Hunterdon Behavioral Health

Hunterdon Behavioral Health has a wide range of addiction treatment services. These include:

• Outpatient Addictions Counseling Services
• Inpatient Detoxification
• AAIP: Acute Addictions Intervention Program
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Alcohol and Substance Abuse Education Program
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Resource Referral Services

Outpatient Addictions Counseling Services

Counseling services offered:

• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• Urine drug screens
• Couples counseling
• Family counseling
• Substance abuse evaluations

Issues addressed:

• Adolescent issues
• Women’s issues
• Geriatric issues
• Early sobriety
• Relapse prevention
• Long-term recovery
• Co-dependency
• COA (Children of Alcoholics/Addicts)
• ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics/Addicts)
• HIV/AIDS
• Relationship issues
• Family education

Inpatient Detoxification

Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers a three-day medical inpatient detoxification program in our Inpatient Behavioral Health unit.

Inpatient Detoxification includes:

• Assessment
• Individual, group, and family counseling
• Education
• Medical monitoring
• Aftercare referral

Acute Addiction Intervention Program (AAIP)

For individuals who require more intensive substance abuse treatment, Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers AAIP: Acute Addiction Intervention Program.

The AAIP: Acute Addictions Intervention Program:

• Meets 5 days a week for 3 hours each day
• Is available as an alternative to inpatient and residential rehabilitation
• Offers psychiatric treatment for those with a co-existing mental health diagnosis

Intensive Outpatient Program

Sometimes, there is a need for more intensive outpatient treatment.

Our Intensive Outpatient Program:

• Meets 3 evenings per week for 3 hours each night
• Offers group therapy as the primary modality in these programs
• Provides individual and family treatment on an ‘as needed’ basis

Assessment and Evaluation

Our staff of licensed professionals provides individual needs assessments. In collaboration with human service agencies, the court system, and other professionals (physicians, attorneys, school administrators, and others), we provide comprehensive abuse evaluations and effective treatment recommendations.

Resource and Referral Services

The Addictions Treatment staff may provide referrals to:

• Residential addictions programs
• Linkage to community resources
• Other Hunterdon Behavioral Health Services
• Self-help group meetings, including:
  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
  • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
  • Al-Anon Family Groups
  • SMART Recovery®

Hunterdon Behavioral Health Acute Services

Acute Services provides intensive episode-related, short-term outpatient treatment as an alternative or transition from behavioral health and or substance abuse inpatient hospitalization or rehabilitation.

Acute Services treats adults (18 yrs. & older) who have been unable to function effectively due to behavioral health and/or substance misuse issues.

Services include the Acute Partial Hospital (APH), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Acute Addiction Intervention Program (AAIP). Our approach provides additional structure and support for those whose traditional services are less than sufficient to achieve or maintain stability.

Acute Services consists of the most intensive outpatient treatment available. The program provides three to five hours of treatment daily, Monday through Friday.  The full-day program is 9:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. or half day 9:00 a.m. -12 Noon.  Using a multidisciplinary approach, treatment is developed to meet the specific needs and goals of each individual. 

The Care You Need

The staff consists of psychiatrists, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselors, licensed professional counselors and therapists.

Treatments

Our staff are experienced professionals who offer treatment for:

• Mood and anxiety disorders
• Thought disturbances
• Impaired daily functioning
• Transitioning to the community following hospitalization/rehabilitation
• Co-occurring (mental health and substance use) disorders
• Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
• Clients at risk for hospitalization or relapse
• Seriously maladaptive behavior patterns
• Other mental health problems not responsive to less intensive treatment 

Services

• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment (within 3 business days)
• Medication management and monitoring
• Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Substance Use Disorders (SUD)
• Group psychotherapy
• Therapeutic activities
• Co-occurring substance use treatment
• Clinical case management
• Linkage to other outpatient therapies
• Psychoeducation
• Individual psychotherapy as needed
• Family therapy as needed

The Psychiatric Emergency Service at Hunterdon Behavioral Health is a Screening Center for Hunterdon County.

In the event of an emergency, call 908-788-6400.

• Emergency services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Our highly trained staff has extensive experience in crisis intervention strategies.
• We can provide linkage and referral to community agencies as well as to Hunterdon Behavioral Health, upon completion of emergency services.
• We provide consultation and support to family members of individuals in need of mental health services.

Emergency Evaluation Services
Emergency Mental Health Services can be accessed through the Emergency Department at Hunterdon Medical Center. Potential patients receive medical clearance from Emergency Department physicians, who then call for a behavioral health consult from our crisis clinicians.

Mobile Outreach
Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers mobile outreach visits in order to divert individuals from unneeded hospitalizations before they increase in severity. Our experienced outreach clinicians work closely with local police departments to ensure the safety of potential clients and the public.

Hunterdon Behavioral Health’s Day Hospital Program serves a population with severe and persistent mental illness.

Our staff includes experienced professionals in the fields of:

• Psychology
• Social work
• Addictions
• Nursing
• Art therapy

What services are available through the Hunterdon Behavioral Health Day Hospital Program?

