Behavioral Health

The Behavioral Health team provides multidisciplinary services that help a variety of pediatric patients and their families. Our team members, from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, have four primary areas of expertise:

• Teaching patients, their families and their medical caregivers about normal coping and adjustment of children and adolescents facing acute and chronic medical illnesses
• Assessing and managing emotional and physical pain in a developmentally appropriate manner
• Helping to support, guide and promote adaptive behavior in response to the stresses of illness
• Identifying psychopathology when present and making appropriate treatment recommendations

Our service provides care to patients admitted to the hospital and to outpatients in conjunction with the child’s medical care. Treatment options include psychoeducation, supportive psychotherapy, relaxation training, cognitive behavioral therapy and psychopharmacology. Treatments may be offered individually or family-based. Parent guidance is a key component.

Requests for a Behavioral Health consultation may be generated by any member of a Children’s Hospital medical or surgical team, including house staff, nursing and social services, as well as by parents or guardians. The child’s attending physician must approve the request.

Referral Requirements

Referrals are required from primary care physicians or other Children's Hospital specialty services. Referrals for patients enrolled in managed care insurance plans also may require authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician. All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before the patient's visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office number below.