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Referrals From Community Mental Health Services: Bridging the Gap From Community to Care

Jayme Wium
Published: 08/18/2025 | Updated: 08/18/2025
Authored by: Jayme Wium, Writer
Edited by: Aja Chavez, LPCC, LMFT
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When teens enter the juvenile justice system, the focus of their sentence is typically on accountability and working on any potential mental health issues that led to the offending behavior. 

Research indicates that 60-70% of teens in the juvenile justice system meet the criteria for a mental health disorder compared to 20% of the general teen population.¹ Without proper intervention, these young people are at risk of repeated offenses, poor academic outcomes, and long-term emotional struggles.² 

Juvenile court mental health referrals create a bridge between the justice system and behavioral healthcare. When a teen is referred for treatment through the court, they have the opportunity to get help with what’s troubling them, from trauma and depression to emotional dysregulation issues. 

At Mission Prep, we help families, courts, and community agencies find rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders that focus on recovery and building better futures. This guide can work as a useful tool for understanding this form of referrals, exploring:

  • What teen court-ordered therapy entails
  • How juvenile court health referrals work
  • The types of mental health care available for teens after court referrals
  • How juvenile mental health court cases should be handled
  • Ways families can ensure they’re compliant with court orders
  • How Mission Prep can help with rehabilitation programs for juvenile offenders
Juvenile Court Mental Health Referrals

What Is Court-Ordered Adolescent Therapy?

Court-ordered adolescent therapy is set in place by a judge or juvenile court, guiding a structured treatment plan for a teen in the juvenile justice system. This plan can form part of a teen’s official sentence or their probation requirements, especially if the court understands that the offense stemmed from underlying psychological issues. 

Court-ordered therapy for teens is not about punishing a teen. Rather, it’s about aiming to equip them with the skills they need to function better in school, at home, and in the community.³

There are many reasons a young person might receive this mandate. For instance, sometimes it follows repeated school suspensions for aggressive outbursts or chronic truancy linked to anxiety or depression. In other cases, therapy may be ordered after an arrest for vandalism, theft, or fighting, which are behaviors often rooted in poor emotional regulation or unresolved trauma. Additionally, some teens may need support after experiencing abuse or neglect, with sessions that feel supportive and safe.

Juvenile court mental health referrals may lead to a range of interventions, including:

  • Mandated counseling for adolescent offenders to work through anxiety, depression, or impulse control⁴ 
  • DBT for teens in juvenile justice system to teach emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills⁵ 
  • Trauma therapy for court-referred youth to process adverse experiences that may have contributed to risky or illegal behaviors⁶ 
  • Family counseling for court cases to improve communication between the teen and their caregivers⁷

Court-ordered adolescent therapy also sets clear expectations for attendance, participation, and progress. Compliance is monitored closely, ensuring both the court and the family have ongoing updates on the teen’s development.

What Is the Process for Juvenile Court Mental Health Referrals?

The process of juvenile court mental health referrals starts when a court identifies that a teen’s offense may be connected to mental health concerns. For instance, a probation officer, attorney, or judge may request a psychological evaluation to assess the teen’s needs.

Once it’s clear that treatment is warranted, the court issues an order outlining the type of therapy or treatment programs required for court-involved teens. The process typically involves:

  • Assessment and matching: Behavioral health providers evaluate the teen’s needs and recommend the most appropriate program, whether outpatient, partial hospitalization, or inpatient treatment for court-ordered care.
  • Coordination between systems: This stage involves collaboration between probation officers, mental health professionals, and sometimes schools to make sure everyone is working towards a common goal.
  • Enrollment in services: The teen begins therapy, often starting with an intensive phase and then stepping down as progress is made.
  • Ongoing court reporting: Therapists provide written progress notes or testimonies to ensure the teen is meeting the conditions of their mandate.

Mental health support for probation youth also often includes a regular check-in with a therapist and a probation officer. This is to ensure that they’re making progress in treatment, promoting healthier behavior overall in everyday life.

