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Self-Harm Treatment

Recovery From Self-Harm
Starts With One Honest Conversation

You do not have to keep carrying this alone. At Valley Spring Recovery Center in Norwood, NJ, we meet you exactly where you are -- with evidence-based outpatient programs, medication-assisted treatment, and a clinical team that genuinely understands what self-harm takes from a person and what recovery gives back. Whether you are taking the first step or rebuilding after a setback, there is a place for you here.

CARF Accredited
#1 Best of NJ
24/7 Available
8:1 Client Ratio
Treatment Programs

Outpatient Programs for
Self-Harm Recovery

Every person's relationship with self-harm is different. That is why we offer multiple levels of outpatient care -- so your treatment matches the intensity you actually need, not a one-size-fits-all schedule.

Most Intensive

Partial Care Program (PHP)

Monday - Saturday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Our highest level of outpatient care provides structured, full-day programming six days a week. Ideal for those stepping down from inpatient or needing significant daily support, Partial Care combines individual therapy, group counseling, CBT, DBT, and medication management in a comprehensive daily framework. You will build the foundation for lasting sobriety while living at home.

Learn about Partial Care
Evening Track

Intensive Outpatient Program (5-Day IOP)

Monday - Friday, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Designed for people who need robust clinical support without disrupting work or family life. Five-Day IOP runs in the evenings and focuses on relapse prevention, trauma processing through EMDR, motivational interviewing, and peer group work. You continue building your life during the day and deepening your recovery each evening.

Explore 5-Day IOP
Flexible

Intensive Outpatient Program (3-Day IOP)

3 Days per Week, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

A step-down from 5-Day IOP or an entry point for those with moderate treatment needs. Three evening sessions per week still provide meaningful group therapy, individual counseling, and skills development -- while allowing maximum flexibility for your daily responsibilities.

Explore 3-Day IOP
Remote Access

Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program

3 Sessions per Week, from Home

The same clinical rigor as our in-person IOP, delivered via secure telehealth. Virtual IOP works for those with transportation barriers, childcare needs, or who simply recover better in their own environment. All sessions are live with licensed clinicians -- this is real treatment, not pre-recorded content.

Explore Virtual IOP
Ongoing Support

Outpatient & Alumni Program

Flexible Scheduling • Lifetime Access

As you complete structured programming, our outpatient and alumni tracks provide ongoing individual therapy sessions, peer check-ins, social events, and relapse prevention planning. Recovery does not end when treatment does -- and neither does our commitment to you.

Learn about Alumni Program
Medication Support

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Integrated into All Program Levels

For self-harm and self-injury, our medical team prescribes Vivitrol (injectable naltrexone), oral Naltrexone, and Topamax to reduce cravings, block the rewarding effects of self-harm, and support long-term abstinence. MAT is not a crutch -- it is an evidence-based tool that significantly improves outcomes when combined with therapy.

Learn about MAT
CARF Accredited
NAATP Member
#1 Best of NJ
BBB A+ Rated
Patient Stories

Real Recovery, Real Words

Hear from people who walked the same path you are considering -- and found a way through.

"

I tried quitting on my own more times than I can count. The team at Valley Spring did not judge any of that. They helped me understand the science behind why willpower alone was not working, put me on Vivitrol, and gave me a real plan. Eight months sober and counting.

M.R.
Michael R.PHP Graduate, 2024
"

The evening IOP program was exactly what I needed. I could keep my job during the day and still get serious treatment at night. The group therapy sessions became the highlight of my week -- there is something powerful about being in a room with people who truly understand.

S.K.
Sarah K.5-Day IOP Graduate, 2024
"

My daughter found Valley Spring when I would not find help myself. Henry and the clinical team treated me with so much dignity. They helped me see that my drinking was not a moral failure -- it was a medical condition that responded to proper treatment. I wish I had come sooner.

J.D.
James D.Family Referral, Alumni Member
Why Valley Spring

What Makes Our Self-Harm Treatment Different

Outpatient treatment is not all the same. Here is what sets Valley Spring apart from other programs in Bergen County and across New Jersey.

1

True 8:1 Client-to-Clinician Ratio

Most outpatient programs pack 15-20 clients into a single group session. We keep our ratio at 8:1 so every person gets individualized attention from licensed clinicians -- not just a seat in a crowded room.

