Who we serve

Since 1987 Willowglen Academy NJ has been providing specialized treatment services for children aged 10-21 who are experiencing emotional and behavioral disorders.

How we serve

Intensive treatment services are provided in our 40-bed coed residential facility nestled in the pristine hills of rural Sussex County. Two transitional group homes and a third group home for younger children who have developmental issues complete the programming for children referred by Care Management Organizations and Youth Case Management. 

The admission team is the starting place in the Willowglen Academy treatment process. Once a child is admitted they are assigned a clinician that guides them throughout their course of treatment. 

A level system is utilized as the main reinforcement for behavioral change along with staff relationships. These relationships are supportive and therapeutically challenging for the residents. Specific cognitive behavior therapy plans are used in conjunction with the level system.

Willowglen provides a structured environment that emphasizes consistency and treatment that is individual to the unique needs and strengths of the child and his family. Treatment plans focus on skill development, social functioning, daily living skills, individual, group and family therapies.

Master's level clinicians function as leaders of the multi disciplinary treatment teams and coordinate the development and implementation of each individualized plan. A consulting psychologist conducts evaluations and provides consultation to clinical staff. Our consulting psychiatrist conducts psychiatric evaluations, medication reviews, case consultation and staff training. Families are strongly encouraged to participate in treatment planning, family therapy and discharge planning. Evening and weekend hours for clinical staff are scheduled to facilitate the family's involvement in the child's treatment.

Interior Photos

The following services are included but not limited to within our Residential Treatment Services:

• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Family Counseling

Group Counseling:

Groups are held weekly in blocks of 30 to 60 minutes.  Many groups are time limited and issue specific. Cognitive Behavioral psycho-educational experiential approaches are used to address anger management, social skills development, understanding human sexuality, choosing healthy friendships, personal and interpersonal growth and the development of responsible lifestyles. 

Individual Counseling:

Individual sessions are conducted at least twice per week by the consumer's primary mental health clinician.  The clinician is a Master's degree or better, Licensed Independent Practitioner (LIP) or under the direct clinical supervision of a LIP in the field(s) of Professional Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Psychology, Resolution of past traumas, developing sound cognitive and behavioral coping abilities, rational problem solving, encouragement and support to complete treatment, family reunification and/or planning for the future are strongly pursued during the individual sessions. 

Family Counseling:

Over the phone or face to face, the consumer's family/caregiver(s) are engaged in family empowerment with the clinician.  Building upon the strengths and resources of the family culture, all significant-others are considered essential to the successful completion of treatment.  Whether family reunification is to occur or an alternative living arrangement is to be provided, the family/caregiver(s) are encouraged to develop parenting/support skills that provide the necessary structure, nurture, authority and role models for the consumer in treatment.  The long-term success of the treatment received is predicated on strengthening and empowerment of the primary caregiver system. 

Our goal

It is the philosophy of Willowglen Academy that each child can eventually become a productive and stable member of society given that their individual needs are met on a developmental basis during their maturational years.

Funding sources

Contact information

For any additional information including referrals, services, funding, programs and site tours, contact:

Kathleen Quinn, Associate Director / Clinical Supervisor

Willowglen Academy-NJ, Inc. (Newton Campus)

293 Route 206

Newton, NJ  07860

(973) 579-5117 ext. 20