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Research: Pediatric Behavioral Health
Research: Pediatric Behavioral Health
Our Behavioral Health program offers personalized care for diverse mental and behavioral health conditions
Around 600,000 children in Texas have behavioral and mental health care needs. Children’s Health℠ is home to one of the nation’s most comprehensive Behavioral Health programs specializing in diagnosing and treating psychological and psychiatric conditions. Our compassionate experts help children and teens with diverse concerns, including anxiety, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders and more. Our services include psychological assessments, psychiatric consultations and clinical therapy to support children impacted by emotional, mental, behavioral or social-functioning issues.
We are committed to helping every patient receive the mental health support they need to feel better, so they thrive.
Highlights
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Why ADHD gets overlooked and how providers can meet the need for treatment
Research shows that attention-enhancing medications combined with behavioral strategies is the most effective approach to ADHD. Learn more about the practical skills that can make a big difference for kids and their families. Read more »
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BHIG program is increasing Children’s access to mental health care in Texas and beyond
Children's Health is leading the way in increasing access to mental health care by partnering with Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to launch the Behavioral Health Integration and Guidance (BHIG) initiative. This unique program trains primary care providers to detect and treat common mental health conditions in children, helping them receive prompt, expert care. Read more »
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Supporting neurodevelopment of pediatric heart patients: 4 new initiatives
New cardiac neurodevelopmental initiatives at Children’s Health identify neurodevelopmental concerns in children with heart conditions early. See how our team ensures pediatric heart patients enjoy success in school and life. Read more »
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A new way to manage behavioral issues in children with congenital heart disease
Parent-child interaction therapy is real-time coaching to provide caregivers with skills for positive behavior management. Learn how our pediatric psychologists are adapting this proven therapy for families of children with congenital heart disease to support their neurodevelopment, relieve caregiver stress and improve patient outcomes. Read more »
Our Programs
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program for Autism
- Pediatric Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Treatment Program
- Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
- UT Southwestern and Children's Health℠ Center for Autism Care
- Pediatric Depression Clinic
- Childhood Eating Disorders Treatment
- Expert Care for Children With Conditions That Affect Brain Function
- Pediatric Health Psychology
- Pediatric Integrated Behavioral Health Program
- Pediatric Psychiatry Consult Services
- Pediatric Day Treatment Program
- Suicide Prevention and Resilience at Children’s (SPARC)
- Teen Recovery Program
Psychiatry Research Overview
Behavioral Health experts at Children’s Health partner with UT Southwestern on clinical research, recruitment and trials. Learn about our latest innovations in care and cutting-edge studies:
Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network (TX-CTRN) We are one of 12 TX-CTRN sites across Texas. Participants are recruited from areas such as the trauma unit, outpatient psychiatry, consult services, dialysis, hematology and oncology. Children and their legal guardians complete six assessments across two years, where we evaluate their trauma history, mood symptoms, treatment history, suicidality and other social aspects affecting their health. Principal Investigator: Sunita Stewart, Ph.D.
Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX- YDSRN) TX-YDSRN is a multi-site study led by its hub site at UTSW. Eligible patients within outpatient psychiatry, intensive outpatient therapy and partial hospitalization programs are recruited for this study. Initially designed to be a two-year study, TX-YDSRN will continue to collect data from youth for up to 10 years. We conduct in-depth assessments of mood symptoms, suicidal ideation and behavior, associated comorbidities, treatment history, services use and social determinants of health. Principal Investigators: Beth Kennard, Psy.D., and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.
A Multi-Site Study to Compare the Outcomes of Psychiatric Treatment of Suicidal Adolescents in Different Treatment Setting (START II)UTSW is one of four START II sites across the nation. Suicidal youth who could be appropriate for multiple treatment settings are assessed and discharged to either an outpatient crisis intervention clinic (Suicide Prevention and Resilience at Childrens) or inpatient care. Participants and their legal guardians remotely complete surveys for six months following their mental health crisis to compare risk of suicidal events, treatment satisfaction, and life satisfaction between treatment settings. Principal Investigators: Beth Kennard, Psy.D., and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.
