Bergen County's Alternatives to Domestic Violence now offers Youth Empowerment Programs (YEP), a brand new set of therapeutic and educational services specially designed to assist youth and young adult survivors of abuse in various relational contexts. 

ADV recognizes that our teens and youth need special support in navigating challenging transitions, confusing messages about relationships, and positive healing processes from harmful experiences of both dating abuse and family conflict. Our newly launched Youth Empowerment Programs (YEP) creatively connect Bergen County youth, ages 14-21, to quality services that raise awareness about abusive behaviors in different types of relationships and empower them with the tools needed to interrupt or recover from abusive dynamics. All services are free and confidential for individuals living in, working in, or studying in Bergen County and are accessible by calling our main line: 201-336-7575.

Healthy Relationships for Teens (HRTs) Groups
The HRTs group gives teens and young adults a safe space to process relationship issues in a structured and supportive communal setting facilitated by licensed clinicians and antiviolence educators. The group's mission is to empower youth and directly engage them in violence prevention by raising their consciousness about power and control in all relationships, as well as their capacity to shape relationship norms in their community. Teens will explore how to have healthy relationships with self, peers, and loved ones. Our therapeutic curriculum includes reviewing:
- The ingredients of healthy, equitable relationships
- The warning flags of exploitative relationships
- Adaptive coping strategies for distress
- Support-seeking and bystander intervention skills
- Media literacy and active modes of community engagement

The groups meet weekly with several weekday options, are confidential, and are open to teens 14+ of all genders and regardless of the gender of their dating partners. We also hold groups that promote the wellbeing, healing, and empowerment of LGBTQIAP+ youth- call us to learn more about current schedules and offerings! 
To learn more or sign up for HRT services, contact the main line: 201-336-7575.

Individual Therapy for Teens
ADV offers free individual counseling to teens looking for additional support in stabilizing distress or recovering from harmful relationship issues. One-on-one counseling allows services to be individualized to each teen’s unique needs and goals. ADV’s licensed therapists are specially trained in various trauma-informed modalities and will assist teens and their support persons on developing helpful language, coping skills, and safety plans to combat the effects of abuse. If interested, please speak to your ADV counselor or contact the main line 201-336-7575 to inquire about current availability.

Healthy Relationship Consultations
Healthy Relationships Consultations are free, educational, one-time sessions for individuals or small groups who are looking for clarity or constructive feedback about past or current relationships. They are also open to friends and loved ones who are worried and are looking for ways to support a loved one on their journey towards healthier relationships. To make an appointment with our trained educators, persons fill out our Appointment Request Form, or contact the main line: 201-336-7575. Consultations are available in-person in our offices or virtually through secure ZOOM video calls.

To learn more or sign up for services, call the ADV main line: 201-336-7575.

For more information about ADV's programs and services, visit our official website. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship and wish to speak to someone, please contact ADV's 24/7 Confidential Crisis Hotline: 201-336-7575.

Eligibility	ADV services all persons residing, working, or attending school in Bergen County. Our programs cater to youth ages 14+ and all adults 18+ impacted by domestic violence or dating abuse. All survivor services are free of cost. Sliding scale is applied to all services for persons who used force or are court-ordered to our Abuse Intervention Programs. Alternatives to Domestic Violence (ADV) is a division of the Bergen County Department of Human Services.
Age Groups	Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Community Community Education Family & Support Services Immigration Trauma / Acculturation LGBTQ Racial / Social Justice Referral Services Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Anxiety Family Conflict & Distress Grief / Loss Mental Health Teen Issues Trauma / PTSD Womens / Mens Crisis / Safety Bullying Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention Domestic Violence Trafficking
Treatment Services	Outpatient Services Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Group Counseling / Therapy, Individual Treatment Settings Home Telehealth
Payment Options	Free
Language Spoken	Korean Spanish

Last Updated: 12/15/23