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Ethics and Transparency in Teen Behavioral Health: How SunCloud Health Sets a Higher Standard

When teenagers struggle with mental health challenges, behavioral issues, or substance use, parents often face difficult decisions about how to get them the help they need. The teen behavioral health treatment industry has come under fire in recent years for unethical practices and lack of oversight, leaving families wary of placing their trust in treatment providers.

At SunCloud Health, we understand these concerns. As a provider of behavioral health treatment programs, we are committed to a higher standard of care that prioritizes ethics, evidence-based practices, and collaboration with families. By addressing systemic issues in the industry, we aim to provide a safer, more transparent alternative for teens and their families.

The Need for Reform in the Teen Treatment Industry

The teen behavioral health treatment industry has long been plagued by troubling practices. While many facilities operate responsibly and provide life-saving care, the lack of consistent regulation has allowed some organizations to exploit families in crisis.

Systemic Issues in the Industry

  1. Lack of Federal Oversight
    The regulatory environment for teen behavioral health facilities varies widely by state, and many programs operate with little to no federal oversight. This patchwork approach leaves gaps that unethical operators can exploit, leading to substandard care and, in some cases, outright harm.
  2. Profit-Driven Practices
    Some facilities prioritize financial gain over patient welfare, enrolling more teens than they can effectively treat or cutting corners to reduce costs. These practices undermine the quality of care and erode trust in the industry as a whole.
  3. Abuse and Neglect
    Reports of abuse and neglect within certain programs have come to light in recent years, prompting calls for greater accountability. Survivors have described experiences ranging from emotional mistreatment to physical harm, often in environments lacking proper safeguards.
  4. Ineffective Treatment Models
    Programs that rely on punitive or outdated treatment approaches fail to address the root causes of a teen’s struggles. Instead of fostering healing, these methods can exacerbate mental health issues and create lasting trauma.

Advocacy for Change

High-profile advocacy, such as Paris Hilton’s campaign for reform and recent documentaries exposing industry failings, has drawn much-needed attention to these issues. These efforts have spurred legislative initiatives aimed at increasing transparency, accountability, and ethical standards across the industry.

How SunCloud Health Stands Apart

At SunCloud Health, we believe in a model of care that addresses these systemic challenges while providing effective, compassionate treatment for teens. Although we currently focus on outpatient care, our approach reflects a commitment to ethical principles that would extend to any future programs, including residential care.

Teen Treatment Programs Rooted in Ethics

Our teen programs, including Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP), emphasize safety, transparency, and family involvement. These programs allow teens to receive intensive care during the day while returning home to their families in the evening. This structure minimizes the risks associated with removing teens from their familiar environments while ensuring that parents remain closely involved in their care.

Evidence-Based Therapies

SunCloud Health prioritizes proven, research-backed treatment modalities tailored to each teen’s individual needs.

These include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping teens develop healthier thought patterns and coping skills.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaching emotional regulation and relationship-building skills.
  • Family Therapy: Strengthening the family unit to provide a stable foundation for recovery.
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Addressing past trauma in a safe and supportive environment.

A Commitment to Accountability

SunCloud Health is accredited by the Joint Commission, a gold standard in healthcare quality. This accreditation underscores our commitment to ethical practices, transparency, and continuous improvement. Families can trust that our programs are held to the highest standards of care.

Proven Results

Our focus on outcomes ensures that teens and their families experience meaningful, lasting improvements. By tracking patient satisfaction and treatment success, we demonstrate the real-world impact of our programs while continuously refining our approach.

Looking Toward the Future of Teen Behavioral Health Treatment

As the behavioral health industry evolves, SunCloud Health remains committed to addressing systemic problems and setting a new standard for care. While controversies have cast a shadow over certain types of programs, such as residential treatment and wilderness therapy, we believe these models can be effective when implemented responsibly and ethically.

A Call for Reform

SunCloud Health supports efforts to improve regulation and oversight within the industry. By advocating for policies that protect vulnerable teens and ensure accountability, we contribute to a safer, more effective system of care.

A Vision for Ethical Residential Treatment for Teenagers

Residential treatment has the potential to provide invaluable support to teens when it is implemented responsibly and guided by ethical principles. Effective residential care should integrate evidence-based practices, prioritize safety, and actively involve families throughout the process. By adopting a thoughtful and transparent approach, the industry can restore trust and ensure that residential programs meet the highest standards of care.

Addressing Parent Concerns

We understand that negative publicity about the teen treatment industry can make parents hesitant to seek care for their child. At SunCloud Health, we address these concerns by fostering trust and ensuring a positive, transparent treatment experience.

Transparency and Collaboration

Parents are essential partners in the treatment process. From the initial assessment to ongoing progress updates, we keep families informed and involved every step of the way. This collaborative approach reassures parents that their child is receiving the highest quality care.

Safety and Ethics as Priorities

Our programs are designed with safety and ethics at the forefront. Whether through outpatient care or any future residential offerings, we are dedicated to creating environments where teens can heal without fear of mistreatment or neglect.

Focusing on the Individual

Every teen is unique, and so is their treatment journey. By tailoring care to each individual’s needs, we empower teens to build resilience, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and achieve long-term success.

A Partner Families Can Trust

The challenges facing the teen behavioral health treatment industry are significant, but they are not insurmountable. By prioritizing ethics, transparency, and evidence-based care, SunCloud Health sets a model for responsible treatment. For parents seeking help for their struggling teen, we offer more than just a program—we offer a partnership built on trust, compassion, and a shared commitment to recovery. Together, we can navigate the complexities of adolescent mental health and create a brighter future for your family.

Don’t wait to give your teen the support they deserve. Reach out to SunCloud Health now to start a journey toward healing and growth.

Contact SunCloud Health today to schedule a consultation or learn more about our adolescent programs. Contact Us or Call  (844) 441-2286

Rachel Collins, LCSW
Site Director of Northbrook PHP and IOP

Rachel Collins, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Northbrook Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for both adolescents and adults. Rachel earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to complete her master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. She has since worked in a wide range of settings, including inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, therapeutic group homes, and private practice. Rachel specializes in treating trauma (using Cognitive Processing Therapy) and anxiety, practicing through a relational, compassionate, and client-centered lens. She is passionate about creating a therapeutic space in which clients feel safe and able to explore various parts of themselves with curiosity as opposed to judgement. In addition to her leadership and clinical work, she is passionate about creating art, and learning about the intersection between creativity and mental health.

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW
Site Director, Naperville PHP/IOP (Adolescents & Adults)

Kayla Corirossi, MA, LCSW, is the Site Director of SunCloud Health’s Naperville Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) programs for adolescents and adults. She brings extensive experience working with individuals across the lifespan, including adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations, and specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, trauma, substance use, family systems, forensic populations, and individuals in crisis.

Kayla has worked in a wide range of clinical and community settings, including community-based interventions, police crisis response, correctional facilities, inpatient treatment, PHP/IOP programs, and with vulnerable and underserved populations. In addition to her clinical and leadership work, she is passionate about providing mental health education and advocacy within the community.

Kayla earned her Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Aurora University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Forensic Social Work, also at Aurora University. Her clinical approach is evidence-based, compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative, emphasizing collaboration and individualized care.

Driven by a personal mission to meet individuals where they are, Kayla is committed to helping clients feel safe, supported, and understood. She strives to create a natural and empathetic healing environment while ensuring individuals from all backgrounds and identities know they are not alone and have access to meaningful resources and support.

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services
Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award. Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita came to Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders. Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making. She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!   VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services  
Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.

VIDEO: 2. Meet Lacey Lemke, PsyD.