Mental Health Clinic at Children First
The development and growth of children depends on their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Emotional and behavioral problems are estimated to affect one in every five children, but less than half of those children receive the help they need. Thus, Children First Pediatrics has developed the Mental Health Clinic to provide integrated care to children, teens and their families.
The Mental Health Clinic is staffed by Psychologists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers working with all ages from Pre-School through Adulthood and their families. Our goal is to collaborate with your child’s pediatrician to provide comprehensive assessment and treatment for common childhood issues in school, home, or primary care settings. Our mental health team works closely with your Primary Care Provider at Children First to be sure you are getting a complete medical home model of high quality care and follow up. Should your child need medication in addition to therapy, our Pediatricians can manage that for you.
Services of the Clinic include psychological testing (coming in January 2019) and therapy for families, children, and adolescents for a wide range of behavioral and emotional concerns, including: Anxiety, Depression/Mood concerns, Attention problems, Anger control and behavior concerns, Adjustment to life stressors, School concerns, Sleep problems, Toileting problem, Autism Spectrum Disorders / Developmental Delay, Pain & Chronic Illness, Adherence to Medical Treatments & Pill Swallowing, Social skills deficits / Relationship problems, Healing from Trauma / Abuse, and Adoption/Foster Care issues.
Our mental health providers take an active, practical, and evidenced-based approach to treatment. Services begin with a thorough intake evaluation and initial recommendations are provided in the first one or two sessions. Additional psychological assessment or therapy services are scheduled based on your child’s presenting concerns and based on availability. In general, regular and consistent attendance to sessions by both your child and his/her parent(s) is necessary for therapy to be effective.
Some things to know before you schedule an appointment:
- Our intake visits require a parent present regardless of the age of the child if under 18 yrs old.
- There is no grace period for your therapy/intake visits to stay on time for appointments after you.
- There is a no-show policy of $125 for failure to cancel your appointment more than 24hrs in advance.
- Our therapists bill to your mental health benefits through your insurance under Children First Pediatrics.
- Copay/Deductible may apply and are due at the time of the visit.
- Therapy notes are NOT posted on the patient portal or included in copies of medical records for the privacy protection of the patient.
- All therapy/intake appointments last for about 1 hr.
To schedule an appointment, call 301-990-1664 , press x111 for appointments.
Our Mental Health Clinic Providers:
Jennifer Blair, Psy. D.
Sara Feldman, LCSW-C
Holly English, LCSW-C
