First Step Counseling Services

Metuchen, New Jersey

16 Wernik Pl
Metuchen, NJ 08840

(732) 549-0401
3.4 (11 reviews)

About First Step Counseling Services

First Step Counseling in Metuchen, New Jersey provides mental health care and addiction recovery support for youth and adults. Court mandated services are available.

Counseling and recovery education programs are offered for individuals and groups in an outpatient setting. They also prioritize family education and counseling to ensure you have a strong and healthy support system to help you maintain your sobriety over the long term.

Their facility is wheelchair accessible. A urine screening may be required in some cases of court mandated programs. You can ask their staff about telehealth options for remote aftercare and long term checkups.

They emphasize psychological screenings and mental health counseling to support clients’ emotional wellbeing. I like that they have gender separate support groups and programs for members of the LGBTQ+ community and caregivers of the elderly who often have special emotional needs that go unrecognized.

One patient said their counselor helped them make a personal breakthrough during their regular meetings by gaining her trust and helping her to open up. Other people remarked that some of the administrative and insurance tasks were mishandled and communication could be improved.

Dollar icon Payment Options

  • shield-cross iconPrivate insurance
  • self-pay iconSelf-pay options
  • sliding-scale-payment iconSliding scale payment assistance
  • military iconMilitary insurance
  • military iconMilitary Insurance

Medical briefcase icon Levels of Care

outpatient iconOutpatient

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.

aftercare iconAftercare

Clients in a rehab aftercare program have typically completed detox and intensive inpatient and are medically stable. These programs are designed to address addiction recovery as a life-long process. Outpatient counseling and recovery education are typically categorized as drug rehab aftercare, but many clients continue to receive support after being discharged from formal outpatient treatment. Case managers and recovery teams facilitate clients' access to peer coaching, career counseling, 12 step program induction, and related services.

12-step icon12-Step

12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).

heart-hands iconIntervention Services

A drug intervention in New Jersey is more than a confrontational conversation. This organized effort is specific and goal-oriented. During the intervention, family members share specific examples of how the person's addiction has impacted their lives and spell out what they will do if the individual does not get treatment. The intervention also presents a clear treatment plan, which typically involves input from intervention services.

User icon Programs

check iconAdolescence program

adult-program iconAdult program

men iconProgram for men

women iconProgram for women

young-adult iconYoung adult program

hiv iconHIV/AIDS program

lgbtq iconLGBTQ program

military-hat iconMilitary program

stroller iconPostpartum program

House check icon Settings & Amenities

  • luxury iconLuxury accommodations

Shield icon Insurance

Our Policy: First Step Counseling Services works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact us to verify your specific insurance provider.

Heart icon Treatment

alcohol iconAlcoholism

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.

drugs iconDrug Addiction

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.

check iconDual Diagnosis

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 iconMental Health and Substance Abuse

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.

opium iconOpioid Addiction

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.

Hand holding medical sign icon Clinical Services

inpatient-file iconCognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

dialectical iconDialectical Behavior Therapy

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.

intervention iconGroup Therapy

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.

mental-health iconIndividual Therapy

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.

desert iconMotivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.

house-medical iconTrauma Therapy

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.

couples-therapy iconCouples Therapy

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

family iconFamily Therapy

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.

life-skills iconLife Skills

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.

Check icon Accreditations

SAMHSA

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

Phone icon Contact

Phone icon (732) 549-0401
Building icon

16 Wernik Pl
Metuchen, NJ 08840

Call Now - Help is Available
Get Help Now - 732-708-2148
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Fact checked and written by:
Courtney Myers, MS
Edited by:
Terri Beth Miller, PhD

Reviews

3.4 (11 reviews)
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Google Rating

3.4 (11 reviews)
Jenny Muschinske
2 years ago
5

Maricarr A
2 years ago
2

therapist does not call back when requested.... not 24-48-72 hrs later.... no communication between administrative staff and therapist...... i appreciate the front desk quick response to an inquiry..... on call person tried reaching out to the therapist but even he didn't get response, was waiting for a courtesy call back after 10 mins but didn't come, on call still trying to reach her, turns out she called a different number and not the one she left a message she will call back so almost missed that call and charged for nothing.... voicemail after a missed 1st call said to call her back but number was "unknown" so couldn't call back...... should really answer calls with company name instead of "hello?".....

Marty
5 years ago
5

Manny Montalbano
5 years ago
5

It is a tremendous help for me now. 10 years ago I took my son there when his best friend was killed in a car accident. They are grear

teri r
6 years ago
5

This center has help my family in a large way , The staff is great in the office and the counselor s I would recommend them highly and I have Thank you for the service ! I was not one to go and talk to someone about my issues but I m sure glad I have ! Thanks to my Ex husband

Janine
7 years ago
1

Saira Aslam
7 years ago
5

Rich Hand
7 years ago
5

Kat C
10 years ago
1

A waste of time and money. My daughter was worse off after therapy sessions with counselor, Kerry Fleming, than prior to visiting. Ms. Fleming did not address my concerns or problems. She felt is was better not to speak about them at all. But isn't that why one seeks therapy in the first place... to discuss problems you are having? She never responded to my phone calls or emails. And after writing a letter of complaint to owner, Monica Sosnowitz, I was told she was on vacation for two months over the summer and could address my concerns upon her return. Counselors have very poor skills and management is not much better. Stay far away! I have since found counselors with higher education levels and am much more satisfied.

V B
10 years ago
1

Agree. They are very disrespectful. They don't call your one day before to remind you on the appointment. Their appointments are on the pages and don't use computer appointments. Admin staff has big attitude problem.

Michael Di Tomasso
11 years ago
2

Staff is disrespectful, money is being pocketed (reported by more than 10 other people) and there's always a reason for you to pay some outstanding fee, God forbid you have a family emergency and can't show up you still will owe $50, therapists flip-flop and lie to you, and unless you are already clean for a year don't even bother signing up because you will just get the boot as soon as they can suck a good grand out of you. THIS IS THE TRUTH AND PROVEN THROUGH RESEARCH FROM MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS.

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