Pediatric & Adolescent Behavioral Health and Psychiatry
Nationally ranked care for children with mental health and behavioral issues
Is your child struggling with emotions or behaviors that seem out of the ordinary? Whether your family is navigating a diagnosis such as anxiety, ADHD or depression – or you’re just beginning to notice changes in your child’s behavior – Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health offers the care and expertise your family needs. Ranked number one in New Jersey for pediatric and adolescent behavioral health by U.S. News & World Report ‘24-’25, we’re here to help your child heal, grow and thrive.
Does Your Child Need Behavioral Health Support?
Children experience emotional and behavioral challenges for many reasons. Identifying these early can make all the difference in helping them feel better and succeed. Below are common conditions we treat, organized by how they typically affect day-to-day functioning:
Everyday Challenges
These conditions can interfere with school, friendships and family life, but they’re often manageable with the right support:
- Parent-child conflicts
- Problems with peer relationships and taking direction
- Stress-related disorders
Moderate Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
These conditions may require structured therapy to improve quality of life and prevent escalation:
- Anxiety: Excessive worry or fear that interferes with daily activities.
- Behavioral issues: Persistent patterns of defiance or aggression toward others.
- Depression: Persistent sadness or hopelessness that affects mood, sleep and energy.
- Impulse control disorders: Difficulty resisting urges or impulses, leading to harmful behaviors.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Repetitive, unwanted thoughts or behaviors that disrupt daily routines.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Trouble focusing, sitting still or controlling impulses.
Complex and Severe Mental Health Needs
These conditions often require intensive or specialized treatment:
- Eating disorders: Challenges with eating, body image and emotional well-being, often requiring multidisciplinary care.
- Hallucinations (hearing voices): Sensory experiences that are not based on reality.
- Bipolar disorder: Conditions that cause extreme mood swings or unpredictable behavior.
- Panic attacks: Sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like a racing heart or difficulty breathing.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Emotional and physical responses to a traumatic event.
- Suicidal thoughts or actions: Expressions of hopelessness or self-harm, requiring immediate intervention.
If your child is experiencing any of these challenges, our team is ready to help.
Brick Psychiatry
1610 Route 88 W Brick, NJ 08724
732-295-6543
Children Outpatient Behavioral Health Therapeutic Nursery & Partial Hospitalization Program
61 Davis Ave, Neptune, NJ 07753
732-869-2784
Christopher Center for Mental Health and Wellness
HOPE Tower, 9th Floor, 19 Davis Ave, Neptune, NJ
732-897-3640
Urgent Care with Behavioral Health Services (ages 16+)
2040 Route 33, Neptune City, NJ 07753
888-878-1503
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
Behavioral Health Support Tailored to Every Level of Need
Our Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer focused, structured therapy for children and adolescents who need more support than traditional outpatient care can provide. IOP bridges the gap between inpatient and outpatient care, helping children with severe conditions stabilize and build coping skills while remaining at home.
What we offer:
- Access to IOP at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
- Individual and group therapy tailored to challenges like ADHD, anxiety, depression and PTSD
- Family counseling to improve communication and strengthen relationships
- Transportation for local families to ease access to care
For children with manageable conditions or those transitioning from more intensive care, our outpatient services provide accessible, personalized treatment. Outpatient services help children continue to grow and heal, offering long-term support and strategies for success in school, at home and in the community.
What we offer:
- Individual therapy for anxiety, stress-related disorders, OCD and more
- Psychiatric evaluations and medication management
- Group therapy programs focusing on peer relationships, parent-child conflicts and social skills
Inpatient care is critical for addressing severe symptoms quickly, ensuring safety and creating a personalized treatment plan. When your child is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, our inpatient care provides immediate, round-the-clock support in a safe and therapeutic environment.
What we offer:
- Acute hospitalization for children and adolescents in partnership with Carrier Clinic.
- Psychiatric evaluations and stabilization for conditions such as severe depression, suicidal thoughts and hallucinations.
- Integrated care addressing both medical and mental health needs for hospitalized children.
Pediatric Behavioral & Psychiatric Care at Hackensack Meridian Health Children's Hospitals
1945 Route 33
Neptune, NJ 07753
732-776-4949
30 Prospect Ave
Hackensack, NJ 07601
551-996-2609
Specialized Pediatric Behavioral Health Programs & Services
Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health offers a comprehensive suite of specialized programs tailored to meet the unique mental health needs of children, teens and families. From early intervention to urgent care, we provide innovative, compassionate support at every level.
The New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (NJPPC) is a grant-funded program that partners with pediatricians across New Jersey to help them screen, diagnose and manage mild to moderate mental health conditions directly in their offices. It involves:
- Collaboration with experts: Pediatricians work with psychiatrists at statewide hubs, including those at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, to enhance care for conditions like anxiety, ADHD and depression.
- A bridging clinic: The PPC ensures continuity of care with a bridging clinic that transitions children to outpatient services, often within a week.
- Comprehensive access: This program is open to all children, improving access to mental health care statewide.
In order for your child to receive services through the NJPPC, their pediatrician needs to be a registered member of the NJPPC. You may direct your child’s pediatrician to this link so they can learn more about the NJPPC and how to register with the program.
Our Behavioral Health Urgent Care in Neptune, NJ, bridges the gap between the emergency department and outpatient services by providing immediate care for urgent psychiatric needs, including:
- Depression, anxiety or stress-related conditions
- Running out of prescribed medication
- Transitioning between providers and requiring an evaluation
This service offers short-term treatment and assessments for urgent needs, helping families avoid emergency department visits while receiving specialized psychiatric care.
Our Adolescent Addiction Therapy Program offers early intervention for teens with mild to moderate substance use disorders. Through individual and group therapy, we help adolescents develop healthier coping mechanisms and restore their sense of well-being.
The Pathways to Recovery Youth program provides early assessment for mental health and substance use disorders in collaboration with family health centers and emergency departments.
Our specialized eating disorder services include:
- Evaluation and treatment: Pre- and post-operative therapy for patients considering bariatric surgery, ensuring realistic expectations and emotional readiness.
- Half-day clinics: Focused evaluations for bariatric and oncology patients, coordinated with surgery and oncology teams.
Why Choose Us for Pediatric Behavioral Health?
Your child deserves access to leading pediatric psychiatrists and behavioral health specialists. Choosing Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health for pediatric behavioral health support means you get:
