Psychiatric Evaluation of Adolescent & Child Experiences
For Children & Teens 6-14
Location
100 Metroplex Drive, Suite 200, Edison, NJ 08817
Serving all counties statewide
(732) 235-8400
Our clinical services are offered both in-person and via telehealth, if needed.
The PEACE program is designed to help young children and teens ages 6-14 years old where there is concern for psychosis, which may include hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, or believing things that are not true.
We are the only program in NJ to currently provide this specialty service for youth in this age range and thus provide both in person and virtual care throughout the state.
Our Approach
The first step in the PEACE program is a thorough and compassionate assessment and evaluation of your child. If this evaluation determines that there is evidence of psychosis, we begin intervention immediately by establishing a comprehensive care plan through our program. If we find that psychosis is not present, the team will assist you with referrals to appropriate resources.
Treatment option within PEACE may include all or some of the following depending on your child’s needs:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Case management
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Medication management
- Educational support
- Coordination and collaboration with schools
- Referrals to other identified necessary resources
Our clinical services are offered both in-person and via telehealth, if needed.
What other disorders can look like psychosis?
Trauma
Trauma at a young age can have psychotic like experiences that are not true psychosis. However, trauma is also a substantial risk factor for the development of psychosis (confusion with paranoia is common).
Autism
Individuals with autism have difficulty describing their internal experience and can project strong emotions onto something external because these emotions are not tolerated, thus they could describe these thoughts as voices.
OCD
Intrusive obsessive thoughts in OCD can look like psychosis. It would not be expected that young children would have insight into the irrational nature of their OCD symptoms.
Major Depressive Disorder
Negative ruminative thoughts can be misperceived as voices.
Symptoms of psychosis are often dismissed as imaginary friends, externalized internal emotions, OCD, or purely trauma related. If you are concerned, contact us about an evaluation. That is why we are here.
About Insurance
For those eligible for services, this program is open to all regardless of economic means. We accept a variety of private insurances, as well as Medicaid & Medicare. We also provide a sliding scale fee for those who do not have access to insurance. Â And if you are eligible for NJ Family Care but are not yet enrolled, we can assist you with the enrollment process.
If you are concerned about a child aged 6 -14 who is experiencing any of the following symptoms, your journey with us begins here.
Symptoms of childhood onset psychosis in children:
Auditory or Visual Hallucinations and Delusions
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They may see shadows that look like people or animals that move at night while fully awake
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They may hear voices that comment on what they are doing or give commands, some helpful, some   frightening
Paranoia
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They may express feeling unsafe or a mistrust of others including peers which can result in conflict at   school (though this can also be present in those with a trauma history)
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They may have fears that others can read their minds, particularly in school
Developmental considerations
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The ability to distinguish fantasy from reality is not fully developed until a developmental age of 6 and is often delayed in those with developmental disorders
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Children who develop psychosis at a young age often do not realize that hearing voices is different than most people’s experience thus may not report it for years
If you think this might be the right place for you to begin, call us at 732‑235‑8400 or complete the form below and one of our care coordinators will contact you.