Overview 

If you have been trying to find a therapist in Mountain Lakes and Wayne, NJ, or nearby areas for your child, our team at Strength For Change is here to help. With a comprehensive and streamlined process, we are here to ease your worries by telling you precisely what you can expect. Your child will be scheduled within 24 hours of initial contact with Strength for Change. They will participate in a 1-1.5 hour clinical interview conducted by a Licensed Clinical Social Work or Licensed Professional Counselor.

Information received from your child will be cross-referenced with the information provided by you (the parent or guardian), the referring school, and other professionals who may be involved in your child’s care.

After your child’s mental health screening, you will be informed of the outcome regarding your child’s risk for suicide or violent behavior and related treatment needs.

Screening Outcomes 

Based on your child’s level of emotional distress, history of mental health symptoms, scores on diagnostic questionnaires, and the presence of risk factors for suicide or violent behavior,  your child’s screening will result in one of the following outcomes:

• Cleared to Return to School With No Further Actions Necessary.
• Cleared to Return to School With Recommendations: Your child may need to participate in a complete psychiatric evaluation, individual outpatient therapy, an intensive outpatient program, or a partial hospitalization program.
• Not Cleared to Return to School:  Your child needs an immediate psychiatric evaluation and must be taken to the local hospital emergency room.

An immediate psychiatric evaluation at a local hospital emergency room is recommended when a child is at high risk for suicidal or violent behavior. In such cases, a client is referred to the local hospital emergency room for a more comprehensive psychiatric evaluation conducted by a team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals. Upon completion of the hospital psychiatric evaluation, the client may be admitted into the hospital.

Confidentiality 

Your privacy and confidentiality are always our top priorities.  Screening results and treatment recommendations are only disclosed to individuals you have given us written permission to communicate with. The only exception to this rule of confidentiality is in cases of child abuse and the risk of suicidal or homicidal behavior.

Fee, Billing, & Insurance 

Please get in touch with our office at (973) 232-4080 for a list of fees.

School districts or employers sometimes contract with Strength for Change and pay the cost of a mandated mental health screening.

Clients seeking our mental health screening service are responsible for payment at the time of service. Those with out-of-network insurance coverage are eligible for reimbursement based on their plan.  Clients are encouraged to speak to their insurance provider to determine their policy’s coverage, the protocol for submitting claims, and the expected reimbursement rate.

Mental Health Screenings Include: a 1-1.5-hour clinical interview, administration of several symptom questionnaires, and contact with all necessary third parties (school and other treatment providers, etc.), including a letter stating the evaluation findings and treatment recommendations.

Feel free to call us today if your child needs a mental health screening in Mountain Lakes and Wayne, NJ, or the surrounding areas.