Renfrew Center of Northern New Jersey

About Renfrew Center of Northern New Jersey

The Renfrew Center of Northern New Jersey is located on Kalisa Way in Paramus, New Jersey. They specialize in treating all types of eating disorders and also treat co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. The facility offers outpatient, intensive outpatient, and day treatment services. They accept most commercial insurance and are an Aetna Institute of Quality and a Cigna Center of Excellence.

Transdiagnostic Approach to Addiction Treatment in New Jersey

To be treated for substance use at the Renfrew Center, you must have a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder. One of the things I like about this program is that they recognize that eating disorders often occur with substance use disorders, so they treat substance use as a co occurring disorder. They treat both disorders simultaneously with evidence based treatment modalities.

I like the unique transdiagnostic approach in which they focus on symptoms that are common in both disorders. This approach views the co occurring mental illnesses as extreme versions of common experiences. This helps them unearth the underlying issues of the eating and substance use disorders. Although they don’t center treatment around the 12 Step model of recovery, they do support an individual’s preference to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12 Step meetings.

College and Eating Disorders - Specialized Programming

College is the first time away from home for many kids and is fraught with difficulties for young adults such as binge drinking, dating, and exercise culture. I think the special college program is great because it covers topics specific to college students, including how to balance academics and life, navigate campus culture, social and dating relationships, self care, and nutrition. The program is a safe space for peers to connect and discuss the challenges of academic life while dealing with eating disorder treatment.

Creative Arts Therapy in Paramus, NJ

Another program I find interesting is the creative arts program which helps people express themselves through the creative process. Authentic self expression in a safe space is a great way for clients to process many of the feelings and experiences that led them to their disease.