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Brandt Behavioral Health Center and Retreat
Rutgers logo
Brandt Behavioral Health Center and Retreat
Rutgers logo
Brandt Behavioral Health Center and Retreat
Rutgers logo
Brandt Behavioral Health Center and Retreat

  • Blau Wellness Center

Blau Wellness Center lobby

Blau Wellness Center

The Blau Wellness Center is part of the Brandt Behavioral Health Treatment Center and Retreat at Rutgers University. As the outpatient/IOP arm of the initiative, the Blau Center offers evidence-based, compassionate mental health care for adolescents and young adults ages 13-25. 

Grounded in Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care’s decades of clinical expertise, the Blau Wellness Center bridges hospital-level excellence with the accessibility and comfort of a community-based setting. 

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Our Approach

Flexible, Personalized, and Evidence-Based Care 
At the Blau Wellness Center, every treatment plan is designed around the individual’s unique needs, strengths, and goals. Our outpatient programs provide structure and consistency while allowing youth to stay connected to school, family, and community life. 

Services include: 

  • Outpatient Program
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  • Comprehensive diagnostic assessments
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Parent and caregiver education and support
  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication management 

Call for an appointment: 732-235-6888

Blau Wellness Center exterior

Our clinicians specialize in supporting: 

  • Anxiety and mood disorders 

  • Depression 

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder and complex trauma 

  • Personality disorders 

  • Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders 

  • Behavioral and attention-related disorders 

  • Social and adjustment difficulties 

Meet Our Clinicians
Clinician writing down notes in therapy

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

For adolescents and young adults who need more structure and support than weekly therapy alone can offer, the Blau Wellness Center's IOP provides a higher level of care, without stepping away from daily life.

What to expect
IOP meets three times per week for three hours, combining individual therapy check-ins, group therapy, medication management, and skills-based sessions led by licensed clinicians grounded in evidence-based practice. Clients continue to live at home and stay connected to school, family, and community while receiving the consistent, structured support they need.

Our clinical team works closely with each client and family to determine whether IOP, standard traditional outpatient care, or another level of care is the best starting point, and can adjust as needs change over time.

Fire pit

What makes us unique?

  • Rutgers-affiliated clinicians applying the latest research and evidence-based care
  • A multidisciplinary treatment team focused on holistic recovery, including medication management and a range of therapy modalities
  • Seamless transition to and from the Brandt Retreat Center for continuity of care
  • Programs tailored to adolescents and young adults (ages 13–25)
  • Accessible location on Rutgers–New Brunswick’s George H. Cook campus 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Outpatient treatment allows adolescents and young adults to receive structured mental health care while continuing to live at home and attend school or work. It offers flexibility and ongoing support through scheduled therapy sessions. 

  • IOP is a structured treatment option for adolescents and young adults who need more support than weekly outpatient therapy but don't require 24-hour care. Clients attend sessions three times a week while continuing to live at home and stay connected to school and family life.

  • Choosing the right level of care depends on the severity of symptoms, recent safety concerns, and the extent to which day-to-day functioning is affected.

    • Outpatient care is often appropriate when a teen or young adult needs regular therapeutic support but can attend school, manage basic daily routines, and does not require close monitoring.
    • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) care offers a higher level of structure and support, with meetings three times a week. IOP is recommended when symptoms are more impairing, when a young person needs more supervision and skill-building, or when weekly therapy alone may not be enough.

    For individuals transitioning from an inpatient psychiatric unit, a step-down to IOP is often, but not always, clinically recommended before beginning traditional weekly outpatient care. This provides additional stabilization, safety planning, and monitoring during the high-risk period immediately after hospitalization. Our clinical team will work closely with you and your family to recommend the level of care that aligns best with your needs and ensures the safest, most effective path forward.

  • We specialize in treating adolescents and young adults, typically aged 13 to 25, as well as providing guidance and resources for their families and caregivers. 

  • Yes. The Blau Wellness Center accepts most major private and public insurance plans. Our staff can assist with verifying coverage and exploring financial options to ensure that care remains accessible to all families.