GREATER ESSEX COUNSELING SERVICES is located in Downtown Newark. We provide client oriented programming and offer two treatment program tracks: Outpatient Drug & Alcohol Counseling (OPDC), as well as Intensive Outpatient services (IOP); and Anger Management group sessions which satisfy the New Jersey State Mandate. GECS accepts Medicaid and Medicare and we are happy to work with clients who have private insurance. Substance Abuse: OPDC and IOP
Clients attend either for 1-2 days (up to 8 hours) per week (OPDC), or 3-4 days (up to 15 hours) per week (Intensive Outpatient) for substance abuse treatment services. Clients enrolled in our program attend group counseling sessions, weekly individual sessions, and are monitored during collection of urine samples for instant or laboratory testing. Recurring didactic and processing group session topics include:
Aftercare/Relapse prevention,
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
Employment/Work Readiness,
Meditation/Icebreaker,
Men’s & Women’s Group; and,
Stress management/Coping skills. Additionally, GECS hosts a weekly Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) closed meeting and a weekly group session designed specifically for clients on Parole, Drug Court, Probation, and other individuals currently or recently involved with the justice system. Clients attending for OPDC may also have the opportunity to attend one or more of the three Anger Management sessions run during the week. Group sessions for the OPDC program are run Tuesdays through Thursdays during the day (9 am - 1:30 pm) and in the evening (5 pm - 8 pm). A limited group schedule is run on Fridays from 11 am - 1 pm. The condensed evening program and the Friday program are reserved for clients whose work, school, or childcare responsibilities prevent them from attending the standard daytime program hours. Treatment clients with GECS meet once per week with their assigned counselor for an individualized one-on-one session. Topics for individual sessions vary depending on the client’s needs and goals for treatment. Counseling staff work with referring State agencies, Hospitals, Inpatient programs, and other Treatment Providers in the area to coordinate care and, when necessary, transition clients to another facility if GECS is unable to meet their needs. Monitored urine drug screen (UDS) services are provided during all treatment program hours. Instant tests immediately provide verified Positive or Negative results, without levels, for a standard panel of drugs. Laboratory tests provide verified Positive or Negative results, with levels, for a full panel of drugs. Beyond the standard panel, laboratory testing also includes alcohol (ETG/ETS), Fentanyl, K2/Spice (synthetic ma*****na), and Tramadol panels. Laboratory results are returned to GECS, on average, in five business days. GECS currently has contracts with SAI/BHI (Welfare), NJ State Parole, Drug Court, and County Probation offices; and maintains a walk-in UDS services provider status with the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P). We are currently working to extend our treatment program services to clients with private insurance and we are able to assist indigent clients through a grant from the County of Essex Department of Addiction Services. Clients with questions about their eligibility for services at our facility should call our office and ask to speak with an Intake Coordinator. Clients enrolled for OPDC and IOP services may also enroll in our Anger Management program.
