Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services

Throughout Jersey City Medical Center, our number one priority is to keep our patients healthy and safe. We have put several new policies and procedures in place to create a safer environment for everyone.

In-person individual evaluations and sessions are offered, by appointment only, and adhere to guidance and established criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Telehealth services are also offered for all of child behavioral health services. For all our safety precautions, please visit rwjbh.org/welcomeback.

We provide a number of behavioral health services to children and adolescents in the community. A wide variety of outpatient services are available depending on the child’s or family’s needs. See below for our services and programs.

Child and Adolescent Outpatient ServicesChild and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services

We offer individual, family and group therapies on an outpatient basis for clients with mental health/ behavioral health issues ranging in age from four to eighteen years old. Common issues we treat include:

  • Depression and anxiety-related symptoms
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and impulsivity
  • Trauma-related symptoms
  • Grief and traumatic loss
  • Family conflict or changes to the family system
  • LGBTQ+ related stressors and identity-related issues
  • Poor self-image/esteem
  • Adjustment disorders
  • Behavior-related issues in the community or school setting

Our goal is to partner with the individual and their family to identify strengths and provide tools that can help the family be successful in all aspects of day to day life.

We have specialists in trauma, anxiety, depression, school-related anxiety/stress, and play therapy on staff, including bilingual clinicians and certified child psychiatrists. Our specialized groups are based on need and include bereavement, social skills, self-esteem, and parent groups.

For a first time appointment, call: The Access Center at 201-915-2272.

The Therapeutic Nursery Program

This three-and-a-half to five-hour therapeutic program services pre-K children experiencing emotional and behavioral concerns that require more support than once a week outpatient visits. Children attend daily in a group format providing up to 30 hours a week of intensive therapy and psychoeducational experiences in a child-friendly, engaging, preschool-type setting. The highly qualified and trained staff utilized evidence based and informed curriculum to reduce behavioral issues with a focus on increasing positive behaviors and attachment. All children and families are assigned a licensed therapist, work with our program nurse and are evaluated by our child psychiatrist. The classroom size does not exceed seven children and is always staff by two trained staff at all times. All children are provided with healthy meals that are overseen by our JCMC registered dietitians. Parenting support and family therapy services are also available.

To set up an intake appointment, call: 201-915-2287

Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Programs

Utilizing an evidence-based curriculum, we provide intensive daily programming that help young people and their families conquer emotional and behavioral challenges and live their best possible lives. Our program provides each individual a comprehensive evaluation by a master’s prepared, licensed mental health professional, a certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, plus a thorough health assessment by a registered nurse. All individuals enrolled receive daily group therapies that help the child learns skills that lead them to success in overcoming and managing behavioral health challenges that interfere with daily success. The program incorporates a trauma informed model of care, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques for self-regulation skills and creative arts therapies to help the youth achieve their health goals. All children receive individual therapy, family therapy, intensive case management and medication counseling services in addition to the group therapies offered. All children are provided with healthy meals that are overseen by our JCMC registered dietitians.

We offer the programs below based upon a child’s developmental levels and therapeutic needs.

Child After School Program

This three-and-a-half-hour, five-day-a-week program assists five-and-a-half to twelve-year-old school children with emotional and behavior difficulties that interfere with their day-to-day functioning. Hours are 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Transportation assistance is available for families that qualify.

Child Full Day Programming

This Program are for children ages 5 to 7 who are experience more acute behavioral health struggles that have led them to being placed out of school. This program provides each child with educational instruction for 2 hours of the day with a certified teacher that works closely with the child’s home school district so they do not fall behind while receiving treatment. The goal is for the child to return to the school environment once stabilized and stepped down to a lower level of care. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Transportation assistance is available for families that qualify.

Adolescent After School Program

This is the after-school, three-and-a-half-hour, five-day-a-week program for 13- to 17-year-olds with behavioral health and emotional concerns who are still attending school. Hours are 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Transportation assistance is available for families that qualify.

Adolescent Full Day Programming

This program is for teens ages 13 to 18 who are experiencing acute behavioral health struggles that have led them to being placed out of school. This program provides each individual with educational instruction for 2 hours of the day with a certified teacher that works closely with the teen’s home school district so they do not fall behind while receiving treatment. The goal is for the teen to return to the school environment once stabilized and stepped down to a lower level of care. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Transportation assistance is available for families that qualify.

To set up an intake appointment, call: 201-915-2864.

For detailed information about any of these services, contact:

Marli J. Gelfand, M.A., L.P.C., A.C.S., Director
Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services
Jersey City Medical Center Campus
395 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ
Phone: 201-915-2683
Fax: 201-915-2838