Montville Adolescent Center
53 Indian Ln E, Towaco, NJ 07082
OPEN 24/7 | PRIVATE ROOMS | SAME DAY ADMITS
Montville Adolescent Center in New Jersey is a detox and residential treatment facility designed to meet the specific needs of adolescents struggling with substance use disorders. Located in Morris Township, this center is a vital resource for families seeking specialized care for their teenagers.
Our facility, designed with the nuanced needs of adolescents in mind, offers both detoxification and residential treatment services tailored to the unique challenges faced by teenagers in this critical phase of their lives.
Comprehensive Adolescent-Focused Treatment
At the Montville Adolescent Center, we go beyond the traditional bounds of treatment. We believe in nurturing a deep, individual connection with each adolescent and their family, forging a path to recovery that is as much about understanding and empathy as it is about medical care. Our approach is centered on empowering our young clients, equipping them with the vital skills needed not just for overcoming behavioral health concerns but for thriving in their everyday lives.
Our center caters to adolescents between 13 and 17, offering various services tailored to this age group. We understand the importance of addressing the unique challenges teens face during their recovery journey. To this end, our services include age-appropriate medical detoxification and residential treatment programs, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery.
Professional Team
Our team of caring medical and clinical professionals has decades of combined experience providing safe and comfortable treatment options. We are ready to help you heal.
Comprehensive Services
Montville Adolescent Center experience was created by top addiction treatment professionals and using extensive feedback from clients to create a truly unique and highly effective program.
Highest Standards
We are fully licensed by the State of New Jersey. We have also received the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation for a healthcare facility.
Beautiful Facility
We do everything we can to ensure that our clients have access to all of the comforts of home while going thought our program.
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Our Program
At our center, we embrace a nuanced and multifaceted approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment specifically tailored for adolescents. Our strategy goes beyond conventional methodologies, combining evidence-based therapies with medical supervision and counseling. This holistic approach was designed to address not just the physical dependency of addiction but also its profound psychological and emotional impact.
Our team includes licensed therapists, seasoned medical experts, and dedicated addiction specialists. Each member brings their expertise and compassion to the forefront, ensuring that every adolescent in our care receives a treatment experience that is as unique as their story.
We delve deep into crafting a personalized recovery journey for each young individual, integrating educational support and life skills training. This individualized approach equips our adolescents for a future full of promise and potential. At our core, we are committed to helping our clients walk a path to recovery that is both healing and transformative, laying the groundwork for a happy and fulfilling life.
Our unique clinical program is designed for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, a demographic often overlooked in the realm of addiction treatment. Our approach is multifaceted and profoundly transformative, focusing on not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of behavioral health issues.
At the core of our program is a distinctive four-pronged treatment strategy:
- Psychoeducation — We begin with an essential foundation of psychoeducation, teaching our young participants about wellness, addiction, and recovery. This is crucial as many adolescents enter our program without a clear understanding of these critical aspects.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — CBT plays a pivotal role in our approach, helping participants reframe and redirect their thought processes, which is crucial in battling addictive behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills — Given the high prevalence of co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in our adolescent clients, DBT skills are employed to aid in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and the development of mindfulness.
- Family Systems Therapy — Recognizing the significant influence of family dynamics, we integrate family systems therapy to improve communication and interactions within the family unit.
What sets our adolescent program apart is the recognition that each young person’s journey is distinct. Thus, we tailor our approach to meet their needs, fostering skills and resilience essential for long-term recovery. Our program schedule is robust, blending traditional therapy with creative and engaging activities like music, art, and movement therapy. This diverse approach ensures that therapy doesn’t feel like a chore, instead offering a holistic and enjoyable healing process.
Understanding the critical role of family, we involve the loved ones of our clients throughout the treatment process, from initial consultations to discharge planning. This ensures a supportive environment for the adolescent post-treatment and helps families adapt to the changes and challenges that go hand-in-hand with recovery.
We accept a broad spectrum of clients, including non-binary and trans adolescents. This commitment to inclusivity extends to our aftercare planning, where we prepare for the client’s departure from day one, ensuring a seamless transition and continued support.
In essence, our program is not just about treating behavioral health concerns; it is about transforming young lives through a comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized approach that equips them with the tools for a healthier, brighter future.
Detoxification
- Duration: Typically 3-4 days, potentially longer depending on client need.
