About Us | NLSA Helpline | Addiction Treatment Center in Passaic, NJ

Our Story

A Legacy of Compassionate Care in Passaic

NLSA Helpline was founded on the belief that every individual struggling with addiction deserves access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment in a supportive environment. Our treatment center in Passaic, New Jersey was born from a deep understanding of the challenges that families and individuals face when confronting substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.

What began as a small outpatient practice has grown into a comprehensive addiction treatment facility serving the greater Passaic County area and communities throughout New Jersey. Over the years, our campus at 269 Gregory Ave has expanded to include residential programs, medical detoxification services, and a full spectrum of outpatient options, all under one roof. Every decision we have made has been guided by a single question: what gives our clients the best possible chance at lasting recovery?

Today, NLSA Helpline stands as a trusted resource for individuals and families seeking a way out of the cycle of addiction. Our multidisciplinary team brings together medical professionals, licensed clinical staff, and experienced counselors who share a common purpose: to meet every client exactly where they are and walk alongside them on the path to sustainable wellness.

Our Mission

To provide individualized, evidence-based addiction treatment that addresses the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — empowering lasting recovery and renewed hope in a safe, nurturing environment.

NLSA Helpline treatment facility exterior in Passaic, New Jersey

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

Compassion First

We approach every client with empathy and understanding, recognizing that addiction is a medical condition deserving of dignified, judgment-free care.

Clinical Excellence

Our programs are built on the latest research and proven methodologies, delivered by licensed professionals dedicated to the highest standards of care.

Individualized Care

No two recovery journeys are the same. We create personalized treatment plans that address each client's unique history, needs, and goals.

Community & Family

Recovery thrives in connection. We involve families in the healing process and build a supportive community that extends well beyond our facility walls.

Our Approach

Evidence-Based Treatment Philosophy

At NLSA Helpline, we combine clinically proven therapies with holistic wellness practices to treat the whole person. Our integrated approach addresses the physical, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of addiction, giving every client the comprehensive support they need for lasting recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT helps clients identify and restructure negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies that reduce the risk of relapse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

DBT teaches mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation skills that are essential for managing triggers and maintaining sobriety.

Group Therapy

Facilitated group sessions build a peer support network, reduce isolation, and allow clients to learn from shared experiences in a safe setting.

Individual Counseling

One-on-one sessions with licensed therapists provide a confidential space to explore the root causes of addiction and develop a personalized recovery plan.

Family Therapy

Addiction affects the entire family. Our family therapy sessions rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a healthier home environment for recovery.

12-Step Integration

We incorporate 12-Step principles as a complementary framework, connecting clients with a proven fellowship that supports lifelong sobriety.

Holistic Therapies

Yoga, meditation, art therapy, and mindfulness practices nurture the mind-body connection and provide healthy outlets for stress and emotional expression.

Continuum of Care

Your Journey With Us

Assessment & Intake

A comprehensive clinical evaluation determines the right level of care, identifies co-occurring conditions, and begins building your personalized treatment plan.

Medical Detoxification

When medically necessary, our 24/7 supervised detox program ensures safe, comfortable withdrawal management under the care of our medical team.

Residential Treatment

Immersive, structured programming in our Passaic facility provides intensive therapy, group work, and life skills development in a supportive residential setting.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP)

A step down from residential care, PHP offers full-day programming while allowing clients to return home or to sober living in the evenings.

Intensive Outpatient (IOP)

Flexible scheduling allows clients to continue their recovery with multiple weekly therapy sessions while returning to work, school, or family life.

Aftercare & Alumni Support

Ongoing relapse prevention planning, alumni gatherings, and continued access to support groups ensure the transition from treatment to everyday life is strong and sustained.

Our Team

Leadership You Can Trust

Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in addiction medicine, clinical counseling, and behavioral health administration. Every member of our staff shares a commitment to guiding clients toward lasting recovery.

