The basics:

• Serenium Therapy and Wellness launches a 30-day digital detox
• Program helps individuals manage phone and social media use
• Focuses on reducing technostress and improving mental health

Amid rising concerns over screen dependency and overall wellbeing, a New Jersey-based mental health practice has launched a detox program to counter the growing digital overload associated with phones, wearables and social media.

Through the 30-day offering, Serenium Therapy and Wellness aims to give participants a structured retreat from constant connectivity in both their personal and professional lives.

While phone and technology use are often essential, overuse can cause anxiety, depression, sleep disruption and strained relationships, mental health experts say.

This kind of digital overload – known as technostress – happens when people feel pressured to stay constantly connected or overwhelmed by information and notifications. Common signs include fatigue, sleep issues, irritability, trouble focusing and compulsive phone use — all of which can make it hard to fully disconnect and recharge.

Across the U.S., experts warn that phone and social media overuse has reached alarming levels, with more than half of adults admitting they feel addicted to their devices and many checking their phones hundreds of times a day. A recent survey put the average amount of time that Americans spend on their phones each day at about five hours.

In New Jersey, there’s growing concern over the impact of excessive phone and social media use – especially among kids. A September 2025 study by a state-created commission on the effects of social media usage on adolescents linked too much screen time with anxiety, sleep, disruption and depressive symptoms.

Not just for the kids

It’s not just an issue among the younger set. Adults are also feeling more technostress as constant connectivity blurs the line between work and personal life.

Thanks to nonstop streams of emails, messages and updates, many feel a sense of information overload, as well as the need of being “always on.” Rapid technological changes and social media distractions add to the pressure, leaving people mentally exhausted and dependent on their devices, according to a June 2024 study by the Leeds School of Business at University of Colorado Boulder.

Wearables like fitness trackers, smartwatches and health monitors also can contribute to technostress. Although such devices offer benefits like tracking activity, sleep and heart rate, they also require constant attention via notifications, alerts and reminders and create pressure to meet goals of step counts or exercise targets. Additionally, they can increase dependency on data because users may feel compelled to monitor metrics continuously.

So, while wearables do promote health awareness, they can also add to the same stress, fatigue and compulsive checking patterns associated with phones and social media. But the majority of people don’t consider their digital habits to be problematic, Serenium Clinical Director Allison Devlin said.

“For many, if everyone is doing it, it can’t be that big of an issue. However, when people start to realize that as they use their phone they may have trouble sleeping, feel more anxious or stressed, or have their personal relationships start mentioning how much they are on their phone, it’s a sign something needs to change,” she said.

“Digital devices keep us constantly connected when we don’t need to be. We may put our phone down, but we’re in yoga with an Apple Watch notifying us of every call and email. The constant fatigue of being on a screen puts strain on our eyes, disrupts our ability to sleep and leaves us exhausted,” she went on.

Finding balance

According to Devlin, Serenium was driven to create its “30 Day Digital Reset Program” to help adults and teenagers “find a sense of balance and control when it comes to phone use to keep their mental health and relationships as more of a priority.”

“We noticed in sessions with clients how much social media was affecting people’s mental health and how the constant use of the phone was creating a disconnect in couples. We also are aware that for some, therapy can still feel intimidating to begin or for others; they’re not sure what to say when starting sessions with a therapist,” she explained.

Founded in 2021, Serenium offers both statewide virtual care and in-person therapy at its three offices (Brick, Manalapan and Cranford) to individuals, couples and families. Its network of 100-plus therapists have helped over 8,500 clients address issues such as anxiety, depression and life transitions.

Locations are coming soon to Hackensack and Cherry Hill, Serenium’s website noted.

Serenium is also one of the few practices in New Jersey to accept Medicaid and Employee Assistance Programs, making high-quality therapy available to individuals and families who might otherwise face financial barriers to care. Additionally, Serenium provides multilingual services, further reinforcing its mission to serve diverse communities.

As part of its commitment to ongoing care, Serenium provides “Wellness Check-Ins.” The structured follow-up program offers clients a check-in six months after completing therapy. These follow-ups provide an opportunity to reassess progress, address new concerns and reinforce long-term mental well-being, the practice said.

‘Long-term well-being’

Up until March, the practice was known as Mindful Healing. However, the provider rebranded as Serenium Therapy and Wellness because it felt the name “represents an expanded commitment in mental health care to meeting people where they are – physically, emotionally and financially – through a flexible, hybrid model that prioritizes long-term well-being.”

According to Devlin, therapists were already working with patients to address issues that stem from use of phones and social media.

“We see concerns around the anxiety that social media provides and the constant comparison to others, the stress of dating apps, the fears around a partner’s online activity and even the addictive nature of mobile gaming. Clients have also expressed the constant disconnect they feel from the world while being on the phone. Because of the frequency of these challenges, we decided to create a more formal program for new and current clients that can solely focus on this topic,” she said.

At Serenium, the digital detox is designed to help clients reclaim balance in their digital lives and address the mental health challenges tied to constant phone and social media, according to Devlin.

“The approach isn’t about labeling phone use as an ‘addiction.’ Instead, the program emphasizes how phone habits influence emotional balance, mental health, and relationships, empowering participants to use technology intentionally without feeling overwhelmed,” she said.

What to expect

During the four-week program, clients work with a therapist once a week to create a new digital routine. Though it is also offered virtually, Serenium said those seeking the full experience may get the most benefit by participating in person at one of its offices.

The practice accepts most insurance plans and offers options to pay out-of-pocket for this program as well.

“It’s not about completely stopping the use of the phone or social media, although for some they may find that’s what they want to do, but it’s more about putting wellness at the forefront of people’s lives,” Devlin explained.

“Just like a nutritionist or personal trainer helps you learn healthy eating habits, therapy can help you practice wellness in the digital age that fits your life,” she added.

According to Serenium, the program is divided up into four topics:

• Week One: Uncover Your Patterns (Discovering when and why you reach for your phone, and how it might tie to feelings of anxiety, comparison, or even act as a source of distraction)
• Week Two: Discover What You’re Really Craving (Exploring the deeper needs behind your scrolling)
• Week Three: Learn to Set Boundaries & Find Balance (Setting boundaries that protect your well-being, relationships and focus without guilt or shame)
• Week Four: Find Enjoyment in the Present Moment (Learning to enjoy the present moment more often without technology is crucial to your mental health)

Just like a nutritionist or personal trainer helps you learn healthy eating habits, therapy can help you practice wellness in the digital age that fits your life
– Allison Devlin, Serenium clinical director

According to Devlin, the program’s overall goal is to prevent poor digital habits from becoming a greater problem or addiction.

“Addiction is anything that we do enough that affects our everyday life from interfering with our health to our relationships and is something we have trouble stopping. In addition, things like gambling and other forms of addiction have the potential to be increased on phones as well,” she said.

Devlin said, “The first part is about awareness. It’s good to check how many hours you’re on your phone a day which your device can tell you and then journal each day how you feel about that number and that experience. What are you feeling? Have other people mentioned to you that you’re on the phone all the time and feeling like you’re not paying attention to them? Do you feel like you can’t go to a social setting without looking at your phone?”

“Awareness is the first step and then it’s about consciously taking steps to change that habit. One option is to set daily time limits on your phone — many devices allow you to restrict access to certain apps during specific times. For more structured support, Serenium’s 30 Day Digital Reset Program will help you gain more insights and stay accountable is a great next step,” she explained.