Brick CareFocus in Brick, NJ

Pros

• Evan Zurawski is praised for treating clients with dignity and respect.
• Phllis is described as providing a good therapy experience and a good fit for clients seeking support.
• Morgan is noted as great for helping clients with their children and for a positive experience.
• Danica Gurdinak is an exceptional, caring, and professional therapist who makes clients feel heard and understood.
• Mindful Healing practitioners are professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate.
• Colleen is attentive, intelligent, and a strong listener who helps clients reconnect with their best self.
• Samantha is easy to work with and communicates effectively.
• Bethany is awesome, professional, and helps clients feel progress.
• Serenium's environment is calming and welcoming, with supportive and engaging staff.

Cons

• They would not recommend this place because a counselor failed to report abuse and did not follow up on concerns about their son.
• They described the staff as rude and lacking empathy, with the front desk and management seeming uncaring and focused on insurance payments.
• They felt the crisis-response was slow or nonresponsive, leaving clients feeling abandoned.
• They criticized Maxim Health Care (the agency) for unreliability, no-shows, and poor communication that ruined family plans.
• They stated the first intake experience was disappointing, noting staff changes and a perceived focus on discharging rather than making progress.
• They claimed the agency's staff did not prioritize patient well-being and appeared driven by billing or insurance concerns.
• They referenced a tragedy where a friend or family member died by suicide after delayed or absent outreach from crisis services.
• They warned that the service is not suitable for substance abuse or co-occurring disorders, saying they have no idea how to counsel such clients.
• They expressed distrust and said they would not trust this place, advising others to avoid it.

Review

Brick CareFocus in Brick, NJ is best suited for adults who want steady, therapy-focused support delivered in a calm, professional setting. The strongest fit occurs when a long-term therapeutic relationship is the goal: clients who value a careful intake, thoughtful clinician matching, and ongoing sessions that build real progress over time. For families seeking a stable, person-first mental health pathway rather than quick fixes, this community presents a compelling option, provided the experience centers on sustained engagement with a capable clinician.

Those who may want alternatives span several scenarios. If crisis responsiveness is the primary requirement, or if there is a need for immediate, integrated psychiatry and medication management without tying healthcare to a particular therapist, look elsewhere or seek additional supports. Variability in administrative reliability - such as missed calls, scheduling gaps, or turnover among providers - can undermine the experience, especially for those who depend on timely access and predictable communication. In short, if a swift, consistently dependable front-office and a stable clinician roster are nonnegotiable, evaluate other providers as well.

On the upside, the strongest pros in this space tend to center on high-quality clinicians who listen deeply, validate concerns, and help clients develop practical tools for daily life. Clients frequently report feeling respected, understood, and ultimately more capable of managing anxiety, depression, and related challenges. The environment itself is described as welcoming and conducive to openness, with meaningful progress reported by those who remain engaged over multiple sessions. When therapy is a collaborative, ongoing journey, these advantages translate into tangible improvements in mood, coping skills, and relationships.

However, the main cons orbit around operational consistency. Multiple reviews flag issues with responsiveness, front-desk courtesy, and reliability of scheduling. The friction of not hearing back promptly after outreach or encountering clinician turnover can disrupt momentum and erode trust, even when the therapeutic alliance itself is strong. In practice, these administrative gaps do not erase clinical gains, but they do limit accessibility and can make it harder for a family to sustain the commitment required for meaningful change. For anyone operating on a tight schedule or with constrained time windows, these gaps become material considerations.

The core question then becomes how well the pros offset the cons in a real-world setting. When Brick CareFocus secures consistently strong therapists who establish rapport quickly and sustain it over weeks and months, the benefits can vastly outweigh occasional administrative missteps. A stable clinician who understands a client's history, preferences, and goals can deliver a reliable path to progress, even if paperwork or wait times require attention. Telehealth and flexible scheduling can cushion some friction, turning a good therapeutic fit into a workable, ongoing practice that supports steady improvement rather than episodic relief.

Families evaluating Brick CareFocus should verify a few practical points before deciding. First, inquire about intake efficiency and therapist matching: how soon can a new client begin, and how is a good therapist pairing ensured? Second, ask about continuity: what happens if a therapist leaves, and how quickly can a replacement be found without losing progress? Third, confirm the scope of services, especially whether medication management and psychiatry are available on site or through a streamlined referral if needed. Finally, probe the reliability of administrative support: typical response times, cancellation policies, and how crises are handled outside scheduled sessions. These questions separate a solid, progress-driven practice from one where administrative friction undermines clinical gains.

Bottom line: Brick CareFocus represents a strong choice for adults who want consistent, compassionate therapy and are prepared to invest in a stable therapeutic relationship. The value rises markedly when the team delivers reliable clinician matching, steady progress, and a calm, respectful environment. If crisis-grade support, guaranteed rapid access to psychiatry, or flawless administrative reliability are essential, it will be prudent to compare alternatives or require clear commitments on crisis response and continuity. For clients ready to commit to a long-term mental health plan with a skilled, empathetic clinician, Brick CareFocus can be a remarkably effective partner in achieving meaningful, lasting change.

Restaurants

• Azzurro Pizzeria & Italian Grill (0.2 miles)
• Tacoholics (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.1 miles)
• Ikko Japanese Steak House (2.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.4 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (2.4 miles)

Physicians

• Shore Heart Group (0.5 miles)
• Nova Care Rehabilitation (0.5 miles)
• GenPsych, PC (2.1 miles)
• Fischer Family Medicine PA (2.2 miles)
• Jersey Shore Eyecare (2.4 miles)
• Garden State Pain and Radiology Center (3 miles)
• Central Jersey Hand Surgery (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Brick Plaza 1 (2.3 miles)

Parks

• Angela Hibbard Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Windward Beach Park (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Ocean Medical Center (3.7 miles)
• Children’s Specialized Hospital Outpatient and Long Term Care Center – Toms River Stevens Road (4.2 miles)
• Children's Specialized Hospital Outpatient Center – Toms River Lakehurst Road (5.7 miles)
• Community Medical Center For Kids & Family (5.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Presbyterian Church of Toms River (4.2 miles)

Transportation

• Toms River Bus Terminal (5.9 miles)