How We Help

Thoughts and feelings are connected.  How we think about things influences how we feel about them.  Therefore it stands to reason that changing how we think can help change how we feel.  This is the principle behind cognitive behavioral therapy, the best studied, most empirically investigated therapeutic modality.  CBT has been shown to reduce symptoms related depression and anxiety.  It has been shown to improve coping and motivation as well.

At Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Southern New Jersey, we use CBT as an integral part of therapy. Over several sessions we map out the particular problems that we can address with this therapy and then begin working to solve problems or lessen symptoms.

Sometimes families have trouble communicating.  All families.  This is a normal occurrence, actually.  When the trouble communicating continues over a period of time, though, there can be many unintended consequences including oppositional behavior, lying and stealing just to name a few.  The point is that this acting out behavior is not necessarily the child being “bad” so much as it is the child communicating that he/she needs something different.  The work we will do here is to understand better the needs of the child (as well as the needs of the parent) and put things back into alignment.

In addition, life happens.  Losses of emotional significance, moving, divorce, marriage, re-marrying–all of these events can be difficult for children to comprehend, let alone deal with. Some behavioral upheaval is frequently seen in times of great change in the family.  We can work here to provide perspective and improve coping (and therefore behavior!) within the family system.

There comes a time in the course of the treatment of psychiatric illness that medication can and should be used to treat symptoms. Whether it is unresolved depressive symptoms, anxiety or impulsivity problems, sometimes traditional talk therapy will not produce the improvement that people need. With children, it is important to have a balanced approach–one that is patient with other therapeutic modalities (therapy/behavior modification) while at the same time acknowledging the reality that sometimes medication is the appropriate modality itself or in combination with therapy.  Knowing the difference, knowing when to help with medication versus simply relying on therapy, is the work we do here every day and have done for years.

Sometimes people come in just to see if there would be benefit from considering a particular medication or medications for their symptoms or for second opinions.  Consultations are always welcome and, of course, receive the same care and attention as long-standing clients.

The Future of Medicine. Now.

At Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Southern New Jersey, LLC, with hundreds of genetic tests done we are distinguishing ourselves as a leader in applying genetic testing to the field of psychiatry. With a simple cheek swab (NO BLOODWORK!), we gain information about how you or your child process most current psychotropic medications. Avoiding side effects, minimizing adverse reactions and finding the right treatment sooner–these are just a few of the advantages that genetic testing offers.

Simply put, we are all genetically predisposed to tolerate certain medications better than others. Side effects sometimes make the difference between continuing a medication that could help or giving up in frustration. Now with genetic tests available, we offer treatments that are genetically tailored to your child improving tolerability and response.

This is where your child’s best chance of being treated starts.

Talking to Your Health Care Provider About Genetic Testing

Here are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider if s/he is not familiar with genetic testing for psychiatric medications:

Q: Have you heard of genetic testing for psychiatric medications?

Genetic testing companies use DNA collected from a cheek swab to analyze genetic information and match it with information about available treatment options. The report is an informational tool that healthcare providers can use to help select which treatment options may be best suited for you.

Q: Do you know how genetic testing works?

We capture my DNA using a cheek swab here in the office. Your office sends it to lab via FedEx and a report is available to you within 36 hours via a secure web portal.

Q: Are you a registered provider of genetic testing (through one of the companies that provides it)?

You can call the Customer Service team for GeneSight (one of the main genetic testing companies) and have a representative contact you to provide test materials and set up on-line ordering. The number is: 866.757.9204.

Q: Do you think genetic testing could help get me on the right medications?

I understand that this kind of testing is relatively new. Four published, peer-reviewed studies confirm that GeneSight can double a patient’s odds of getting on the right medication. Over 8,500 clinicians in the U.S. are using it, and more than 130,000 people have been tested. I’d like to learn more about the GeneSight test.

Q: Will we go over the results together?

I’d like to review the report together. I think it will help me understand why some previous medications haven’t worked well and why new ones may work better with less side effects.

Get Treated

For over a decade, clinicians at CAPSNJ have provided the Juvenile Justice System here in New Jersey with psychiatric evaluations in order to better inform all involved about the psychiatric issues that are at the heart dangerous behaviors, substance abuse and/or poor choices.

Frequently what the court needs to understand are the complexities at play in the minds of those who are dangerous, who commit crimes, who have illicit substances or who, for whatever reason have trouble staying on the “straight and narrow.”  Peoples’ situations are always more complicated than can be expressed by them, even with the help of attorneys and justices excavating for the truth.

People understand that they need representation when they enter the justice system but what people and the justice system have been learning is that they need a better understanding of peoples’ mental health and how that may bear on their actions.  Frequently, the courts’ understanding that there are mitigating circumstances such as mental health issues turns their attention to treatment rather than punishment in order to lessen aberrant behavior.

Courts are in the business of dispensing justice.  This all too frequently seems to be reduced to punishment but, over our years working in the justice system, we see lawyers and judges who care about the people they are representing or adjudicating.  They need help, though, to see when punitive measure should be replaced with therapeutic ones.

We’ve written literally hundreds of opinions for the courts over the last 11 years.  Put our expertise to work for you, helping the justice system understand why care for your loved one should be chosen over punishment.

There comes a time in the course of the treatment of psychiatric illness that medication can and should be used to treat symptoms. Whether it is unresolved depressive symptoms, anxiety or impulsivity problems, sometimes traditional talk therapy will not produce the improvement that people need. With children, it is important to have a balanced approach–one that is patient with other therapeutic modalities (therapy/behavior modification) while at the same time acknowledging the reality that sometimes medication is the appropriate modality itself or in combination with therapy. Knowing the difference, knowing when to help with medication versus simply relying on therapy, is the work we do here every day and have done for years.

Sometimes people come in just to see if there would be benefit from considering a particular medication or medications for their symptoms or for second opinions. Consultations are always welcome and, of course, receive the same care and attention as long-standing clients.

We use technology to improve the reach and accessibility of our service.  Need a late appointment?  We can accommodate in most cases.  Psychiatry without leaving your home!

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Thoughts and feelings are connected.  How we think about things influences how we feel about them.  Therefore it stands to reason that changing how we think can help change how we feel.  This is the principle behind cognitive behavioral therapy, the best studied, most empirically investigated therapeutic modality.  CBT has been shown to reduce symptoms related depression and anxiety.  It has been shown to improve coping and motivation as well.

At Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Southern New Jersey, we use CBT as an integral part of therapy. Over several sessions we map out the particular problems that we can address with this therapy and then begin working to solve problems or lessen symptoms.

Family Therapy

Sometimes families have trouble communicating.  All families.  This is a normal occurrence, actually.  When the trouble communicating continues over a period of time, though, there can be many unintended consequences including oppositional behavior, lying and stealing just to name a few.  The point is that this acting out behavior is not necessarily the child being “bad” so much as it is the child communicating that he/she needs something different.  The work we will do here is to understand better the needs of the child (as well as the needs of the parent) and put things back into alignment.

In addition, life happens.  Losses of emotional significance, moving, divorce, marriage, re-marrying–all of these events can be difficult for children to comprehend, let alone deal with. Some behavioral upheaval is frequently seen in times of great change in the family.  We can work here to provide perspective and improve coping (and therefore behavior!) within the family system.