In some jurisdictions, the process also includes a pre-referral conference. This is where court officials, social workers, and family members discuss the teen’s strengths, challenges, and prior treatment history so that the proposed treatment is appropriate.

Understanding the teens’ situation and their history helps prevent unnecessary placements and ensures services are culturally and developmentally appropriate. If specialized interventions are required, such as adolescent anger management mandated programs or trauma therapy for court-referred youth, this is identified early to avoid delays. Upfront clarity such as this allows the treatment plan to be more targeted, increasing the chances of successful rehabilitation.

Types of Inpatient Treatment for Court-Ordered Care for Teens

In some cases, the court may decide that outpatient services aren’t sufficient to meet a teen’s needs. This is where inpatient treatment for court-ordered care comes into play. These programs offer 24/7 supervision, intensive therapy, and a structured environment, which are crucial for teens with significant safety risks or unstable home settings.

Mission Prep offers several forms of inpatient care for court-ordered teens, including:

  • Residential rehabilitation programs: Providing an emphasis on education, emotional regulation, and pro-social behavior.
  • Trauma therapy for court-referred youth: Integrated into daily schedules to address the lingering effects of abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence. It’s trauma-informed, meaning that it reduces the risk of retraumatization.
  • Adolescent anger management programs: Mandated programs designed for teens who struggle with explosive tempers or aggressive responses.⁸
  • DBT for teens in juvenile justice system: Delivered in both group and one-on-one sessions to help manage strong emotions and build resilience.

These programs often include emotional regulation programs for juvenile referrals, giving teens the chance to learn and practice coping strategies in real time. They may also include:

  • Academic tutoring
  • Recreational activities
  • Vocational skills training

How to Handle Juvenile Mental Health Court Cases

For families, understanding how to handle juvenile mental health court cases can feel overwhelming. The legal process may be unfamiliar, and emotions often run high, but they still want to do their best for the teen. 

If your teen has received a court-ordered mental health referral, educating yourself on the process and remaining calm throughout is a good starting point, along with these key principles:

  • Getting legal and mental health advice early: If you want the court to consider a teen’s mental health needs in its orders, it’s recommended to get the services of an attorney who is familiar with behavioral health for juvenile justice referrals early on.
  • Provide evidence of mental health history: To strengthen your teen’s case for therapy focused interventions instead of incarceration, it helps to provide a full history of their mental health. This can include proof of treatment records, past diagnoses, school reports, and so on.
  • Understand the role of compliance: Courts view consistent participation in therapy, whether it’s mandated counseling for adolescent offenders or family counseling for court cases, as a sign of genuine rehabilitation.
  • Play an active role: Attend family sessions, communicate with therapists, and show the court you’re invested in your teen’s progress. You can also continue to advocate for their mental health rights throughout the process. 

In some cases, the court may require adolescent anger management mandated programs or specific emotional regulation programs for juvenile referrals to address identified risk factors. Handling these cases well means seeing the court as a partner instead of an adversary in securing the best possible outcomes for your child.

Tips for Court Compliance with Mental Health Treatment Mandates

According to research, many juvenile mental health courts provide alternatives to incarceration for teens with mental health problems. In these situations, psychiatric treatment often plays a key role.⁹

Court compliance in mental health treatment is critical when aiming to avoid incarceration. Missed sessions, incomplete homework, or failure to engage can result in legal consequences, including extended probation or even detention. To support compliance, aim to:

  • Integrate daily routines around therapy: Make attendance as non-negotiable as school.
  • Track progress visibly: Teens often respond well to seeing their achievements laid out, whether these are skill mastery in DBT for teens in juvenile justice system or goals met in trauma therapy for court-referred youth.
  • Celebrate milestones: Positive reinforcement, even for small wins, helps offset the shame many court-involved youth carry.
  • Collaborate with providers: Keep an open channel with therapists so any obstacles to attendance or engagement are addressed early.

