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Adolescent & Young Adult

Adolescent Aftercare Program in Annandale, NJ

A Safe Space For Healing

Continuing Support, Skills Reinforcement, and Lasting Recovery at Portum Behavioral Health

Portum Behavioral Health’s Adolescent Aftercare Program is designed to support teens during one of the most important and often most vulnerable phases of recovery: the transition back into everyday life. After completing higher levels of care such as Partial Care or an Intensive Outpatient Program, many adolescents benefit from continued structure, connection, and guidance as they apply what they’ve learned outside of a full treatment schedule.

Our Aftercare Program provides ongoing therapeutic support that reinforces progress, strengthens coping skills, and helps prevent setbacks, all while allowing teens to continue growing at home, in school, and within their communities. Through a balanced combination of clinical oversight, peer support, and family involvement, Aftercare helps adolescents build confidence, accountability, and emotional resilience supporting not just short-term stability, but long-term well-being.

For families, Aftercare at Portum Behavioral Health in Annandale, NJ, offers peace of mind: knowing your teen is not navigating this next chapter alone, and that support remains in place as they continue moving forward.

What Is Adolescent Aftercare Program?

Portum Behavioral Health's Aftercare Program is a personalized, supportive level of care designed to help adolescents maintain progress after completing more intensive treatment. It acts as a bridge between structured programs (like IOP or Partial Care) and full independence in daily routines.

Aftercare helps teens stay connected to therapeutic support while they continue to practice coping skills, manage stressors, and strengthen healthy patterns in real time. Portum’s Adolescent Aftercare Program offers a balanced blend of therapeutic interventions and community support, helping teens navigate the challenges that can arise during recovery while also empowering families with tools to support ongoing growth.

The Key Components of Adolescent Aftercare Program

Weekly Group Therapy

Weekly group therapy offers teens a consistent space to stay connected to peers who understand their experiences. These clinician-led groups focus on reinforcing coping skills, emotional regulation, communication strategies, and relapse-prevention tools in a supportive, judgment-free environment.

Group sessions help teens:

• Practice skills in real-world scenarios

• Normalize challenges that arise during recovery

• Build accountability and peer connection

• Reduce isolation and shame

• Strengthen confidence in expressing thoughts and emotions

For many adolescents, group therapy becomes a stabilizing anchor, a place where they can process setbacks, celebrate progress, and feel understood while continuing to move forward.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy provides teens with personalized support as they navigate new responsibilities, stressors, and emotional challenges after higher levels of care. These one-on-one sessions allow clinicians to address concerns that may not surface in group settings and to tailor support based on each teen’s evolving needs.

Individual therapy supports:

• Ongoing emotional processing and insight

• Goal-setting and progress monitoring

• Early identification of warning signs or setbacks

• Continued development of coping and regulation skills

• Strengthening self-awareness and confidence

This individualized attention helps ensure that progress remains steady and that challenges are addressed early before they escalate.

Medication Management

For adolescents who benefit from psychiatric medication, Aftercare includes continued medication management as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Our trauma-informed psychiatric providers monitor effectiveness, side effects, and overall functioning while coordinating care with therapists and families.

Medication management focuses on:

• Supporting emotional stability and symptom management

• Adjusting medications as teens’ needs change

• Educating families and teens about expectations and side effects

• Ensuring medication supports not replaces therapeutic work

This collaborative approach helps medication remain a helpful tool rather than a standalone solution.

Urine Drug Testing (UDT)

For teens with a history of substance use or co-occurring concerns, urine drug testing (UDT) may be incorporated as a supportive accountability measure.

When used appropriately, UDT is not punitive it is a tool that reinforces honesty, safety, and recovery goals.

UDT supports:

• Accountability and transparency

• Early detection of relapse or risk behaviors

• Informed clinical decision-making

• Open conversations between teens, families, and clinicians

When integrated respectfully and thoughtfully, UDT can help families feel reassured while supporting teens in maintaining progress.

Family Involvement & Support

Families play a critical role in sustaining recovery. Portum’s Aftercare Program actively involves parents and caregivers through education, communication guidance, and therapeutic support. Families learn how to reinforce skills at home while maintaining healthy boundaries and reducing conflict.

• Family involvement includes:

• Ongoing communication with the treatment team

• Family therapy or parent sessions as appropriate

• Coaching on supporting independence without over-monitoring

• Guidance on responding to setbacks or emotional changes

This partnership helps align expectations, improve communication, and strengthen trust creating a more supportive home environment for healing.

A Safe & Supportive Environment

Aftercare at Portum is delivered in a trauma-informed, non-judgmental setting where teens feel respected, understood, and supported. Clinicians prioritize emotional safety and consistency, allowing adolescents to remain engaged in treatment without fear of shame or punishment.

