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Child and Adolescent Developmental, Mental, and Behavioral Health

Expert support for every step forward

Compassionate care for children’s developmental, mental, and behavioral health

Children and young people are special, with unique needs and concerns. At UTMB Health, we understand them, and we’re here to help when something is amiss. Our caring mental health specialists provide state-of-the-art treatment and therapies in a nurturing environment.

We’re ready to work with your family to overcome the challenges that may be keeping your child or teenager from thriving during these critical developmental years. Let’s begin the healing together. We offer a range of services, including evaluation and diagnosis, medication management, and therapy.

Types of Providers and Services

Mental and behavioral health services for children and adolescents are provided by different types and teams of professionals and in different settings, based on a child or adolescent's needs and circumstances. They include:

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 Referrals and Scheduling Information

Referrals are accepted from UTMB Health providers, community healthcare providers, and self-referrals. Referrals can be submitted through this online physician referral form or by calling the clinic. We're here to ensure patients receive the specialized care they need.

Psychiatry

Our team of psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors/therapists specializes in helping children and adolescents navigate mental and behavioral health challenges. We provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to the unique needs of young people.

  Conditions We Treat

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  Our Locations

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  Specialists

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Pediatrics

At UTMB, we understand that children and teens with developmental, emotional, or behavioral challenges need care tailored to their unique needs. Our two specialized teams—Pediatric Mental Health and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics—work with young people ages 2 to 20 to provide the support they deserve.

A young mother and her daughter relax together on the sofa and look at each other fondly.

Pediatric Mental Health

The Pediatric Mental Health team, including psychologists and counselors/therapists, provides diagnostic assessments and therapy. Our evidence-based treatments include cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and relationship-focused approaches. These services are designed to support children and teens with a wide range of needs.

Currently, services are not available for custody evaluations, adoption evaluations, child abuse evaluations, eating disorders, substance abuse, testing for learning disabilities, IQ testing, psychological testing, and forensic counseling.

  Conditions We Treat

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  Our Locations

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  Specialists

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Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

Our Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics team cares for children and teens ages 2 to 20, offering a well-rounded approach to treatment. Our experts include board-certified developmental-behavioral pediatricians, general pediatricians, and nurse practitioners. We provide support through medication, behavioral strategies, parenting guidance, and school recommendations. Our team diagnoses and treats a range of conditions, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, learning difficulties, irritability, and aggression.

  Conditions We Treat

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  Our Locations

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  Specialists

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Family Medicine

Our Family Medicine team includes counselors and therapists who support current patients. They provide caring help for mental health concerns and family challenges. By working with families, they improve communication, solve problems, and build stronger, healthier relationships.

Parents and patients at our Family Medicine clinics in Dickinson, Galveston Island East and Galveston Island West can speak to their primary care provider about seeing one of our family therapists or counselors for mental health services.

  Conditions We Treat

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  Our Locations

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  Specialists

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Required Legal or Guardianship Documentation for Scheduling

To comply with legal requirements and ensure we provide the best care for all patients—including children, adolescents, adults with special needs, and geriatric patients—families or guardians must submit the necessary documentation before scheduling an appointment. This includes legal documents such as divorce decrees, custody paperwork, medical power of attorney (MPO) forms, guardianship documentation, or other applicable paperwork.

 FAQs for Documentation

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Submitting Documentation & Scheduling for Patients with Legal or Guardianship Concerns

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  Additional Resources

 Frequently Asked Questions

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 List of provider types

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