2

Self-Harm-Specific MAT Protocols

Our medical team specializes in SSRIs, mood stabilizers, naltrexone (impulse reduction) for self-harm and self-injury. These injectable and oral medications reduce cravings and block the rewarding effects of drinking, giving your brain the reset it needs while therapy addresses the root causes.

3

Seamless Step-Down Continuity

From PHP to IOP to outpatient to alumni -- you never change facilities, never re-explain your story, and never lose your treatment team. Your clinician follows you across every level of care at Valley Spring.

4

Evening & Virtual Options

We built our IOP programs around real life. Evening sessions from 6-9 PM mean you do not have to choose between treatment and your job, your kids, or your daily responsibilities. Virtual IOP extends the same care to your living room.

5

Integrated Trauma Treatment

Self-Harm abuse rarely exists in isolation. Our clinicians are trained in EMDR, DBT, and trauma-focused CBT to address the anxiety, depression, PTSD, and unresolved trauma that so often fuel problematic drinking.

6

Holistic Wellness Practices

Beyond clinical therapy, we incorporate yoga, mindfulness meditation, sound baths, ice baths, nutrition counseling, and guided hiking. Recovery is not just about stopping drinking -- it is about building a life worth being sober for.

Your Recovery Path

Self-Harm Treatment Timeline

Recovery is not a straight line -- it is a winding path with distinct phases. Here is what to expect as you move through treatment at Valley Spring.

Weeks 1-2

Stabilization & Assessment

Your clinical team conducts a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment, establishes your treatment plan, and begins MAT if appropriate. The focus is on physical stabilization, building rapport with your therapist, and introducing you to group programming. You will start CBT and motivational interviewing in your very first week.

Phase 1
Weeks 3-4

Active Treatment & Skill Building

With the foundation set, treatment intensifies. You will work through DBT skills for emotional regulation, begin EMDR processing if trauma is present, and deepen your group therapy connections. Relapse prevention planning begins here, and family sessions start if your support system is involved.

Phase 2
Weeks 5-8

Integration & Independence

As coping skills solidify, you begin applying recovery strategies in real-world situations. Treatment may step down from PHP to IOP as your clinical team monitors progress. Holistic wellness practices deepen -- yoga, mindfulness, nutrition -- and you start building a relapse prevention toolkit that is uniquely yours.

Phase 3
Weeks 9-12+

Maintenance & Alumni Transition

As you complete structured programming, you transition into outpatient sessions and the alumni program. Ongoing individual therapy, peer check-ins, social events, and relapse prevention check-ups ensure you never face recovery alone. The alumni program is lifetime access -- there is no graduation date on getting well.

Phase 4
Recognizing the Problem

Signs of Self-Harm and Self-Injury

Self-Harm use disorder exists on a spectrum. Understanding where you or your loved one falls can clarify how much support is needed -- and how urgently.

Mild Self-Harm and Self-Injury

The early signs are easy to dismiss. You find yourself drinking more than you planned, or promising to cut back and finding it harder than expected. You spend more time thinking about, obtaining, or recovering from self-harm. Weeknight glasses of wine become bottles. Social drinking bleeds into solitary drinking. You still hold things together on the outside, but inside, the pattern is shifting -- and part of you knows it.

Moderate Self-Harm and Self-Injury

At the moderate stage, self-harm starts taking things from you. Cravings become persistent and hard to ignore. You may be falling behind at work, missing commitments, or having arguments about your drinking that never existed before. Social relationships strain as self-harm takes priority. You might notice needing more to feel the same effect -- a sign your brain chemistry is changing. The gap between who you want to be and who self-harm is making you grows wider.

Severe Self-Harm and Self-Injury

Severe NSSI is a medical condition that demands professional intervention. Physical withdrawal symptoms appear when you try to stop -- shaking hands, profuse sweating, racing anxiety, and in serious cases, seizures. You continue drinking despite clear harm to your health, relationships, career, and self-worth. Tolerance has climbed to amounts that would incapacitate most people. At this stage, willpower is not the issue -- the brain's reward system has been fundamentally altered, and evidence-based treatment including medication is the most effective path forward.