This environment encourages:

• Open communication and honesty

• Continued engagement in recovery

• Healthy peer relationships

• Confidence in asking for help when needed

By maintaining a supportive therapeutic community, Aftercare helps teens feel connected rather than isolated as they transition into greater independence.

Specialized Therapies That May Be Included in Adolescent Aftercare Program @ Portum Behavioral Health in Annandale, NJ

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps adolescents and young adults develop psychological flexibility and the ability to experience difficult thoughts and emotions without being controlled by them. ACT is especially effective for anxiety, depression, trauma-related distress, and emotional avoidance as experienced with mental health conditions and substance use disorder.

ACT Clients Learn

• Accept emotions rather than fight or avoid them

• Clarify personal values and goals

• Build meaningful actions aligned with those values

• Reduce the power of anxious or self-critical thoughts

Learn More About ACT Therapy

Art Therapy

Art Therapy offers a creative, non-verbal way for adolescents to express emotions that may be difficult to put into words. This modality is particularly helpful for trauma, anxiety, and emotional processing in mental health conditions and substance use disorders. No artistic skill is required, only openness to expression.

Art Therapy at Portum

• Encourages safe emotional expression

• Supports self-exploration and self-esteem

• Helps regulate emotions and reduce stress

• Allows healing to occur at a developmentally appropriate pace

Learn More About Art Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach at Portum Behavioral Health that helps clients understand how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. CBT is commonly used to treat anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and behavioral concerns as experienced with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.

CBT Supports

• Identifying unhelpful thinking patterns

• Challenging negative beliefs

• Developing healthier coping strategies

• Improving emotional regulation and decision-making

Learn More About CBT Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is particularly effective for adolescents who experience intense emotions, impulsivity, or difficulty managing stress and relationships as experienced with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. This skills-based therapy at Portum Behavioral Health helps teens feel more in control of their emotions and responses.

DBT Focuses On Building

• Emotional regulation

• Distress tolerance

• Interpersonal effectiveness

• Mindfulness and self-awareness

Learn More About DBT Therapy

Exposure Therapy

Exposure Therapy helps adolescents gradually and safely face fears or avoided situations in a controlled, supportive environment. This therapy is used primarily for anxiety disorders and trauma-related conditions that arise from Mental Health Conditions and Substance Use Disorders. At Portum Behavioral Health, exposure work is always trauma-informed and carefully paced.

Exposure Therapy

• Reduces avoidance behaviors

• Decreases fear responses over time

• Builds confidence and resilience

• Helps restore normal functioning

Learn More About Exposure Therapy

Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

At Portum Behavioral Health, EMDR therapy is used to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce emotional distress associated with past experiences. This approach is especially effective for Trauma and PTSD.

EMDR at Portum

• Supports trauma processing without requiring detailed verbal recounting

• Helps reduce emotional reactivity and intrusive thoughts

• Promotes healing at the nervous system level

• Is delivered only when clients are emotionally ready and stabilized

Learn More About EMDR Therapy

Family Systems Therapy

Family Systems Therapy recognizes that healing does not happen in isolation. Family dynamics play a powerful role in adolescent emotional health when an adolescent is recovering from a Mental Health Condition or Substance Use Disorder. Parents and caregivers are valued partners in the recovery process at Portum Behavioral Health.

Family Therapy at Portum

• Improves communication and understanding

• Reduces conflict and stress at home

• Strengthens supportive relationships

• Aligns around shared goals for healing

Learn More About Family Systems Therapy

Medication Management

For some adolescents and young adults, medication can be an important part of treatment. Portum Behavioral Health offers thoughtful, collaborative medication management as part of an integrated care plan in a multidisciplinary approach. Medication Management is considered as part of our Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment.

Medication Management

• Psychiatric evaluation and monitoring

• Education for families about benefits and risks

• Ongoing coordination with licensed therapists and therapy services

• Use of medication as a support—not a standalone solution

Learn More About Medication Management

Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs)

Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) help adolescents develop awareness of their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. Mindfulness is woven throughout many aspects of treatment at Portum Behavioral Health.

Practices Support

• Stress reduction

• Emotional regulation

• Improved focus and self-control

• Greater resilience during challenging moments

Learn More About MBIs

Music Therapy

Music Therapy allows adolescents to explore emotions, identity, and connection through sound and rhythm. Music Therapy is especially helpful for teens who struggle with traditional talk therapy.

This Experiential Approach

• Encourages emotional expression

• Supports mood regulation

• Builds confidence and engagement

• Creates connection in group and individual settings

Learn More About Music Therapy

Psychodrama Therapy

Psychodrama is an experiential therapy that uses guided role-play and action techniques to explore emotions, relationships, and experiences.

