Pediatric Behavioral Health Clinics
Behavioral health clinics are devoted to assess and effectively address a wide range of behavioral challenges to improve the quality of life for children, adolescents and families.
Designed for children between birth and age 19, MMI's behavioral health services are delivered through specialty clinics that provide evidence-based assessment and treatment for academic, behavioral, developmental, emotional and social issues.
- Many of these clinics are integrated into primary care offices and are a cooperative effort between your physician and the Department of Psychology at UNMC.
- Other clinics are located at Munroe-Meyer Institute.
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Evidence-Based Assessment
The first session will include a careful assessment to gather information to help therapists understand the nature of the concern and potential course of treatment.
From the onset of treatment, clear goals are developed in collaboration with the family to:
- Improve the functioning of the child.
- Improve the functioning of the child’s surrounding family and support system.
Research-Supported Approach
Specific treatment strategies applied in our Behavioral Health Clinics depend on the main concerns presented by the family.
Reasons for Referral
Common General Behavioral Health Issues
- Adjustment-related problems.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Behavioral concerns
- Aggression, destructive or disruptive behavior, defiance, opposition.
- Chronic pain.
- Conduct disorder (e.g., lying, stealing).
- Elimination problems (e.g., bedwetting, toileting/soiling accidents).
- Emotion-regulation difficulties
- Anger management, anxiety and panic, fears and phobias, impulse-control difficulties, mood disorders and depression, obsessions and compulsions, stress management.
- Family transition issues.
- Feeding/mealtime concerns.
- Hygiene.
- Intellectual disabilities.
- Medical treatment adherence.
- Mild self-harm/poor coping.
- Parent-child conflicts.
- Parent-teen communication difficulties.
- Pervasive developmental disorders.
- School-related difficulties.
- Sleep problems.
- Social skills problems.
- Tics and habits.
Situational Issues
Families may face various unique and specific stressors related to their child's behavior.
- Bullying.
- Divorce or separation.
- Lack of social support.
- Military deployment.
- Peer conflict.
- Transition to a new environment.
- Traumatic brain injury.
What to Expect at an Appointment
Unless individual therapy is warranted, the patient and caregivers attend sessions together.
Caregiver input is critical for the first assessment appointment, called a psychological evaluation, to determine the nature of the issue and a potential course of treatment. The first assessment visit will include:
- A semi-structured clinical interview with caregivers.
- Relevant questionnaires.
- Observation of family interaction.
It is not uncommon for the assessment and treatment process to involve consultation with relevant external systems (school, other health care providers) and a review of previous mental health records.
Treatment also often includes skills training and practice in session, as well as problem-solving responses to behaviors that occur outside of session. Caregivers and children are typically given strategies to practice between office visits to improve behaviors and coping.
Clinic Details
In addition to behavioral health assessment and treatment, we also provide the following services.
- Applied Behavior Analysis.
- Biofeedback.
- Independent education evaluations.
- Neurobehavioral services.
- Neuropsychological testing.
- Psychological testing.
- School consultation.
Once the assessment is complete and a treatment plan is developed, therapy sessions are usually scheduled weekly or every other week. The number of therapy sessions depends on the nature and severity of the needs and goals, but between five and 10 visits is common.
Parents and caregivers are a vital part of therapy and are often heavily involved in treatment recommendations. Depending on the main concerns presented by the family, much of the time in session may be spent problem-solving parent and caregiver responses to behavior to support the client at home.
Explore parent and caregiver resources.
- Graduate-level behavioral therapists, post-doctoral fellows and licensed psychologists who are specially trained in behavioral pediatrics all provide services for MMI’s Behavioral Health Clinics.
- In most clinics, graduate-level behavioral therapists assist or provide therapy alongside licensed psychologists.
- All clinical services are supervised by licensed psychologists.
Many of the Behavioral Health Clinics are integrated within primary-care clinics throughout the Omaha community and in clinics across the state of Nebraska, including rural locations. Families may also be seen at MMI's main location near the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Scott Campus.
We may also be able to provide telehealth services. To learn more, contact MMI's Department of Psychology at 402-559-6408.
Services are covered under the mental health portion of most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare. If you are not sure about coverage, contact your insurance carrier or the benefits office at your place of employment and ask about your coverage.
Individuals seen in this clinic are registered as patients in the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute system, which is responsible for all billing and record management. Financial assistance may be available for those that do not have insurance coverage.
- Browse clinic locations to find the Behavioral Health Clinic nearest you. Call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment or to learn more information.
- For additional information about these clinics, call MMI's Department of Psychology. 402-559-6408 | 1-800-656-3937 ext. 96408
Clinic Locations
Many Behavioral Health Clinics are integrated within primary-care clinics in Omaha and across Nebraska. Find a clinic near you to make an appointment.