Piscataway High School

Services

Individual Counseling
One counselor is assigned to work with your child and family for individual counseling on a weekly basis for 30-minute sessions. (However, depending on the case, the frequency and length of sessions may be adjusted. )  he number of sessions is flexible and is dependent on the students’ needs and treatment progress. Family counseling may be suggested and incorporated into the counseling sessions depending on the issues being presented. 

Group Counseling
We offer a variety of counseling groups to high school students during the day led by the Haven counselors. Counseling groups have the ability to offer students peer support, connect with others who have shared experiences, and learn skills to address their problems. Groups are held on a weekly-basis for one hour during the same academic block. Each year, we work with school staff to determine student issues and form groups to match students’ needs. Groups that we typically run each year include: LGBTQ group, girls’ group, boys’ group, social skills group, and a stress management group. 

Walk-in Services
Given that students may be experiencing ongoing stressors throughout the school day, students can come to the Haven during school hours for ‘on-the-spot’ counseling without a scheduled appointment. 

Contact Information
If you are interested in Haven counseling services, please contact either:

Jennifer Neely
Haven Secretary
(732) 981 -0700 x2250
[email protected]

Patrick Connelly, Psy.D.
Director, The Haven Program
(732) 981-0700, x.2249
[email protected]

Referral Process

Grades K-8
Students can be referred for our services via their school counselor, Child Study Team case manager, teacher, school administrator, or parent/guardian. We gather information at the time of referral to gain an understanding of the presenting concerns and goals for treatment. We may provide outside referrals, depending on the case, to most appropriately address students’ needs.

Services for students K-8 are typically scheduled in the evening Monday through Thursday from 4 - 8 pm.  One counselor is assigned to work with your child and family for individual/family counseling on a weekly basis for one-hour long sessions. The number of sessions is flexible and is dependent on the students’ needs and treatment progress.  In the past, we have also conducted short-term counseling groups to the Piscataway students and families as need arises, including groups addressing grief, emotion management, and training for parents to help manage child behavior.

Grades 9 -12
Students can be self-referred or referred for counseling via their school counselor, Child Study Team case manager, teacher, school administrator, or parent/guardian. We gather information at the time of referral to gain an understanding of the presenting concerns and goals for treatment. We may provide outside referrals depending on the case to most appropriately address students’ needs.

Services for students 9-12 are scheduled during the school day Monday through Friday. Students can request weekly individual sessions, join group counseling, or walk-in as needed. Students are able to participate in both individual and group counseling sessions.

We want to ensure as minimal disruption to students’ academic demands.  Therefore, scheduling for counseling sessions for high school students involves scheduling appointments during non-academic classes, such as during electives, homeroom/lunch periods, and study halls. We do not hold individual counseling sessions during core academic classes unless a student is in crisis. Our group counseling may be scheduled during a core academic class, however, teachers have the authority to decide whether or not the student is able to attend the group.