The staff means well but the way the program is structured, I just can't see how anyone can move toward recovery. My dual diagnosis is eating disorder and depression. I was only able to see my therapist for 30min every two weeks. When I requested a weekly hour meeting my th ...
About Rutgers – UBHC – Psychiatric Hospital
Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care is a leading provider of accessible and compassionate behavioral healthcare for individuals and families across New Jersey. They have facilities across three main campuses including this Newark Campus.
They primarily offer mental health support and substance use recovery using clinically proven methods to achieve optimal recovery outcomes. They particularly target the underserved, socially disadvantaged and the very “ill” with limited access to quality care. Being part of a medical school means their staff are trained in the most effective and current approach to recovery.
Wellness Programming and Counseling Support
Rutgers primarily offers specialized student and resident wellness programs. Here, you’ll find the Resident Wellness and Excellence Center (RWEC) and the Resident Assistance Program (RAP). The RWEC serves residents of New Jersey Medical School, while RAP serves those of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The Student Wellness Program or SWP supports all students enrolled in academic programs in the Newark Campus. These programs extend services to family members as well.
The three programs offer free, confidential and tailored counseling that can help you navigate stress. This may be related to residency, school and personal issues impacting your wellbeing, academic performance or overall quality of life. Services encompass prevention-oriented groups and workshops focused on stress & anger management, healthy communication and emotional regulation. Individual, couple and family counseling are accessible too. They offer substance use disorder assessment and referral to appropriate levels of care based on assessed needs.
Crisis Intervention Services
Individuals experiencing acute psychiatric or substance use crises also benefit from the crisis intervention services provided here. This focuses on helping patients stabilize and then connecting them to appropriate treatment for ongoing support. Rutgers also provides an Employment Assistance Program for faculty members, staff and their families.
This promotes a supportive and thriving work environment by helping these individuals take care of professional or personal issues impacting their wellbeing and productivity. This includes issues related to substance misuse and mental health.
Latest Reviews
the experience while my child was there was unacceptable. the treatment was horrible, and the staff were unprofessional gossipers who were invasive and disrespected the children s boundaries and triggers. my child relapsed and ended up back in the hospital due to the treatment and negligence of actual mental health being of priority.i d recommend a different program
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear of your experience at UBHC. We invite you to please reach out to the Patient/Consumer Advocate at 732-235-3921 if you wish to discuss further. Your opinion matters.
I went to their behavior care center HORRIBLE the therapist are so unprofessional also the staff didn t help and they just gossip about each other,I went there for depression I came out even worse,Please don t send your child here.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear of your experience at UBHC. We invite you to please reach out to the Patient/Consumer Advocate at 732-235-3921 if you wish to discuss further. Your opinion matters.
The people in this facility do not answer phone calls immediately. They let it go to voicemail. They do not effectively communicate with one another on a patients medical plan. Ex. You will have to explain to the receptionist, doctor, supervisor one issue repetitively. They do not even allow pharmacists to call in (new policy as of march 2022) They want the mentally Ill patient to do the labor of health care services. You find that coordination of one s medical plan will require you to constantly call or take time away from work to assist them2024 I tried to re-utilize services. I never made it past the third therapy session. The therapist was subpar. The lady had a bad wig, and didn t really care what was being stated. I would never use there services as is. It s a short term facility, no genuine effort to keep ppl stabilized for the long term.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Hello Vie. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We are sorry to hear of your experience at UBHC. We invite you to please reach out to the Patient/Consumer Advocate at 732-235-3921 if you wish to discuss further. Your opinion matters. 
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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.
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.
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.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient 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.
Treatments
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.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult Program
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.
Young Adult Program
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
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
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.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.
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.
Staff
Frank A. Ghinassi, PhD, ABPP
President & CEO
Mary-Catherine Bohan, MSW
VP of Outpatient and Ambulatory Services
Lisa Cox
VP of Operations
J. Chad Knight, MSHA, FACHE
COO
Carl W. O'Brien
CFO
Contact Information
(973) 972-5479 
183 South Orange Avenue
Newark, NJ 07103
Get Help Now - 973-969-2144
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Fact checked and written by:
Chika Uchendu
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS
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