Self-Harm by the Numbers

Nearly 29.5 million Americans aged 12 and older had self-harm and self-injury in the past year, yet only less than 8% received any treatment. In New Jersey alone, self-harm is the most commonly cited substance in treatment admissions. The average person with NSSI waits 8 years before seeking help -- eight years of compounding damage to health, relationships, and career. But the data is clear: people who enter structured outpatient treatment and complete medication-assisted protocols have significantly higher rates of sustained sobriety than those who attempt to quit alone. You do not have to be another statistic. You can be part of the recovery.

8:1
Client-to-Clinician Ratio
6+
Therapy Modalities
16+
Insurance Providers
24/7
Admissions Line

Ready to Talk About Your Drinking?

A confidential conversation with our admissions team costs nothing and commits you to nothing. It simply gives you information -- and options.

Our Space

Where Healing Takes Shape

Our Norwood, NJ facility was designed to feel unlike a clinical setting -- because the environment you recover in matters as much as the treatment itself.

Group Therapy Room

Open Group Therapy Spaces

Sunlit rooms with comfortable seating arranged in circles, not rows. Our primary group spaces hold up to 8 clients at a time, fostering the intimate connection that makes group therapy work. Natural light and warm tones create an atmosphere where vulnerability feels safe.

Individual Office

Private Counseling Offices

Individual therapy sessions happen in quiet, soundproofed offices designed for one-on-one work. This is where EMDR processing, motivational interviewing, and the deep personal work of recovery unfold without interruption or self-consciousness.

Wellness Area

Holistic Wellness Suite

A dedicated space for yoga, meditation, sound bath sessions, and mindfulness practice. The wellness suite supports the physical and spiritual dimensions of recovery that traditional talk therapy alone cannot reach.

Lounge

Client Lounge & Common Areas

Comfortable common areas where clients gather between sessions, share meals, and build the peer connections that sustain long-term recovery. A kitchen, coffee station, and quiet corners provide a sense of normalcy and community throughout the treatment day.

Your Treatment Team

Clinicians Who Understand
Self-Harm Recovery

Our team is not here to lecture you. They are here because they believe in the work -- and in your ability to change.

HI

Henry Iwuala, CD

Clinical Director

Certified self-harm and drug counselor leading our clinical programming. Henry brings deep experience in motivational interviewing and builds treatment plans that respect each client's pace.

DO

Dr. Olla, MD

Medical Director

Board-certified physician overseeing MAT protocols including SSRIs, mood stabilizers, naltrexone (impulse reduction). Dr. Olla ensures every medication decision is informed by the latest evidence and your individual health profile.

CT

Clinical Therapists

Licensed Counselors

Licensed clinicians trained in CBT, DBT, EMDR, and trauma-focused approaches. Our therapists carry small caseloads so they can provide the individualized attention that makes treatment work.

Insurance Coverage

We Work With Your Insurance

Valley Spring is in-network with most major New Jersey and national insurance providers. Our admissions team handles verification so you do not have to.

Horizon BCBS
NYSHIP
Aetna
Anthem
Cigna
BCBS
Amerihealth
Oscar
Meritain
Fidelis
UHC
UMR
Tricare
Compsych
Highmark
Magellan

Check Your Coverage in 60 Seconds

Call our admissions team or submit your insurance details online. We will tell you exactly what your plan covers -- no obligation, no pressure.

Verify Insurance
For Loved Ones

How to Help Someone
With an Self-Harm Problem

Watching someone you love struggle with self-harm is exhausting and heartbreaking. You cannot force recovery -- but you can create conditions where it becomes possible.

Lead With Compassion, Not Confrontation

Choose a calm, private moment to express concern. Use "I" statements -- "I am worried about how much you are drinking" rather than accusations. The goal is to open a door, not trigger defensiveness.

Set Boundaries Without Guilt

Boundaries are not punishments. They are how you protect your own health while making it clear you will not enable the addiction. Stop covering for missed obligations, stop making excuses, and be honest about what you can and cannot tolerate.

Educate Yourself About AUD

Self-Harm use disorder is a diagnosable medical condition, not a choice or moral failing. Understanding the neuroscience helps you replace frustration with informed compassion -- and makes you a more effective advocate for their treatment.

Offer to Make the Call Together

Sometimes the biggest barrier is the first phone call. Offer to sit with them, dial the number, or even call Valley Spring's admissions team yourself. Our team is trained to talk to families -- you do not have to have all the answers before reaching out.

Take Care of Yourself

Supporting someone through addiction is draining. Seek your own support through Al-Anon, therapy, or a trusted friend. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and your well-being matters just as much as theirs.