Dr. Richard Hartwell

Executive Director

MBA, CASAC

With over 20 years of experience in behavioral health leadership, Dr. Hartwell oversees all operations at NLSA Helpline. His vision for client-centered care has shaped our facility into one of New Jersey's most respected treatment centers. He is dedicated to ensuring that every individual who walks through our doors receives the highest quality of care.

Dr. Angela Morales, MD

Medical Director

Board-Certified Addiction Medicine

Dr. Morales leads our medical team with expertise in addiction medicine and psychiatric care. Board-certified and fellowship-trained, she oversees all medical protocols, detoxification programs, and medication-assisted treatment plans to ensure the safety and comfort of every client at our Passaic facility.

Catherine Okafor, LCSW, LCDC

Clinical Director

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor

Catherine brings 15 years of clinical experience to NLSA Helpline, specializing in trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment. She supervises all therapeutic programming, trains our counseling staff, and ensures that each client's treatment plan reflects the latest in evidence-based practice.

Our Clinical Staff Credentials

Our treatment center employs a multidisciplinary team of over 40 professionals, including board-certified physicians, psychiatrists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC), Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC), registered nurses, and certified holistic wellness practitioners. Every member of our clinical staff undergoes ongoing training in evidence-based treatment modalities and trauma-informed care.

Amenities & Facilities

A Healing Environment for Recovery

Our campus in Passaic, NJ is designed to promote comfort, safety, and well-being at every step of the recovery process. From private accommodations to dedicated wellness spaces, every detail of our facility supports healing.

Private recovery rooms at NLSA Helpline treatment center

Fitness and wellness center at NLSA Helpline

Meditation garden and outdoor spaces at NLSA Helpline

Recreation and community room at NLSA Helpline

Private Rooms

Comfortable, well-appointed private and semi-private rooms offer a restful retreat for clients in our residential and detox programs.

Gourmet Meals

Nutritious, chef-prepared meals support physical restoration. Our kitchen accommodates dietary needs and preferences with fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Fitness Center

A fully equipped fitness center encourages physical wellness, with cardio machines, free weights, and guided exercise sessions led by trained staff.

Yoga Studio

Our dedicated yoga studio hosts daily sessions that promote flexibility, stress relief, and mind-body awareness as part of our holistic approach.

Meditation Garden

A serene outdoor space for quiet reflection, guided meditation, and nature-based therapy sessions that reconnect clients with a sense of inner peace.

Swimming Pool

Our therapeutic pool offers aquatic exercises and recreational swimming, supporting physical rehabilitation and providing a calming outlet for stress reduction.

Recreation Room

A welcoming space for socializing, games, and community building that fosters healthy relationships and provides positive leisure activities during recovery.

Art Therapy Room

A creative studio equipped for painting, drawing, music, and other expressive arts therapies that provide powerful tools for emotional processing and self-discovery.

Family Visiting Area

Comfortable, private meeting spaces where clients and their loved ones can reconnect during family therapy sessions and scheduled visiting hours.

Recovery Stories

Hear From Those We Have Helped

Real stories from real people whose lives have been transformed through our programs at NLSA Helpline.

The residential program at NLSA Helpline changed everything for me. The staff in Passaic treated me like family, and the CBT sessions gave me real tools for dealing with my triggers.

— David K.

Residential Program

I was skeptical about detox, but NLSA Helpline's medical team in Passaic was incredible. They monitored me 24/7 and made sure I was comfortable. I felt safe for the first time in years.

— Jennifer H.

Detox Program

The outpatient program let me rebuild my life while still getting professional support. The facility is beautiful and the counselors at NLSA Helpline truly understand addiction.

— Robert T.

Intensive Outpatient Program

My daughter went through the dual diagnosis program and came out a completely different person. NLSA Helpline's integrated approach to treating her anxiety alongside her addiction was exactly what she needed.

— Patricia A.

Family Member

After trying multiple treatment centers, NLSA Helpline in Passaic finally got it right. The holistic therapies combined with traditional counseling created a program that worked for me.

— Michael S.