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Case Management
• Psychoeducation
• Multi-family group
• Medication management
• Psychiatric monitoring
• Co-occurring Disorders programming
• Pre-vocational training
• Administration of injectable medication
• Team involvement
  • Clients
  • Families
  • Residential Health Care Facilities
  • Easter Seals
  • Community Case Management
  • Community Liaison to Psychiatric Hospitals
  • Community Psychologists and Psychiatrists

The Family Crisis Intervention Unit provides immediate crisis counseling to stabilize family crises, such as family conflict, runaways, threats to the juvenile’s emotional and physical well-being, and truancy.

The Family Crisis Intervention Unit serves as the coordinator and liaison between Hunterdon Behavioral Health, the family and the court system. The result is that these cases are often diverted from the family court system.

Services are free to the public and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 908-237-5525 during business hours and ask for the Family Crisis Intervention Coordinator. 

If immediate assistance is needed, please contact our 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 908-788-6400.

Hunterdon Medical Center provides Adolescent Services to help and support troubled teens. Our specialized adolescent program addresses many of the problems that are unique to this development stage.

Our highly trained, compassionate professionals offer comprehensive services to adolescents and their families. Each individual is given special attention by a multidisciplinary team, which evaluates problems and offers solutions.

Adolescent Outpatient Psychotherapy

Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers outpatient therapy to adolescents ages 8 years and above and their families. The goal is to work toward constructive, productive resolutions.

Therapy services include:

• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• Group therapy

THRIVE Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (Together Helping Reach Individual Victories Everyday)

This intensive after-school therapeutic program is for adolescents experiencing moderate to severe problems including anxiety, depression, mood swings, frequent peer or family conflicts, experimentation with drugs or alcohol, aggressiveness, conduct disturbance, and academic problems.

POPULATION SERVED:

• Adolescents age 12-18 (age 18 is eligible if still in high school or other GED-type program)

• Moderate to severe emotional disturbances including, but not limited to depression, bipolar disorder, suicidal threats, anxiety disorders, aggression, impulsivity, behavior disturbances, homicidal threats, school phobia or other avoidance behaviors, mild to moderate substance use, eating disorders and severe peer or family conflicts

SERVICES PROVIDED:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Multi-Family Group
• Family Therapy
• Psychiatric Evaluation
• Mediation Management
• Case Management
• Crisis Intervention
• Information/Referrals
• Psychoeducation, Wellness, and Expressive Therapy
• Discharge Planning

ADMISSION CRITERIA:

• Your adolescent requires more structure and support than is provided via individual therapy or they are transitioning from an acute care setting (Inpatient or Partial Hospitalization)
• Your adolescent is willing to participate in group treatment and abide by the program policies and rules
• The family is willing to commit to participation in the Intake Assessment, weekly family sessions and the treatment and discharge planning process
• Your adolescent has been diagnosed with a DSM-5 Diagnosis
• Your adolescent has a co-existing substance abuse issue, but not a primary diagnosis of dependence

SCHEDULE DURING SCHOOL YEAR (September to June)

Monday – 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Multifamily Group

Tuesday through Thursday – 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Adolescent Groups

DURING SUMMER (July & August)

Monday – 4:00 pm-7:00 pm Multifamily Group

Tuesday through Thursday – 2:00 pm-5:00 pm Adolescent Groups

**If you would like to receive our THRIVE Program Monthly Newsletter, please fill out form.

Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers Community Outreach Programs that make it possible for individuals and their families whose lives are affected by mental illness or emotional distress to function more fully within the community.

Intensive Family Support Services
Intensive Family Support Services assist families in their understanding of psychiatric disorders and their effects on family life. Intensive Family Support Services provides:

• Psycho-Educational Services

• Support

• Outreach

• Respite Services

Our goal is to form a collaborative, therapeutic alliance with families so that they can increase their knowledge, as well as coping and communication skills. IFSS consults with families about their individual needs. The counselors work with families to reduce isolation and stigma and increase their understanding of mental illness. IFSS is crucial to families so that they do not feel overwhelmed during a time of crisis.

Crisis, Acute, Resources, and Education (C.A.R.E.)
C.A.R.E. is designed to meet the needs of families in the midst of a psychiatric crisis, we provide support in the Emergency Services Screening Center. The goal of the program is to provide immediate support to families, linkages with community resources including NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and all the services IFSS provides.

Psychoeducational Services
When a family member has been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, you will likely have many questions. Our staff provides collaborative and educational services to help you understand this disorder more thoroughly and how to best handle its impact on your family.

Community Education Workshops
Hunterdon Medical Center offers a series of educational workshops on a wide range of mental health issues. Speakers are also available to give presentations to local community groups and agencies on various mental health topics of interest.  For more information, call (908) 788-6401 ext. 3006 or 3029.

Self Help Center
The Getting Together Self-Help Center offers individuals who are (or who have previously been) receiving mental health services invaluable opportunities for socializing, self-help, and advocacy. The Center provides a comfortable, educational and leisurely environment to help patients reach common goals to positively influence their lives. For more information, call (908) 806-8202.