- 24/7 medical care with nurses, a medical director, and nurse practitioners.
- Medication-assisted treatment to stabilize symptoms.
- Daily therapist or counselor sessions.
- Bed Capacity: Licensure currently permits 5 beds.
Residential Care
- Ideal Duration: Typically 28 days.
- Structured daily schedule, including therapy, creative arts, recreation, mindfulness, and group activities.
- Academic support for 2 hours daily in coordination with the school district.
- Bed Capacity: Licensure currently permits 25 beds.
The purpose of our detox program is medical stabilization. Adolescent clients are treated by a team of compassionate medical professionals, as they are safely guided through the withdrawal process. Our goal in residential treatment is to emotionally stabilize our clients enough for discharge to outpatient care, where long-term work occurs. Our program is designed to typically last 28 days, provided a total length of stay is completed. We aim to help teens maximize their experience and reduce the likelihood of needing additional care in the future. If a treatment team isn’t already in place before admission, our case manager will work to find a provider and/or treatment team before discharge.
Teens are assessed and evaluated by our treatment team within 24 hours of arrival. Since our team operates 7 days a week, evaluations and assessments happen on weekdays and weekends. After meeting with the teen,, the treatment team will formulate a working diagnosis.
Guardian provides structure, education, support, medication, and daily monitoring. Teens follow a structured schedule, including a daily medical check-in, two hours of limited academics for attendance credit, individual therapy, recreation, and various group therapies. Our groups cover psychoeducation, coping skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), creative arts therapy, and family therapy. The goal of detox and residential treatment isn’t to delve deep but to stabilize teens for outpatient treatment, where the long-term journey begins.
At the Montville Adolescent Center, we recognize the vital role that families play in the recovery process. Our approach involves active family participation, offering family therapy sessions, virtual support groups and psychoeducational programs. These initiatives are designed to repair and strengthen familial bonds and support a sustainable recovery path.
We provide family counseling and education, helping relatives understand substance use and setting healthy boundaries. Through joint counseling sessions, families can heal together and foster a safe and supportive environment. We orchestrate conferences with the treatment team and family members of our clients at the beginning and at the end of their stay. This way, families have contact with all members of the team and are aware of the planning and strategy for discharge.
Parental Support
At Montville Adolescent Center, we understand that having a teen in an addiction treatment program can be a challenging and emotional journey for parents and families. Experiencing intense emotions, including shame, guilt, fear, anger, sadness, and relief, is common. Acknowledging and processing your feelings is a crucial step in effectively supporting your teen. Regardless of your emotions, remind yourself that your teen is in a safe environment.
To support you through this process, we offer several valuable resources designed to provide guidance, support, and education. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. The Montville Adolescent Center is committed to supporting not only your teen but your entire family through this process.
- Community Resources and Referrals to Local Services: Guidance and referrals to local community services and programs that can provide additional support.
- Integrated Family Therapy Sessions: Scheduled family therapy sessions that include the adolescent client, focusing on healing and rebuilding family relationships.
- Family Workshops: Interactive workshops providing tools and strategies for effective parenting during and after your teen’s treatment.
- Peer Support Groups: Opportunities to connect with other parents who have experienced similar challenges, to share insights, and offer mutual support.
The Montville Adolescent Program incorporates a comprehensive and multifaceted therapeutic approach to support the recovery and well-being of its clients. This approach includes a variety of evidence-based therapies and activities designed to address the complex needs of adolescents undergoing treatment.
- Psychoeducation.
- DBT skills including Emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
- Creative arts therapy.
- Functional Integrated Therapy
- Individual and group therapy sessions.
- Family therapy and support groups.
Below is a breakdown of our therapeutic services.
Psychoeducation
Psychoeducation is an integral part of the program, providing residents and their families with essential information about mental health conditions, treatment processes, and strategies for managing symptoms. This educational component ensures that residents are well-informed about their conditions and the skills they need to manage them.
