East Mountain Youth Lodge
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About Us
Welcome to East Mountain Youth Lodge, a premier 24-hour, residential treatment center dedicated to helping adolescents navigate serious emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges.
Located on the serene campus of Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, NJ, our program provides a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for teens ages 13 to 18.
We empower youth to develop the coping skills, emotional regulation, and self-esteem needed to overcome their struggles and successfully return to their families and communities.
Key Services
Specialized, intensive care for behavioral health disorders:
- Depression and Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders (e.g., Bipolar Disorder)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Substance Abuse and Co-occurring Disorders
- School Avoidance and Social Difficulties
About Us
Welcome to East Mountain Youth Lodge, a premier 24-hour, residential treatment center dedicated to helping adolescents navigate serious emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges.
Located on the serene campus of Carrier Clinic in Belle Mead, NJ, our program provides a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for teens ages 13 to 18.
We empower youth to develop the coping skills, emotional regulation, and self-esteem needed to overcome their struggles and successfully return to their families and communities.
Key Services
Specialized, intensive care for behavioral health disorders:
- Depression and Anxiety Disorders
- Mood Disorders (e.g., Bipolar Disorder)
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Substance Abuse and Co-occurring Disorders
- School Avoidance and Social Difficulties
A Path to Healing for Teens
Who We Help: Specialized Care for Adolescents in Crisis
Our residents include males and females age 13-18 with psychiatric, emotional and behavioral difficulties, most of whom have a history of failed placements elsewhere, and who have experienced multiple traumas such as sexual abuse, abandonment, and loss. Their behavioral histories could include property destruction, violence, anti-social behavior, stealing, defiance of authority, poor school attendance, illegal activity, running away and drug use/dealing.
Finding the right help for a teenager in crisis can be overwhelming. East Mountain Youth Lodge is designed for adolescents whose behavioral or emotional difficulties prevent them from functioning successfully at home or in a traditional school setting. We provide specialized, intensive care for a range of challenges.
Our Comprehensive and Integrated Treatment Approach
We believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to create a personalized treatment plan that integrates therapeutic, psychiatric, and educational support. The goal is to build a foundation for lasting change.
- Individual, Group, and Family Therapy: Residents engage in intensive therapy sessions to explore underlying issues, build healthy communication skills, and repair family relationships.
- Expert Psychiatric Care: A board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist oversees all psychiatric care, including medication management and evaluation.
- Accredited Academic Program: Our on-site school, approved by the NJ Department of Education, ensures residents continue their academic progress with certified teachers in small class settings.
- Therapeutic Recreation: We use structured recreational activities, including art, music, and physical exercise, to teach valuable social skills, teamwork, and healthy coping mechanisms.
- 24/7 Nursing and Support: Our dedicated nursing staff and residential counselors provide round-the-clock medical care and compassionate support in a safe environment.
Why Choose East Mountain Youth Lodge?
We believe that healing also happens outside of traditional therapy sessions. Our adventure-based and recreational programs are designed to build trust, resilience, and self-esteem. These experiences include:
- Adventure-Based Counseling: Using our on-site low ropes course, hiking trails, camping, canoeing, and rock climbing to foster teamwork and peer support.
- Equine Therapy: A specialized program that helps teens connect with their emotions and understand themselves better through interaction with horses.
- Therapeutic Recreation: Year-round activities like art, music, and sports are used to teach appropriate social interaction and provide healthy outlets for expression.
The setting of our program is a critical component of the healing process. Located on Carrier Clinic’s expansive and peaceful campus, East Mountain Youth Lodge offers a calm, secure space away from the triggers and pressures of daily life. This allows residents to focus entirely on their recovery, build positive relationships with peers and staff, and practice new skills in a supportive community.
Our residents have access to a wide range of on-campus facilities that support their physical and emotional well-being, including:
- A full indoor gymnasium
- An outdoor in-ground swimming pool
- Softball field, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts
- Game room, art room, and chapel
- Extensive hiking trails
The East Mountain Youth Lodge provides one direct care staff member for every four to five adolescents. Our clinical team includes a Board-certified psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, registered nurse, substance abuse counselor and residential counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The East Mountain Youth Lodge (EMYL) on the Carrier Clinic® campus is a residential treatment program for adolescents ages 13-18 who are experiencing psychiatric and/or emotional difficulties. The program offers comprehensive 24-hour clinical, therapeutic, and educational treatment.