Mental Health Resources
Our philosophy on treating mental health.
Most kids benefit from therapy. Medication (which can be at potentially managed by our pediatric team) is often helpful. Medication works best when combined with therapy. Therapy, in addition to being a place where kids can “open up” in a safe and supported space is a place too, where they work on the skill set needed to move past their challenges. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a model of this type of skills building therapy. For younger children, play (music or art) therapy may be more appropriate - along with teaching parents how to deal with a child’s behavior concerns.
Life evolves/things change.
What fits at one age/grade/year may not work in the next phase. When managing mental health, the early visits are intense and frequent as we work to create a plan. We may use a series of visits and surveys to help direct our path - and follow up (at least every three months) to make sure our recommendations are still on track.
It takes a team approach.
Nobody is expected to do this by themselves. The child, family and clinician are only 3 (minimal) pieces of the puzzle. We prefer to engage with school, other therapists or specialists when needed. It is important to remember too that these records are private - and that sharing this information is carefully done with permission unless there is an emergency. Collecting information and speaking with others on the team in a confidential manner is something we take seriously.
Resources
It may take some time to get the best team together. There are online tools families can use immediately to help kids feel better. We have a list of some of our favorite books, apps and websites. Please call our office with changes/concerns between appointments if you need assistance. Included are emergency numbers as well.
Websites
Anxiety Canad: Anxiety resources for kids and teens, includes MindShift CBT groups and My Anxiety Plan resources
Coping Skills for Kid: Practical ways to help kids cope with stress, anxiety, and anger. Includes a section on multiple deep breathing exercises for kids.
LiveWell Foundation: Mental Wellness, Depression & Anxiety Online Support Group for Teens
CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD): Includes Parenting a Child with ADHD, Training and Support for Parents, Parent to Parent training options. Also in Spanish.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Includes many resources on a wide range of mental health conditions as well as a child and adolescent psychiatrist finder
Child Anxiety Network
WorryWiseKids: Information to understand anxiety and pick up on warning signs
The Trevor Project: For LGBTQA youth
Healthy Minds Philly
Anxiety and Depression Association of America
American Academy of Pediatrics articles on various mental health problems
Apps available from the Apple Store or Google Play
Woebot: Mental health chatbot
Calm: Meditation and sleep
Insight Timer: Sleep, anxiety, and stress
Mindshift-CBT: Free evidenced-based anxiety relief
Selfsea: Connects teens to community supports
Books
Breaking Free of Child Anxiety and OCD: A Scientifically Proven Program for Parents by Eli Lebowitz: A book for parents who wish to modify their own behavior to assist their anxious child. Based on the Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) program developed at Yale Child Study Center.
Treating Childhood and Adolescent Anxiety: A Guide for Caregivers by Eli Lebowitz and Haim Omer
Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Victoria Dunckley
More books for kids and parents about anxiety
Finding a therapist
There are many ways to define “best fit” for therapy for your child. Consider location, availability, personality and cost at the very least.
- You may start by contacting your health insurance plan for a list of therapists in network.
- We maintain a list of local therapists - but not all will take your insurance (some take none).
- This is true of psychiatrists as well. The local children’s hospitals including Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Nemours AI duPont Hospital for Children (with locations in Delaware and at Jefferson), and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (SCHC) also offer services but often have long wait lists.
Local Therapists
Parent to child: 215-450-5271
Child and Family Art Therapy Center: 610-649-1080
Equilibria: 267-861-3685
Valerie Braunstein PsyD: 610-952-6725
Hope Nichols, LMFT: 610-348-0309
Erica Sobel, LCSW: 267-815-1428
Andrienne Gioe: 215-923-9591
LifeStance Health: 610-892-3800
Parents Involved Network: 267-507-3860
Temple Anxiety disorder clinic: 215-204-7165
Karen Dybner-Madero, Psy.D.: 215-636-0887
Child Guidance Resource Center: 484-454-8700
Drexel University Psychological Services Center: 215-553-7128
Gemma Services: 215-247-1427
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT): help finding CBT therapists in your area
Cap4kids.org: a long list of even more therapists!
List of Psychiatrists
Hall Mercer (for Medicaid): 215-829-3461
Jefferon Psychiatry: 1-800-JEFF-NOW
CATCH: 215-755-0500
Crisis numbers
Friends Hospital: 215-831-4600
Einstein's Crisis Response Center: 215-951-8300
Philadelphia Crisis Line: 215-686-4420
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (National suicide prevention hotline): Call or Text 988, you can also chat from website
Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing sites
Pitts Psychological Services: 215-681-6665
Equilibria: 267-861-3685
Dr. Martha Benoff, PhD: 215-545-2700
Sarah M. Evans, Psy.D: 215-970-2367
Temple (multiple locations in city)
Dr. Brittnie Blanchard: https://thecenterinpa.com/
