On July 12 Guardian IOP officially opened its doors to clients at Guardian’s gorgeous new intensive outpatient facility in Hoboken, New Jersey. The new facility is located approximately 15 minutes north of Jersey City, just across the water from lower Manhattan. A PATH station is just a few blocks away, making the facility an easy commute for clients from many surrounding areas including the New York City metropolitan area. Clients can easily attend work or school while continuing their recovery journey at GIOP.

The new facility has beautiful modern amenities, serene group rooms, individual therapist offices and views of the Empire State building. Counselors will be able to accommodate 35 clients, but groups will be kept to an average of 12 clients. These small groups will provide an intimate setting for clients to be vulnerable and do the important healing work necessary for their recovery.

Intensive Outpatient is a critical step on the recovery journey for many individuals who are learning to be sober while slowly reintegrating into the world-at-large. IOP allows clients to live their lives and maintain their outside responsibilities while being supported by a team of professional clinical staff and peers in recovery. IOP groups teach individuals how to be sober in the real world, form meaningful relationships, heal from past emotional wounds, transform old behavioral patterns, connect with a community of other recovering individuals and empower themselves to build new lives free from addiction.

“We are so excited to add Hoboken to our growing roster of quality addiction treatment programs in New Jersey” said Amanda Hilzer, Executive Director of New Jersey Operations for Guardian Recovery Network. “This beautiful new location will allow us to serve individuals in New Jersey and the NYC metropolitan area. We look forward to helping our clients transform their lives.”

As of right now, GIOP in Hoboken will offer an evening track on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9pm. Every client will have a weekly individual therapy session with their primary therapist and a psychiatric evaluation with Hoboken’s new addiction psychiatrist, Dr. Tamer Wassef. Dr. Wassef has roughly two decades of experience in the mental health and addiction treatment fields and has been affiliated with multiple hospitals in the New Jersey area, including CarePoint Health Bayonne Medical Center and CarePoint Health Hoboken University Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Cairo University School of Medicine.

Guardian IOP will offer medication assisted treatment for clients who desire medical aid in their recovery. These medications could include prescriptions that help fight cravings, prevent relapse and aid in emotional stability. Examples could include Suboxone maintenance, Vivitrol, Antabuse, antidepressants and antianxiety medications. Every client will have the benefit of regular medical follow up and medication management appointments.

In addition to GIOP’s clinical and therapeutic treatment methods, the new Hoboken facility will also offer holistic healing practices, including breathwork, guided meditation and yoga with an instructor who has a clinical background and counseling license.

The Hoboken facility has hired a phenomenal staff, including Ilana Epstein, MSW, LSW as primary therapist, Judy Beckmeyer, as a part-time group facilitator, and Quinn Fagan as Hoboken’s office manager and behavioral health technician.

If you or someone you know lives or works in the Hoboken area and is working on building a sober life in recovery, Guardian’s IOP program could be extremely beneficial. Contact Guardian’s Treatment Advisors 24/7. They are standing by to answer your questions and help get you or your loved one on the path to healing and wholeness.