Characterizing Inflammatory Profiles in Suicidal Behaviors in Adolescents The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has awarded a three-year grant to develop immune profiles for adolescents with suicidal behavior and those at risk. This study recruits adolescents with suicidal behaviors who may be at risk for MDD or bipolar disorder from Children’s Health Dallas, Children’s Health Plano and from the community. Participants complete various evaluations and self-report measures to assess demographics, clinical characteristics, mood symptoms, and biological samples with the goal of developing immune profiles for adolescents with suicidal behavior and those at risk. Principal Investigators: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D. and Graham J. Emslie, M.D.
Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Acute-Course of Ketamine Versus Midazolam for Recurrence of Suicidality in Adolescents (TASK) This study is funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant awarded to the Center for Depression Research and Clinical care. Adolescents who have had a recent suicidal event may be recruited from various departments at Children’s or from the community to participate in the TASK study. Participants will either receive four Ketamine or Midazolam infusions throughout a two-week period and complete assessments about their depression symptoms and suicidal events over the entire 12-week study period. Principal Investigators: Madhukar Trivedi, M.D., Graham J. Emslie, M.D., and Beth Kennard, Psy.D.
Meet the Care Team
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Urszula Kelley, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
James Norcross, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
David Atkinson, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Emine Ayvaci, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Sabrina Browne, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Kaylee Davis-Bordovsky, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Andrew Diederich, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Stephen Elliott, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Graham Emslie, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Mohanika Gowda, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Joseph Guillory, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Medha Iyer, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Catherine Karni, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Katherine Kerr, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Mili Khandheria, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Jane Miles, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Charles Odom, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
IPIan Parsley, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist
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Michael Preston, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Nitya Sreevalsan, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Laura Stone, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
J Trello-Rishel, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
Caroline Walker, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
M Elizabeth Weidmer-Mikhail, MD Pediatric Psychiatrist -
RARanya Alnatour, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist - Cancer and Blood Disorders
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Adrienne Anderson, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
W. David Brown, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Sleep Medicine -
Julie Germann, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Lana Harder, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Laura Kuper, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Katherine Mount, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Autism -
Jenna Oppenheim, PsyD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Stevie Puckett-Perez, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist - Gastroenterology (GI) -
ESEileen Santa-Sosa, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist - NICU/Thrive
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Kristin Scott, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Foster Care -
Marsha Siebenmorgen, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Hillary Kimbley, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Neurology -
Corinne Anton, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist - Cardiology -
Laura Austin, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Randi Cheatham-Johnson, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Cardiology -
Andrew McGarrahan, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Sarah Pennant, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Kelli Triplett, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Transplant -
Juliana Alba-Suarez, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - Pulmonology -
Jamie Becker, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Angela Canas, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Alexis Clyde, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Jordan Constance, PhD Pediatric NeuroPsychologist -
Candace Genest, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Jasmine Ghannadpour, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Sarah Hall, PhD Psychologist -
Jessica Heerschap, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Celia Heppner, PsyD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist - Plastic Surgery -
Abby Hodges, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Suzanne Holm, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Jennifer Hoover, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist -
Adrienne Hunnicutt, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist, Clinical Practice Manager -
Betsy Kennard, PsyD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
EKErin Kennedy, PsyD Pediatric Neuropsychologist
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Katherine Magnuson, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist -
Joy Neumann, PsyD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Jyotsna Panthee, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist -
EPErica Pollock, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist
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Eman Rettig, PsyD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Lisa Schuster, PhD Pediatric Psychologist - REACH -
Clinton Smith, PsyD Pediatric Psychologist - Foster Care -
Sunita Stewart, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Andrea Wahlberg, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
Connie Wang, APRN, PMHNP-BC Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatry -
Nicholas Westers, PsyD, ABPP Pediatric Psychologist -
Alicia Wheelington, PhD Pediatric Psychologist -
Alison Wilkinson-Smith, PhD, ABPP Pediatric Neuropsychologist -
LWLeigha Williams, APRN, PMHNP-BC Nurse Practitioner - Psychiatry
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Kristin Wolfe, PhD Pediatric Psychologist