November Mental and Behavioral Health Roundup

Seattle Children’s Early Psychosis Clinic Accepting Referrals

The Seattle Children’s Hospital Early Psychosis Clinic (EPC) is accepting referrals for new patients! EPC provides diagnostic evaluations for youth ages 13-18 experiencing symptoms concerning for psychosis such as hallucinations, delusions, and/or unexplained behavior changes. Psychosis evaluations typically include a psychodiagnostic assessment by a postdoctoral psychology fellow and a feedback session to provide psychoeducation regarding the diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and referrals to the appropriate Seattle Children’s or community resources. Individual psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis) and consultation with child and adolescent psychiatry fellows regarding medication management are also available if these services are considered appropriate following the evaluation. To refer a patient for a psychosis evaluation, complete and fax the New Appointment Request Form. Please contact Kelsey Straub, PhD with any questions.

Openings Available for Seattle Children’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

Our OCD Intensive Outpatient Program helps children and teens age 11 to 18 (or senior in high school) diagnosed with OCD who have not been able to make progress in regular outpatient treatment and who have a parent or guardian able to attend each session (3 hours a day, 4 days a week) for the entire program. The treatment approach is cognitive behavior therapy for OCD which emphasizes exposure and response prevention. The program is in-person at Seattle Children’s Magnuson and requires a referral.

The program does have exclusionary criteria that should be reviewed prior to referral, including:

• Self-harm and/or active suicidal ideation with intent to self-harm within last 3 months or chronic history of self-harm without evidence of adequate coping skills needed to tolerate the extreme stress that exposure treatment is likely to produce.
• Violence or threatening violence within the last 3 months
• Active disordered eating within the last 3 months (e.g., Anorexia, Avoidant Restrictive Eating Disorder).
• Significant developmental delays or persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction that would result in the patient being unable to participate in the in-person group treatment without extensive support

On-Demand Classes for Families: Finding Mental Health Care in Washington

A team of case managers passionate about providing concrete information on navigating and accessing mental health care has put together an on-demand video series for families about how to access resources in the community. The  free, self-paced class covers topics such as how to navigate insurance, finding a provider, information on different levels of care, and what to do in a crisis.

Free ADHD Children’s eBook Download from Dr. Erin Gonzalez

Darcy Dreamer is Dr. Gonzalez’s second children’s book about ADHD, this time about a girl with ADHD – Inattentive Type and learning challenges. The book shares classroom and home supports for focus and organizational skills, including some info about 504 Plans. The book is available on Amazon and Dr. Gonzalez is generously offering a free download of the eBook on November 7 – mark your calendars!