The courts usually appreciate when a family and a teen show that they are taking extra proactive steps towards rehabilitation. These could include:

  • Enrolling in voluntary rehab programs for juveniles
  • Attending extra family counseling (more than mandated)

These actions can lead to better legal outcomes and emotional recovery.

Understanding Juvenile Court Mental Health Referrals: Rehabilitation Programs for Teens

Contact Mission Prep for More Info on Rehabilitation Programs for Juvenile Offenders

At Mission Prep, we understand that when a teen is referred for mental health care through the juvenile court, this can be a turning point. For many families, it is the moment when real change becomes possible. Our approach is hands-on and personal, giving young people the tools they need to make healthier choices and move forward with more confidence.

We stay in close contact with everyone involved in the process (including parents, court representatives, probation staff, and local providers) so the plan stays consistent from start to finish. Our team delivers care that meets legal requirements while also supporting the teen’s personal growth. This might mean dialectical behavior therapy for teens in the juvenile justice system, focused trauma recovery work for court-referred youth, or other proven strategies shaped to fit the situation.

If your teen’s case involves a mental health order from the court, or you need help understanding the steps for treatment compliance, contact our team. We offer rehabilitation programs for young people that aim to rebuild trust, repair relationships, and give them a fair chance at a better future.

References

  1. Duchschere, J. E., Reznik, S. J., Shanholtz, C. E., O’Hara, K. L., Gerson, N., Beck, C. J., & Lawrence, E. (2023). Addressing a mental health intervention gap in juvenile detention: A pilot study. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 8(2), 236–251. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10449374/#:~:text=Abstract,criminal%20justice%20system%20in%20adulthood
  2. Rice, S. M., Baker, D. G., Purcell, R., & Chanen, A. (2024). Offending behaviour and mental ill-health among young people: Reducing recidivism requires integration with youth mental health care. Journal of Global Health, 14(03001), 03001. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10869133/
  3. Yeterian, J. D., Greene, M. C., Bergman, B. G., & Kelly, J. F. (2013). Does mandated treatment benefit youth? A prospective investigation of adolescent justice system involvement, treatment motivation, and substance use outcomes. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 31(4), 431–449. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3804375/
  4. Hachtel, H., Vogel, T., & Huber, C. G. (2019). Mandated treatment and its impact on therapeutic process and outcome factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, 219. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6474319/
  5. Yang, P., Folk, J. B., Lugosi, S. I., Bemat, Z., Thomas, A., & Robles-Ramamurthy, B. (2023). Dialectical behavior therapy in juvenile correctional and detention facilities: A scoping review. Journal of Correctional Health Care: The Official Journal of the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, 29(5), 355–369. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11071110/
  6. Malvaso, C. G., Day, A., & Boyd, C. M. (2024). The outcomes of trauma-informed practice in youth justice: An umbrella review. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 17(3), 939–955. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11413302/
  7. Underwood, L. A., & Washington, A. (2016). Mental illness and juvenile offenders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(2), 228. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4772248/
  8. Goldstein, N. E. S., Giallella, C. L., Haney-Caron, E., Peterson, L., Serico, J., Kemp, K., Romaine, C. R., Zelechoski, A. D., Holliday, S. B., Kalbeitzer, R., Kelley, S. M., Hinz, H., Sallee, M., Pennacchia, D., Prelic, A., Burkard, C., Grisso, T., Heilbrun, K., Núñez, A., … Lochman, J. (2018). Juvenile Justice Anger Management (JJAM) Treatment for Girls: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Psychological Services, 15(4), 386–397. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30382734/
  9. Burriss, F. A., Breland-Noble, A. M., Webster, J. L., & Soto, J. A. (2011). Juvenile mental health courts for adjudicated youth: Role implications for child and adolescent psychiatric mental health nurses. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing: Official Publication of the Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nurses, Inc, 24(2), 114–121. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3807871/