Behavioral Health

What it involves

In cooperation with community-based mental health providers, we evaluate and treat children for behavior concerns and school problems, including inattention and lack of focus, anxiety, and depression.

Call the office to speak with the Behavioral Health Coordinator to discuss your concerns and gather information. If needed, a Behavioral Evaluation is scheduled and assessment tools are assigned to complete prior to the visit.

What to expect

1. Complete the assigned assessments at least one week prior to the appointment.

2. Arrive 10 minutes early on the day of the appointment.

3. Ideally, your child should eat a nutritious meal beforehand and be well-rested.

4. A nurse meets with you and your child for approximately 20 minutes to take a medical and behavioral history.

5. The doctor performs a thorough assessment and develops a management plan.

6. Providers may recommend additional counseling.

7. If medication is prescribed, a follow-up is required within 28 days to assess progress and determine refill eligibility.

8. The patient coordinator schedules the follow-up before you leave.

Assessments we use

Ages 5–12

• Vanderbilt Assessment — Parent Initial

• Vanderbilt Assessment — Teacher Initial

• Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) — Parent

• Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) — Child

• Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)

Ages 13–18

All of the above, plus:

• Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)

• CRAFFT screening tool

Used case by case: Child Obsessional Compulsive Inventory — Parent and Child (CHOCI).

Completing the assessments

1. Complete the parent assessments through the patient portal.

2. Your child receives a portal account to complete their assessments privately.

3. Invite your child's teacher to complete an assessment via the patient portal.

4. All assessments must be completed before the day of your child's appointment.

Ongoing medication management

If medication is started, your child must be seen within 28 days after the initial evaluation. If your child is doing well, subsequent appointments are every 3 months. Regular visits are required for medication refills.