditional residential treatment centers and psychiatric settings often aren't equipped to provide the level of support required. That's why Nexus Health Systems developed the True North Program.

Combining 24/7 psychiatric and medical care, trauma-informed therapy, and concurrent, accredited education, we provide a structured environment in which adolescents can stabilize, process trauma, and build healthy coping skills. Referring providers and families nationwide trust our hospital and residential treatment programs as paths toward lasting, whole-person healing.

The True North Program is ideal for teens needing specialized intervention after:

  • Failed residential behavioral program placements
  • Repeated crisis admissions without sustained improvement
  • Family or system breakdowns requiring intensive out-of-home care
  • Discharges from other inpatient settings with complex remaining needs

Our goal is to equip teens with improved emotional regulation, behavioral stability, and self-awareness, reducing the likelihood of future placements.

Levels of Care

Matching patients to the right level of care.

We offer two distinct treatment environments within the True North Program, each designed to serve adolescents at different levels of acuity.

Hospital Inpatient

True North Hospital Program

Nexus Children's Hospital – Shenandoah, Texas | Ages 11-17

For adolescents with more acute psychiatric and/or medical needs, the True North Hospital Program provides a hospital-based, med-psych environment. Designed for youth who require intensive specialty support with 24/7 medical management, structured therapeutic programming, and TEA-accredited education.

  • Integrates family medicine physicians, pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and skilled therapists
  • 24/7 medical and psychiatric care
  • Daily medical evaluations to assess and manage acute or chronic conditions
  • Evidence-based psychotherapies including DBT, CBT, and EMDR
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy as indicated
  • Concurrent, TEA-accredited education (University of Texas University Charter School)
  • Structured behavioral programming with positive reinforcement model
Residential Treatment

True North Residential Treatment Program

Nexus Neurorecovery Center – San Antonio, Texas | Female Adolescents Ages 13-17

For female adolescents who need structured, longer-term behavioral care in a supportive residential setting. Residents build coping skills, receive ongoing therapy, and continue their education through our TEA-accredited school, with access to medical care as needed.

  • Interdisciplinary team, including family medicine physicians, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists
  • 24/7 nursing; psychiatrists and nurse practitioners on-site 5 days/week
  • Ongoing medication management
  • Trauma-informed evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy
  • EMDR-trained therapists
  • Concurrent, TEA-accredited education (Lighthouse Charter School)
  • Evaluations for school and community re-entry

We're here to help with difficult placement decisions.

We collaborate with discharge teams, case managers, physicians, and residential transfer coordinators to ensure adolescents are placed in a safe environment that meets their psychiatric, behavioral, and/or medical needs. Reach out to our admissions team to discuss placement options and next steps.

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Clinical Approach

Compassionate, individualized treatment – fully integrated.

The True North Program's interdisciplinary team develops personalized care plans that simultaneously address the full spectrum of patient challenges. This integrated approach makes the True North Program an exceptionally effective fit for adolescents with specialty care requirements.

Program Features

  • Interdisciplinary team integrating family medicine physicians, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists (Hospital level-care also includes pediatrics, physical medicine, rehabilitation, and skilled therapies.)
  • 24/7 onsite nursing care and on-call psychiatric and medical provider coverage
  • Regular psychiatric and medical evaluations
  • Behavioral programming based on a positive reinforcement model
  • Trauma-informed, evidence-based individual, family, and group psychotherapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • EMDR-trained therapists
  • Ongoing medication management
  • Structured, safe environment for residents vulnerable to harming self or others
  • Concurrent, TEA-accredited education
  • Evaluations for school and community re-entry

What Sets the True North Program Apart

  • One of the few programs in the country treating co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions through a fully coordinated clinical team
  • Integrated psychiatric and medical care for adolescents with specialty behavioral health needs
  • Interdisciplinary, not siloed: psychiatrists, physicians, BCBAs, therapists, educators, and case managers working from a unified treatment plan
  • Continuity of care: step-down options within the NHS system reduce disruption for patients and families
  • 30+ years of specialized experience: founded in 1992, with deep institutional expertise in specialty adolescent care
  • Discharge planning begins at admission: every care plan includes transition coordination and community re-entry preparation

Common diagnoses treated

The True North Program accepts adolescents presenting with a wide range of psychiatric, behavioral, and co-occurring medical diagnoses. The following represent conditions frequently encountered in our patient population.

  • Behavior dysregulation
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)
  • Reactive attachment disorder
  • Schizophrenia
  • Self-harm
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  • Substance use disorder (co-occurring)
  • Somatization disorder
  • Seizure disorders
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Spina bifida
  • Acute infection
  • ADHD (with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses)
  • Physical deconditioning
  • Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
  • Neurological conditions

Referral Guidance

Admission criteria & referral process.

Clinical Admission Criteria

  • Requires intensive out-of-home therapeutic intervention
  • Symptoms interfering with ability to function in significant life domains and/or activities
  • Requires 24-hour supervision due to emotional and/or behavioral challenges that have caused safety concerns
  • Exhibits significant maladaptive behaviors
  • Has been unsuccessful in less restrictive environments
  • Responds to clinical services and skill development within a structured setting
  • Has the cognitive functioning to benefit from clinical services

Referral Sources We Work With

  • Residential treatment programs (step-up referrals)
  • Child and adolescent psychiatrists
  • Pediatricians and ER physicians
  • Hospital discharge planners and inpatient social workers
  • CPS / DFPS / DCS and child welfare caseworkers
  • Community mental health center clinicians
  • Juvenile justice placement coordinators
  • State behavioral health agency staff

A physician's order or referral is required for all admissions to the True North Program. See referral sources above. Our admissions team is available to assist referring providers with documentation requirements, insurance verification, and placement logistics. Call 713.351.6633 to speak with an admissions coordinator.

Coverage & Accreditation

Medicaid and most major insurance accepted.

Nexus Health Systems works with Medicaid and a wide range of commercial insurance plans. For out-of-network referrals, our admissions team explores all available coverage pathways, including single case agreements, gap exceptions, and alternate funding sources. Insurance verification is completed as part of every referral.

We accept referrals from across the country. Our admissions team coordinates insurance verification, travel support, and discharge planning for out-of-state placements.

Medicaid Most Private Insurance Out-of-State Referrals

Let's Talk Placement

Contact Our Admissions Team

Whether you're a referring provider or seeking placement for an adolescent in your care, our admissions team is available to answer questions, verify insurance, and guide you through the process.

Referral sources include, but are not limited to, physicians, social workers, case managers, discharge planners, and CPS/DCS agencies.

Admissions Line713.351.6633

Hospital Program LocationShenandoah, Texas

Residential Treatment LocationSan Antonio, Texas (female adolescents, ages 13-17)

Call us at 713.351.6633
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