The program places a strong emphasis on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These skills are vital in helping adolescents navigate the challenges of recovery. Emotion regulation teaches individuals how to manage and respond to intense emotions effectively. Distress tolerance equips them with tools to tolerate and survive difficult situations without resorting to harmful behaviors. Mindfulness encourages a heightened state of awareness and presence, aiding in overall mental clarity and focus
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
A central component of the program’s therapeutic offerings is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill development. DBT helps teens learn and apply skills for managing emotions, handling stress, improving relationships, and practicing mindfulness. These skills are particularly effective in aiding adolescents in understanding and coping with their feelings, fostering resilience and emotional stability.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is another cornerstone of our treatment program. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It empowers adolescent clients to recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts, contributing to more positive behaviors and coping strategies. This therapy is highly effective in treating a range of issues, including substance misuse, depression, and anxiety.
Creative Arts Therapy
Creative arts therapy is another innovative aspect of our treatment program, providing a non-verbal outlet for expression and self-exploration. Through activities like painting, drawing, music, and drama, clients can explore their emotions and experiences creatively, often finding it easier to express themselves through art than words.
Functional Integrated Therapy
Functional integrated therapy is utilized to increase body awareness, functional movement, physical and emotional flexibility to reduce inner conflict and emotional discomfort to help and enhance the brain’s ability to respond to the stress and challenges of substance recovery.
Individual and Group Therapy
Both individual and group therapy sessions are offered, allowing residents to receive personalized attention and benefit from peer support. Individual therapy provides a private space for residents to work through personal issues, while group therapy offers a supportive environment to share experiences and learn from others.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is crucial in involving family members in the recovery process. These sessions help families understand the challenges their loved ones are facing and teach them how to provide effective support. The program recognizes that family involvement is essential for successful recovery and long-term well-being.
The Montville Adolescent Program offers a thoughtfully designed facility to ensure the comfort and safety of its residents. We provide separate floors designated for male and female residents. This separation is crucial in providing a comfortable and secure environment, catering to the specific needs and privacy of each individual.
A key aspect of our facility’s design is the strategic location of detox beds. These beds are positioned close to the nursing station, allowing for continuous and close monitoring. This proximity is essential for the safety and well-being of residents undergoing detoxification, ensuring that medical staff can promptly respond to any needs or emergencies. The nursing team’s immediate availability plays a vital role in delivering effective and compassionate care during this critical phase of treatment.
The program also recognizes the importance of leisure and relaxation in the recovery process. To this end, the facility includes a variety of recreational spaces. There’s a recreational room where residents can engage in various activities, a game room equipped with entertaining and interactive games, and a lounge area for relaxation and social interaction. These areas are designed to balance fun, relaxation, and socialization, which are crucial for holistic healing and recovery. Each day, teens can participate in various recreational activities like yoga, music, dance, and workouts in our gym facility at our New Pathways Outpatient Center, conveniently located a few miles away.
Accommodation options are flexible, with both single and double rooms available. This variety allows residents to choose the best option for their comfort and privacy needs. Single rooms offer more privacy and personal space, while double rooms provide an opportunity for companionship and peer support. This choice is particularly appreciated by the younger residents, who often find comfort in having a roommate during their stay.
Overall, the Montville Adolescent Program’s facility is carefully crafted to provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. The thoughtful arrangement of living spaces, coupled with the availability of recreational areas, contributes significantly to the holistic well-being and recovery of its residents.
Our Admissions Process
At Guardian Recovery, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our goal is to minimize stress during this potentially challenging time, making the transition into our program as smooth as possible.
- Contact Us
Whether you reach out by phone, form, or text, we are standing by to help you find a treatment plan that is right for you. - Initial AssessmentWe ask a series of questions during our first conversation, ensuring you are paired with a program that meets all of your unique needs.
- AdmissionsFrom travel plans to insurance coverage, Guardian Recovery will assist you through each step of the process.
Explore The Montville Adolescent Center
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Frequently Asked Questions
All visitors must be approved by the clinical staff. Visitors are limited to family members and guardians at least 18 years of age. All visitors are required to attend a Family Support Session before their assigned visitation. Visitation is scheduled on Sundays from 1pm to 3:30pm. Families and Guardians are prohibited from taking clients off-site for any reason.
All mail and packages can be sent to your teen’s attention at Guardian Recovery Montville Adolescent Center, 53 Indian Lane East, Towaco, NJ 07082. All packages will be opened and inspected by staff.
To ensure the safety of all clients, we have Program Agreements and rules that we will review with both you and your teen at admission and throughout their stay.
The doctor is required to discuss medication changes with parents or guardians prior to implementing anything. If your teen already has a psychiatrist, be sure to sign an ROI to ensure that we can make contact throughout the stay. Besides knowing your teen better than the inpatient doctor, your teen’s psychiatrist will also be responsible for monitoring the effects of any medication changes over the long haul, so communication is important.
