Neurology

Behavioral health clinicians in neurology provide assessments and treatments for children with headaches and movement disorders.

Our providers are dedicated to providing each child and his or her family with the latest, most effective care available.

Headache Clinic Behavioral Health Services

The role of the behavioral health clinician in the Headache Clinic is to provide comprehensive psychological evaluations and treatment.

Treatment consists of:

• Stress management.
• Non-pharmacological interventions for pain.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy.

As stress is a main trigger for headache — and headaches are also stressful to the body — we provide education regarding the relationship between pain and stress.

Patients taught to identify the stress response in their body and learn ways to cope with stress, called non-pharmacological interventions for pain, including:

• Relaxation training — diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and autogenics.
• Mindfulness training.
• Biofeedback training.

We use cognitive behavioral therapy to address the impact that emotional distress and negative thinking may have on headaches.

Movement Disorders Clinic Behavioral Health Services

The role of the behavioral health clinician within the Movement Disorders Clinic is to provide Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) to children with tic disorders and Tourette Syndrome.

CBIT is a highly structured treatment that takes place over 8 to 12 sessions and involves:

• Functional based assessment.
• Awareness training.
• Competing response training.
• Relaxation training and methods to maintain therapeutic gains.

Meet Our Neuro Behavioral Health Team

Carinna Scotti-Degnan, PhD has certification in CBIT from the Tourette Syndrome Association’s Behavioral Therapy Institute.

Behavioral health experts in the Division of Child Neurology have a strong commitment:

• Continuing medical education.
• Evidence-based practice.
• Training students in the behavioral health field.