My child was part SAIL program and he was very unhappy. He said that the workers weren't helpful and did nothing besides read from a sheet. When I went there I saw what he was talking about. I was very unhappy and decided that that was not a good place for a youth to be goin ...
About Preferred Behavioral Health
The center prides itself on being diverse and trauma informed. They give help to new parents with culturally unique aspects. They perform the usual joint recovery regimens thanks to their staff of counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. Case management may give some people that extra hand they could benefit from. For those who just never thought to ask, this helping hand may be a lifesaver.
It all starts with an assessment. From there, you can be directed to an appropriate level of care. Your program might take place there or within their broader health network.
This facility gets lower than average reviews. The common theme seems to be administrative inefficiency and lack of billing transparency. It’s an understandable concern shared by those who said they received surprise bills that no one wants or needs, especially when you need to focus on getting sober.
Fact checked and written by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Latest Reviews
I had been asked to give random urine screens to show I’m clean. I was told by Nicole that after I gave her my urines, she would make a recommendation based on what came up in the urines. My urines were CLEAN - and she called me to recommend me to a Level TWO! Not even a Level One. Clean urines - Level Two. It really calls into question how much Preferred actually cares about their clients vs. how much of this is a money grab for their agency. There’s no reason Nicole should have recommended Level Two - unless that was always going to be the recommendation because they want money.
We take your feedback very seriously and understand the importance of compassionate care and professionalism from our team. Please reach out to us at WeCare@preferredbehavioral.org if you would like to discuss your concerns further. Have a good day.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Hello Dan. Thank you for sharing your feedback. We sincerely apologize that our staff did not meet your expectations at Preferred Behavioral Health Group. We are committed to providing the best possible care to all of our patients.We take your feedback very seriously and understand the importance of compassionate care and professionalism from our team. Please reach out to us at WeCare@preferredbehavioral.org if you would like to discuss your concerns further. Have a good day.
Caring and compassionate staff and agency.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you Sandy, for taking the time to leave your kind review! We appreciate your feedback and are very grateful that you had such a nice experience with us. It means a lot to us here at Preferred Behavioral Health Group, where we strive to provide the best possible care at all times!
Es muy buena.
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you, Virginia, for sharing your review. We truly appreciate your kind words and are grateful to hear that you had such a positive experience with us! Your feedback means a great deal to everyone at PBHG, where our goal is always to provide the highest quality care! 
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology
6.1 / 10
Gallery
Accepted Insurance
Geisinger
Health Integrated
Qualcare
Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Employee Assistance ProgramAddiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Intervention services helps family or friends of addicts stage an intervention, which is a meeting in which loved ones share their concerns and attempt to get an addict into treatment. Professional intervention specialists can help loved ones organize, gather, and communicate with an addict. They can guide intervention participants in describing the damage the addict's behavior is causing and that outside help is necessary to address the addiction. The ideal outcome of an intervention is for the addict to go to rehab and get the help they need.
Clients who are exiting inpatient rehab, those who are experiencing crisis, and those who prefer to live at home while in treatment typically enroll in intensive inpatient programs (IOP). These programs feature frequent and robust care, generally requiring clients to participate in at least nine hours of care weekly, though many intensive outpatient rehabs offer up to 20 treatment hours per week. IOP services typically combine individual, group, and family counseling with recovery education and holistic therapies.
Clients often enter inpatient rehab following detox, but they may also enroll during early recovery or at an increased risk of relapse. Inpatient rehabs provide housing, meals, and intensive clinical supervision, allowing clients to focus exclusively on their recovery in a highly structured and supportive environment. Clients typically receive multiple individual, group, and/or family therapy sessions weekly. Many programs also offer extensive addiction education and recovery-focused life skills training. Integrative inpatient rehabs provide holistic therapies as well.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in New Jersey is the process of addressing the complex issues involved with addiction. Challenges are identified and addressed through individual and group counseling. Participants learn how to manage these issues without the use of substances.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in New Jersey typically follows a set structure of treatment. The therapist helps clients identify their life challenges and their thoughts surrounding those challenges. The client then learns to identify unhealthy thought patterns and reshape those into healthy patterns of thinking and behavior.
Amenities
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Private Setting -
Residential Setting -
Private Rooms
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Tara A. Chalakani
CEO
Eric C. Alcera, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Julie Vanore, MPA
COO
Peter Kisylia, MBA, CPA
CFO
Sandy Grebel, LCSW
VP of Children & Family Services
Michelle Hague, MSW, LCSW, LCADC
VP of Quality & Health Integration
Laura Messina, MSW, LCSW, LCADC
VP of Adult Services
Valerie Ortense, MBA
VP of Strategic Development
Accreditations
The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.
CARF Accreditation: Yes
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
Contact Information
591 Lakehurst Road
Toms River, NJ 08755
Get Help Now - 609-493-0698
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