First Psychiatric Unit In NJ For Women With Trauma Has Opened In Wyckoff

WYCKOFF, NJ — Nurse Practitioner Alexis Totaro remembers an elderly patient she was treating at the hospital not long ago who refused to let the staff help change her adult diaper. Eventually the patient revealed that she had been molested as a child. She had never gotten therapy for it.

Totaro also remembers treating women who've had multiple miscarriages and after another loss, acutely needed help for depression.

Starting Jan. 2, a small, 12-bed unit opened at Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health in Wyckoff specifically to treat women who've experienced trauma.

Totaro is in charge of the new unit, called "Haven at Ramapo Ridge," a section of the 58-unit Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health, which is a small psychiatric facility in the Christian Health hospital network.

The new program is the first of its kind in Bergen County, and the only inpatient women’s program in New Jersey, Christian Health officials say.

Totaro said this week that while the women only stay an average of a week to ten days, they're admitted there in severe crisis, and get the chance to be stabilized before moving on to other treatments and/or facilities.

Saw A Need And Filled It

Federal law requires non-profit hospitals to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years to ensure that the facility is meeting a community need.

She noted that hospitals are expected to look for unmet needs and "work together" to serve the community, rather
than trying to compete for the same patients.

Totaro said that the facility had seen patients dealing with unresolved trauma that was unique to women, such as related to pregnancy or domestic violence.

When asked what's unique about women's trauma, Totaro said, "What's not unique about it? Trauma means something different for everyone. There are people who experienced childhood abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, that's the majority of patients we see, but some have other needs that may not seem as serious on the surface — repeated pregnancy loss, infertility, PPD."

She noted, "We have seen a large amount of geriatric women who lost everyone in their family, and they're the last one living, recent widows. People struggling with loss in general."

"Trauma itself changes the brain chemistry," she added. "Their brain is really on fire, always on high alert. That really differentiates trauma patients from those struggling mother mental health disorders. You can have more than one [disorder]. There's usually a complex treatment plan."

Totaro said that patients may have talk therapy, group therapy with people in similar situations, and if needed, medications.

Moving On

Once stabilized, they may go to an outpatient program several times a week, be moved to a subacute care or memory care facility, or have another treatment plan. Some people will stay longer.

"Patients at Haven will have personalized care plans that lay out a path to healing in a safe space separate from the general population, which allows privacy, a sense of security and stability away from triggers, and a peaceful environment for group therapy sessions," says a release about the new facility.

Totaro noted that health providers have seen cases in which women want to leave a facility before their treatment was finished because they felt uncomfortable being in a co-ed unit. The Haven may feel safer for them.

"All rooms in the secure area are painted and furnished to create a space that feels welcoming and calming," said the release. "The program’s team members, including nurses and nursing assistants, social workers, and those providing therapeutic activities, have been thoroughly trained in women’s trauma and trauma-informed care.

"Therapeutic group sessions will be small to allow for the proper facilitation and processing of group content and sharing, which enables true trauma-informed care."

Totaro, whose title is vice president of mental health services-chief nurse executive at Christian Health, said that the program will expand if there's a need.

“Our mission is to continue growing, expanding, and tailoring our services to better meet the changing needs of our community,” said Doug Struyk, the CEO of Christian Health. “We are very excited to offer this important, specialized program in a safe and secure environment and help so many women who are struggling."

Haven is dedicated to the memory of Rose Patek, former President of Jewels of Charity, Inc. and The Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, two organizations that supported the development of the program with their donations.

“Rose made a significant impact supporting so many charities and organizations around the world,” said Struyk. "Dedicating this important healing space for women in Rose’s name embodies her loving heart and compassion as a female leader in philanthropy.”

Founded in 1911, Christian Health is a nonprofit health care organization offering senior living, short-term rehabilitation, and mental health services. Find out more about the new unit here.