6 of the Best Psychiatric Hospitals in New Jersey

You’ve decided to seek inpatient treatment at a hospital for your psychiatric condition. There are plenty of mental hospitals in New Jersey to choose from, so let’s start with some criteria to help you narrow the search down.

First, ask your doctor or someone you trust which hospital they would recommend, given the unique characteristics of your condition. Assuming your doctor is familiar with your case, they could refer you to a hospital where they have had success with psychiatric referrals in the past.

Next, do some research on your healthcare plan. Does it cover non-emergency care in a hospital setting? Call the hospital to see if they work with your insurance provider. Affordable healthcare is a reasonable criterion to hold prospective hospitals up against.

Lastly, check how far away from home the hospital is. Depending on the treatment program you’ve been prescribed, a hospital, either near or far away, could have benefits.

To help you get started with your search, here are six of the best psychiatric hospitals in New Jersey to consider.

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Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center
The Valley Hospital
Ancora Psychiatric Hospital
Hackensack University Medical Center
Morristown Medical Center
Overlook Medical Center
Psychiatric Hospital vs. Treatment Center: What’s The Difference?

Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center

(732) 914-1688

1691 U.S. Highway 9, CN 2025, Toms River, NJ 08754

Established in 1992, the Barnabas Health Behavioral Health Center seamlessly integrates behavioral health care and medical services.

They are open 24/7 for anything from crisis intervention to emergency screenings, scheduled outpatient check-ups, aftercare, and more. They see child, adult, and geriatric patients.

They also offer partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient therapy, outpatient services, and dual diagnosis treatment programs specifically designed for clients diagnosed with both mental health and substance use disorders.

The Valley Hospital

201-447-8000

223 North Van Dien Avenue Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Part of the Valley Health System, the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood is ranked a “high-performing hospital” by US News and World Report and rated #3 for adult hospitals in New Jersey.

The “Valeridge Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness” was launched in 2023 as a partnership between Valley Health System and Christian Health. It’s located on the campus of the Valley Hospital in Ridgewood.

Here, a multidisciplinary team of experts provides world-class care involving preventive medicine, wellness initiatives, pregnancy-related care, psychotherapy services, counseling for pregnancy loss and bereavement, youth therapy, and medication management.

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital

(609) 561-1700

301 Spring Garden Road, Ancora, NJ 08037

Ancora Psychiatric Hospital is 680 acres with 600 inpatient beds and a multidisciplinary team approach to ongoing psychiatric care. They have an entire unit dedicated to dual diagnostic treatment.

It’s their mission to provide comprehensive psychiatric, medical, and rehabilitative services in the context of a safe and caring care-giving environment that nurtures patients back to independence and reintegrates them with their communities.

Some of the different units on the premises include both acute and chronic psychiatric units, geropsychiatric units, a sub-acute medical unit, a secure care unit, and a dual diagnostic unit for mentally ill or developmentally disabled people.

Hackensack University Medical Center

(551) 996-2000

30 Prospect Avenue Hackensack, NJ 07601

Part of the Meridian Health Network, US News & World Report ranked Hackensack University Medical Center as the #1 adult and child hospital in New Jersey.

Their Behavioral Health Unit offers both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment services to anybody needing them. Any psychiatry service not found at Hackensack’s campus might be found in the other clinics and campuses around New Jersey in the Meridian Health Network.

Morristown Medical Center

(973) 971-5000

100 Madison Avenue Morristown, NJ 07960

Part of the “Atlantic Health System,” Morristown Medical Center has been awarded the highest possible grade for hospital safety for fifteen consecutive years.

Morristown Medical Center’s Chemical Dependency Services department offers early intervention, dual diagnosis programs for both substance use and mental health disorders, referrals to detoxification services, intensive outpatient services, relapse prevention, and aftercare services. Their direct number for the chemical dependency division is (888) 247-1400.

Overlook Medical Center

(908) 522-2000

99 Beauvoir Ave, Summit, NJ 07901

Part of the Atlantic Health System, Overlook Medical Center is a high-performing facility and was regionally ranked as the #4 hospital in New Jersey.

As it is part of the “Atlantic Health System,” Overlook Medical Center has a Chemical Dependency Services department. This is part of the psychiatry center and focuses primarily on patients with an addiction disorder. They offer dual diagnosis, detox, partial hospitalization programs, outpatient programs, and aftercare services, and their direct line is (888) 247-1400.

Psychiatric Hospital vs. Treatment Center: What’s The Difference?

Hospital

Psychiatric or mental hospitals in New Jersey can be either state-run or privately-run and will offer basic psychiatric treatment programs and minimal amenities. You might have to share an inpatient room with another patient.

It may offer detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs with traditional pharmacotherapy like MAT and psychotherapy like CBT and DBT. Dual diagnosis may or may not be offered.

But, since hospitals are generally part of a system, they have access to a wider continuum of care than treatment centers. They can treat more severe cases with an intense comorbidity of health problems.

Treatment Centers

Treatment centers are generally privately run, and many have a luxurious aesthetic and feel. They can offer a wide range of treatment programs and unique therapies.

They might be located out in the countryside on a sprawling estate with live-in medical staff, or they might be located right on the beach. While the location might be good, what generally sets them apart is your experience once you’re there.

The treatment programs could include traditional therapies like CBT and DBT and alternative therapies like Ayurveda, yoga, music, art, and more. You will probably get your own room during residential treatment.

Since they are privately run and funded, they might not be able to treat the most severe psychiatric cases.

When Do You Need The Best Psychiatric Hospitals In New Jersey?

Choose a hospital for psychiatric care if your budget is tight but you still need solid access to psychiatric care. Your case is severe, and you don’t want to have to get transferred to another facility if they can’t handle the severity of your case.

Choose a treatment center for psychiatric care if you want to maintain a luxurious lifestyle during your treatment. You need to get away from the usual surroundings to create new habits and routines. You want to live alone with a roommate.