On the day your teen is admitted to the Detox or Residential Unit, our team, led by the case manager, will begin to plan their discharge or “step-down” to an outpatient program based on their progress, needs, and family resources.
Guardian Recovery has several options for adolescent outpatient services. No matter if your teen continues with Guardian Recovery or chooses to seek treatment with another provider, discharge planning will be discussed and confirmed during your weekly calls and at your Family Therapy Sessions. Be sure to request copies of the discharge instructions that tell you what to do and sign a release indicating you would like the discharge summary when it is ready and to whom you want it sent.
We provide family therapy, support groups, and visitation options.
Family involvement is a pivotal aspect of our treatment process, recognizing that the family unit plays a crucial role in the successful recovery and reintegration of our participants. During treatment, we engage families through several key initiatives. Firstly, families are involved from the beginning through initial consultations and entry conferences, where they are introduced to the treatment plan and the team responsible for their child’s care. This involvement continues with regular updates and meetings, ensuring that families are informed and active participants in the recovery journey.
Additionally, we offer dedicated family therapy sessions, both virtually and in-person, providing a space for open communication and addressing any underlying issues within the family dynamics. Our program also includes family support groups, which serve as a resource for education, sharing experiences, and mutual support among families undergoing similar challenges.
Moreover, toward the end of the treatment, discharge conferences are held to discuss post-treatment plans and strategies for reintegrating the child into the family environment. This comprehensive approach to family involvement not only aids in recovery but also fosters a supportive and understanding environment at home, which is crucial for long-term success.
We coordinate with schools for academic credits and offer online schooling options.
Academic coordination is a fundamental component of our program, ensuring that adolescent clients maintain their educational progress while undergoing treatment. Recognizing the importance of continuing education, we have established a robust system to integrate academic learning into the recovery process.
We actively collaborate with each client’s home school district to facilitate attendance credits and ensure alignment with their academic curriculum. This includes coordination for both general education and special education needs. For clients who may have been out of the school system, we offer access to an online schooling platform, providing an alternative route to continue their education. This platform, called ‘Advantages,’ allows clients to engage in a flexible and tailored educational experience.
Additionally, we allocate dedicated time each day for academic pursuits, including two hours of structured academic and physical education activities. Our approach ensures that while our clients focus on their recovery, they do not fall behind academically, enabling a smoother transition back to their regular school environment post-treatment. This holistic approach to treatment and education underscores our commitment to the overall well-being and future success of our adolescent clients.
When your child returns home after treatment, it is vital to create a supportive and stable environment to facilitate their continued recovery. Here are some steps to consider:
- Establish Clear Communication: Open and honest dialogue is crucial. Encourage your child to express their feelings and experiences and listen actively. This helps in building trust and understanding.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that recovery is a gradual process. There might be challenges along the way, so it’s important to set realistic expectations and be patient.
- Maintain Consistent Boundaries: Establish clear rules and consequences that are fair and consistent. This helps your child understand expectations and creates a sense of structure.
- Encourage Healthy Habits: Promote a healthy lifestyle through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. These habits can significantly impact mental and physical well-being.
- Support Ongoing Therapy and Meetings: Encourage your child to continue with therapy sessions or support group meetings. Ongoing professional support is vital for sustained recovery.
- Stay Informed and Educated: Educate yourself about addiction and recovery. The more you understand, the better you can support your child.
- Build a Supportive Network: Encourage positive relationships with family and friends. A strong support network is essential for your child’s recovery.
- Plan for Challenges: Discuss and plan for potential triggers or challenging situations. Having a plan can help your child feel more prepared to face difficulties.
- Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate milestones and progress in your child’s recovery journey, no matter how small they may seem.
- Take Care of Yourself: Remember to take care of your own mental and emotional well-being. Seeking support for yourself can also be beneficial.
Remember, your support and understanding play a significant role in your child’s journey to recovery. Creating a nurturing and positive home environment can make a significant difference in their ongoing success.
Meet our team
Colleen Wagner
Executive Director - PhD, LMHC, LPC, NCC
Melissa Thalia Zea
LAC, M.A
Laura Lauritano
Director of Nursing
Fred Crotchfelt
Executive Chef