Older Adult Program
Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers counseling and advocate services to help older adults live independently and remain self-sufficient. Our Older Adult Program provides linkage to community aging services, as needed. This program is for Hunterdon residents only and individuals over 60 years of age. For more information, call 908-237-2364 or 908-788-6401 Ext. 3002.

Caregiver Support

Hunterdon Behavioral Health offers monthly meetings to caregivers of older adults. These meetings provide great opportunities to meet with other caregivers and to discuss common topics of concern. Due to COVID-19, these support groups are now meeting virtually online.

The Caregiver Support Group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m.

The Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Caregiver Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.

Please call 908-237-2364 or 908-788-6401 Ext. 3002 or email jkucsan@hhsnj.org or enakahara@hhsnj.org for more information. 

Respite Services
Hunterdon Behavioral Health provides recreational and social activities for individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis. Respite services offer families a break from the emotional and physical toll of caring for these patients.

Career Services (known as Pathways Employment Services)

HBH Career Services is a grant-funded program assisting individuals with psychiatric and co-occurring disorders to obtain and maintain competitive employment. Pathways provides the following individualized services:

• Career Readiness Assessments
• Job seeking assistance 
• Cover letter/resume writing
• Individual and group counseling
• Ongoing job support
• Benefits Counseling
• Assistance in developing natural supports in the workplace

For more information on Career Services, call 908-237-2318.

Hunterdon Behavioral Health partners with area schools to provide comprehensive case management and supportive counseling for adolescents.

Our School-Based Youth Services are provided on-site at schools and drop-in centers within the community.

School-Based Youth Services include:

• Supportive vocational counseling

• Recreation

• Health referrals

• Behavioral health assessment

For more information about School-Based Youth Services, call 908-788-6401 or 1-866-HBH-2060.

Hunterdon Behavioral Health was granted funding by the State of New Jersey to implement the Involuntary Outpatient Commitment (IOC) Program in Hunterdon County.

This program has been established as an alternative to inpatient commitment and there are criteria that have to be met for a consumer to be appropriate for the IOC program. Consumers must be Hunterdon County residents and have a primary mental health diagnosis, although there can be secondary substance abuse diagnoses. Consumers should have an established residence in Hunterdon County, homelessness is an exclusionary criterion. The crux of the program is that consumers need to meet the criteria for dangerousness in the foreseeable future, meaning that the identified consumer would be a danger to themselves, others or property, by reason of mental illness. If a consumer is imminently dangerous, he/she would not be appropriate for the program. The consumer should also have a history of success in treatment. The goal of the program is to keep consumers from being re-hospitalized and/or incarcerated. The consumer is court-ordered to IOC status and must follow the treatment plan that has been established for him/her.

Hunterdon County IOC operates in a case management model. There is a full-time coordinator, a case manager, and a half-time peer support specialist to assist consumers in complying with his/her treatment plan. IOC will follow the consumer through their treatment, and have regular contact with the treatment team, support, and the Court. IOC will be utilizing a Wellness and Recovery Model to enable the consumer to remain in the community. IOC will meet with the consumer as often as needed to ensure compliance with the treatment plan. In the event that the consumer becomes imminently dangerous, the Screening Center will be notified 24 hours a day.

IOC is available 24 hours a day to take referrals to the program. Referrals will come from the Screening Center or inpatient units. There is a 24-hour referral line which is 908-303-8167. Non-referral calls can be made at any time by calling 908-237-6024.

Opioid overdose and addiction have become an epidemic in New Jersey and nationwide. With so many overdoses occurring across New Jersey, the need for prompt, compassionate, evidenced-based intervention has been recognized. With the assistance of a grant from the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Hunterdon Medical Center has implemented the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program in Hunterdon County.

The program consists of Recovery Specialists and peer support, readily available to respond when a patient experiencing an opioid overdose is reversed in the Emergency Department or community. Peer Recovery Specialists are uniquely qualified to connect with consumers revived from an overdose as they bring their own personal experiences, struggles and successes with overcoming addiction and/or other mental health challenges in their lives. They serve as recovery coaches and provide non-clinical support for an individual, empowering them to make self-determined choices about their own personal path toward recovery. Their ongoing support while an individual is navigating a health system where so many others are competing for the same resources is invaluable.

The program also consists of a Navigator, a full-time professional case manager, who provides long-term case management services in the life domains of treatment program linkage, housing, healthcare, legal, employment, and family needs. Working closely with individuals, families, treatment programs and medical providers to ensure the best coordination of care for long-term wellness is a key function of the Navigator. The Navigator also serves as a “recovery coach,” providing guidance, support and encouragement throughout the journey of recovery.

The goal of the Opioid Overdose Recovery Program at Hunterdon Medical Center is to release survivors from the vicious cycle of addiction, increasing the person’s chances of successful recovery and reintegration into the community.

For more information, call 908-788-6401 ext. 6027.