RPA has a dedicated behavioral health team available to support your family.
To request an appointment with a behavioral health specialist, let your child’s primary care provider know that you have concerns about their behavior or call the nurses’ line.
Each behavioral health consultation begins with an evaluation so we can better understand your child’s developmental history, family context, and current concerns. Depending on the problem, we may offer evidence-based self-help guides; parent consultation and coaching; short term (6-10 sessions) psychotherapy; or referral to a behavioral health or psychiatric provider that can provide more intensive or longer-term support. Therapy focuses on goals such as strengthening problem-solving skills, recognizing and managing overwhelming emotions, practicing social skills, reducing conflicts with friends and family members, and improving self-esteem and self-expression.
Common reasons that families request a behavioral health consultation include concerns about school participation, impulsivity, tantrums, sadness, friendship problems, and family changes like illness and divorce. Your child might receive a diagnosis like ADHD, mood disorder, anxiety, or adjustment disorder. We may recommend a more specialized assessment for autism spectrum disorder or learning disability. Our mission is always to help your child succeed at home and in school, make the most of their strengths, and accept and celebrate what makes them unique.
If you or your child is experiencing a psychiatric or behavioral emergency (you feel that you and/or your child are not safe at home or at school) and you are anywhere in Massachusetts, you can receive a FREE same-day crisis evaluation from an emergency services provider in a location of your choice by calling 877-382-1609. This service is staffed 24 hours hours a day, 365 days a year.
Outside of Massachusetts - call 988 for urgent mental health assistance.
While you are waiting for your child to be seen by our in-house behavioral health specialist, check out these great self-help resources:
FAMILY CONFLICT & COMMUNICATION:
RPA’s own Dr. Kline created a free online course and wrote a book about improving communication, reducing family conflict, and getting kids to accept parents’ advice on everything from homework to avoiding drugs and alcohol. The communication approach is based on decades of research and has been found to lead to more open communication and greater behavior change. Many parents have found these resources helpful!
EMOTION REGULATION:
The app MIGHTIER is a very cool tool for little gamers to use their screen time learning self-regulation techniques. Through video game play, kids learn how to bring down their heart rate and calm their bodies and minds. MIGHTIER was created at Boston Children’s Hospital and has been found effective in clinical trials.
SUPPORT FOR PARENTS:
Raising children can be stressful and let’s face it some kids are more work than others. Connect with other parents facing similar challenges of tantrums, anxiety, refusing to try new things, or getting in trouble at school and camp by attending a parent support group. Sometimes you can get great tips on helpful strategies and services; sometimes it just helps to know you are definitely not alone in this struggle.
