Center for Clinical Services

The Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health provides a range of community clinical services that offer coordinated developmental support and outpatient psychotherapeutic care to children and families, from prenatal stages through age 12. Using a family-centered, play-based, multidisciplinary approach, we aim to promote the developmental and psychological well-being of children and families while strengthening the bond between children and their caregivers. Our services include:

• Play-based family therapy for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary-aged children and their families
• Comprehensive infant-parent (dyadic) services
• Interventions for children with developmental challenges, including those diagnosed on the autism spectrum
• Support for pregnant mothers
• Groups for children up to age 12

In addition, the Center offers specialized programs for mental health promotion in schools, Lamaze childbirth education, breastfeeding and perinatal clinical support, as well as pediatric sensory treatment.

Individual and Group Adult Counseling
We are here to support your personal growth and help you navigate personal or social challenges such as relationships, depression, anxiety, grief, stress management, career concerns, life transitions, decision-making, and overall stress.

Individual and Group Adolescent Counseling
We offer activity-based and talk therapy for preteens and teenagers (ages 13-17) to address issues such as personal struggles, social concerns, career exploration, identity development, academic stress, family conflicts, and learning to understand and express emotions appropriately.

Career Counseling
Our career counseling services assist individuals who are undecided about their career path, seeking a career change, or experiencing workplace challenges (e.g., stress, conflicts with coworkers). Services include exploring personal values, interests, and cultural influences on career decisions, identifying strengths and goals, conducting job searches, and navigating career transitions.

Couples Counseling
Couples counseling focuses on helping partners improve communication, strengthen their relationship, and address common issues or adjustments in committed relationships.

Family Counseling
Family counseling aims to enhance communication and relationship skills to manage concerns and transitions within family dynamics.

Note for Montclair State University Students:
If you are an enrolled MSU student seeking mental health services, please first contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) on campus. Students looking for career counseling can directly reach out to the Community Counseling Clinic without a referral from CAPS.

The Psychoeducational Services Clinic provides comprehensive assessments in areas such as cognitive, academic, behavioral, social/emotional, and other aspects of functioning. Clinicians may collaborate with parents and school personnel to gather additional information when necessary. Clients receive evidence-based recommendations for interventions at school, home, or through external services. Common reasons for referral to our clinic include concerns about learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral issues, establishing baseline performance, determining eligibility for accommodations at the elementary, secondary, or college level, eligibility for Gifted and Talented programs, and private school admissions.