When a Loved One Refuses Treatment

It is one of the most painful positions a family can be in -- you can see the destruction, but they cannot. Or they can, and they are not ready. Refusal does not mean failure. Research shows that most people enter treatment after multiple conversations over time. Each conversation plants a seed. Keep the door open, maintain your boundaries, and stay informed about options so that when they are ready -- even at 2 AM on a Tuesday -- you know exactly where to call.

Do not issue ultimatums you cannot keep
Let natural consequences happen
Stay connected, not controlling
Consider a professional interventionist
Call us for family guidance anytime
Speak With Our Family Support Team
Common Questions

Self-Harm Treatment FAQ

Honest answers to the questions we hear most often from clients and families considering self-harm treatment.

If you have tried to cut back or stop drinking and found it difficult, if self-harm is causing problems in your relationships or work, or if you experience withdrawal symptoms when you do not drink -- those are strong indicators that professional support would benefit you. You do not need to hit "rock bottom" to qualify for treatment. In fact, earlier intervention leads to better outcomes.
Most clients engage in structured programming for 8-12 weeks, though individual timelines vary based on severity, co-occurring conditions, and response to treatment. After completing structured programming, our outpatient and alumni tracks provide ongoing support with no end date. We adjust the pace to your progress, not an arbitrary calendar.
Valley Spring is an outpatient facility and does not provide medical detoxification on-site. However, if you need detox before starting our program, our admissions team coordinates placement with trusted detox partners and ensures a seamless transition to Valley Spring once you are medically cleared. We handle the logistics so you can focus on getting well.
Our medical team prescribes SSRIs, mood stabilizers, naltrexone (impulse reduction) for self-harm and self-injury. These medications reduce cravings, block the rewarding effects of self-harm, and support long-term abstinence. Medication is always combined with therapy -- it is one tool in a comprehensive treatment plan, not a standalone solution. Our physicians closely monitor your response and adjust as needed.
Absolutely. Our IOP programs run from 6-9 PM specifically so working professionals can maintain their careers while receiving treatment. Partial Care (9 AM - 3 PM) is more intensive and may require schedule adjustments, but many clients with flexible jobs make it work. Virtual IOP adds even more flexibility. We believe treatment should fit your life -- not the other way around.
Most insurance plans cover mental health condition treatment, and Valley Spring is in-network with 16+ major providers including Horizon BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UHC, Anthem, and more. Our admissions team verifies your specific benefits before you start -- so you know exactly what is covered with no surprise bills. Call us or submit your information online for a free check.
Our clinical team uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Motivational Interviewing (MI), contingency management, experiential therapy, and trauma-focused approaches. Treatment plans are individualized -- not everyone gets every modality. Your clinician selects the approaches most likely to help based on your specific history, needs, and goals.
Yes, with your consent. Family sessions typically begin in weeks 3-4 and focus on repairing communication patterns, setting healthy boundaries, and educating loved ones about the recovery process. Addiction affects the entire family system, and healing is stronger when everyone is involved. We also provide family members with resources and referrals for their own support.
Recovery does not end when structured programming does. Our alumni program provides lifetime access to peer support groups, social events, individual check-in sessions, and relapse prevention planning. You also retain your therapeutic relationship with your treatment team for ongoing outpatient sessions as needed. We do not discharge people into a vacuum.
Three things: an 8:1 client-to-clinician ratio that ensures personalized care, self-harm-specific MAT protocols supervised by board-certified physicians, and seamless step-down continuity where you never change facilities or clinicians as you progress through levels of care. Add CARF accreditation, NAATP membership, and being rated #1 Best of NJ -- and you have a program built on clinical excellence, not volume.

Self-Harm Treatment
in Bergen County, NJ

Valley Spring Recovery Center is located in Norwood, New Jersey -- easily accessible from across Bergen County, Rockland County, and the greater New York metro area. We serve clients from throughout northern New Jersey and beyond.

830 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648
Get Directions & Contact Info
Norwood Closter Northvale Harrington Park Old Tappan Demarest Cresskill Tenafly Englewood Hackensack Paramus Ridgewood

Your Next Chapter Starts With a Phone Call

Whether you are ready to begin or just exploring options, our admissions team is available 24/7 to answer questions, verify insurance, and help you take the next step -- on your terms.

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