This Experiential Approach Helps Clients

• Gain insight into personal challenges

• Practice new responses and behaviors

• Process emotions in a safe, contained way

• Strengthen empathy and self-understanding

Learn More About Psychodrama Therapy

Yoga & Meditation

Yoga and meditation support mind-body healing, which is especially important in trauma-informed care. At Portum Behavioral Health, yoga and meditation are adapted to be accessible, safe, and developmentally appropriate.

These Practices Help Clients

• Regulate the nervous system

• Improve emotional awareness

• Reduce stress and physical tension

• Build a sense of calm and control

Learn More About Yoga & Meditation

Parent FAQs About Adolescent Aftercare Program

What is Aftercare and why is it important?

Aftercare is continued therapeutic support after a teen completes a higher level of treatment. It helps maintain progress, prevent relapse, and strengthen life skills in real-world environments where teens live, learn, and grow.

How long does the Aftercare Program last?

The duration varies by teen. Aftercare is tailored to individual needs and progress, and clinicians work with families to determine the appropriate schedule and length of participation.

How often do Aftercare sessions occur?

Most teens participate in weekly groups and individual therapy sessions, but frequency can be adjusted based on clinical recommendations and your teen’s goals.

Can teens still attend school and activities?

Yes. Aftercare is designed to fit into daily life. It supports school attendance, extracurricular activities, and family time, helping teens maintain connection to routines while receiving ongoing care.

Will the teen’s therapist communicate with me?

Yes. Portum clinicians engage families as partners, providing updates, guidance, and feedback while respecting confidentiality and developmental boundaries.

Is medication support included?

Medication management is available as part of Aftercare when clinically appropriate. This includes evaluation, monitoring, and coordination with other care providers.

What if a teen relapses or struggles?

Aftercare includes ongoing monitoring and clinical assessment. If a teen shows signs of relapse or increased distress, the treatment plan can be adjusted including recommending more intensive levels of care if needed.

Levels Of Care For Mental Health & Substance Use Services at Portum Behavioral Health in Annandale, NJ

Adolescent Partial Care Program

At Portum Behavioral Health, our Adolescent Partial Care Program provides an intensive level of care designed for adolescents aged 13-18 who are navigating complex mental health challenges. This structured program supports young people who need a higher level of support than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require 24-hour inpatient care.The program focuses on stabilization, coping skills, and emotional resilience through individual, group, and family therapy, in a safe, supportive environment.

Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Our IOP offers the right level of support for teens ages 13-18 who need more structure than traditional outpatient therapy but do not require full-day care. Through individual, group, and family therapy, teens build coping skills, emotional regulation, and resilience in a safe, supportive environment focused on lasting healing and recovery.

Aftercare Program

Our Outpatient Aftercare Program supports teens and young adults who have completed higher levels of care, such as Partial Care or Intensive Outpatient Programs. Through continued therapeutic guidance and skill reinforcement, clients maintain stability, strengthen coping strategies, and stay connected to recovery while returning to daily life.

Virtual Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program

At Portum Behavioral Health, our Adolescent Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program provides structured, evidence-based treatment for teens aged 13–18 who are managing mental health or co-occurring substance use challenges. By combining professional guidance with the comfort of home, our Virtual IOP makes recovery more accessible, flexible, and effective.

Portum Behavioral Health offers Supportive Outpatient Care for Every Phase of Recovery

Call Now To Schedule A Confidential Assessment!

(551) 306-4000

Why Families Choose Portum Behavioral Health

in Annandale, NJ

Trauma-Informed Adolescent & Young Adult Outpatient Mental Health & Substance Use Care

✓ Specialized care for adolescents and young adults

✓ Trauma-informed, evidence-based treatment

✓ Strong family involvement and education

✓ Local, accessible care in Hunterdon County & greater New Jersey region

✓ Compassionate multidisciplinary team that treats individuals, not diagnoses

✓ Convenient outpatient hours and program options to fit your needs and schedule

Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Support

A Safe Space For Healing... and it starts with understanding, safety, and connection

Portum’s Adolescent Aftercare Program provides structured, compassionate, and clinically grounded support to help teens sustain progress, strengthen coping skills, and thrive in daily life. Our trauma-informed team is here to walk with your family through this transition with care, clarity, and confidence.

If your teen is facing challenges with mental health, depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, or behavioral concerns, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Portum Behavioral Health in Annandale, NJ offers a safe, supportive space for healing and lasting recovery.

Call today to speak with an Admissions Specialist and schedule a Confidential Assessment!

Serving: Lebanon,NJ High Bridge,NJ Flemington,NJ Readington,NJ Clinton Township and greater New Jersey region.

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(551) 306-4000

Admissions & Insurance

Most Major Insurance Accepted, Call Us Today!

We accept most major insurance plans and can quickly and confidentially verify your benefits to help you understand your coverage options. Our team is committed to making it easier for your loved one to access the care they need at Portum Wellness & Recovery.