What is Behavioral Health?
The term Behavioral Health encompasses many components that contribute to overall health and well-being. The process for diagnosing Behavioral Health concerns may begin with the child’s primary pediatrician and often requires additional care by specialists in the community. We welcome the opportunity to assist your family in evaluating common behavioral concerns such as challenging behavior in toddlers and children, academic concerns, attention and concentration concerns, and mood disorders such anxiety and depression.
Behavioral Health Evaluation
Please start the evaluation by scheduling an appointment with your child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) to discuss Behavioral Health concerns. We will do our best to ensure that you can meet with your child’s primary care provider for the initial appointment and any follow-up visits for consistency in their care. Identifying and treating these conditions will require several appointments, ongoing follow-up, and potentially a referral to a specialist.
Evaluating Your Child for Academic/Behavioral Health Concerns
Behavioral Health Medications
If your child is prescribed a medication for behavioral health, it will be especially important to follow up with the same provider for medication refills. Specific appointment monitoring requirements will vary depending on the type of medication and your child’s diagnosis. Allegro also requires that all patients on long-term medications are seen in person for a Well Child Check-up + Med Check once a year by their PCP.
Behavioral Health Prescription Refill Guidelines
New Patients
If you are new to our practice, please schedule a Well Care Check-up appointment to establish primary care with an Allegro provider. This check-up allows us to make sure there are no other medical problems which may influence the behavioral symptoms you are seeing. We do not accept patients for behavioral treatment who are receiving their primary care outside of Allegro Pediatrics.
Helpful Resources
We know that children and teens may experience anxiety, depression, attention, academic and sleep concerns. An appointment with your pediatrician is appropriate if you want to talk to your trusted provider about a new concern or a chronic issue. Research has shown that a mental health therapist can be the first line of treatment for many issues. It can take some time to find one, so it is often a good idea to start that process now.
In person:
- Go to Seattle Children's Emergency Room if experiencing a life threatening medical emergency
- Schedule a visit at Seattle Children's Psychiatric Urgent Care Clinic if suicidal without action
If you need a mental health professional to come to your home during a crisis:
- King County Children’s Crisis Outreach Response System: (206) 461-3222
- Snohomish County Crisis Line: (425) 388-7215
By phone & text:
We recommend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Evidence-based help and skill training for depression/anxiety for children and teens.
To narrow your search:
- Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service: (833) 303-5437, Mon to Fri, 8am-5pm
- Contact your Employee Assistance Program
- Contact your insurance company
- Search: www.psychologytoday.com and sort by your insurance + location + child/teen + CBT/IP
- Search: www.multiculturalcounselors.org and sort by the ethnicity a counselor identifies as + language + religion + location
Local Options:
- Childhaven: Renton, Skyway, Tukwila | (425) 271-5600 | Visit Website
- Compass Health: Snohomish County | (844) 822-7609 | Visit Website
- Crosspath: Sammamish Residents Only | (425) 369-1111 | Visit Website
- Eastside Psychological Associates: Woodinville, Snoqualmie, Issaquah | (425) 458-5048 | Visit Website
- Friends of Youth: Issaquah, Duvall, Snoqualmie | (425) 392-6367 | Visit Website
- Insight Mental Health Group: Snoqualmie Ridge | (425) 842-3910 | Visit Website
- Joon Care Therapy: Virtual only, 13+ statewide | (425) 522-3781 | Visit Website
- Northshore Youth & Family Services: Bothell | (425) 485-6541 | Visit Website
- River Valley Psychological Services: Issaquah: (425) 391-0887 | Renton: (425) 228-5336 | Visit Website
- Ryther: Bellevue, Seattle, Mukilteo | (206) 517-0218 | Visit Website
- Seattle Children’s: Bellevue, Seattle | (206) 987-2164 | Visit Website
- Snohomish Psychology Associates: Everett, Edmonds | (425) 789-1073 | Visit Website
- Sound Health: King County | (206) 302-2300 | Visit Website
- Youth Eastside Services: Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland | (425) 747-4937 | Visit Website
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Treatment Options & Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Eating Disorders Can Affect All Body Systems - Handout
- K12 School Support Options: 504 Plan vs. Individual Education Plan (IEP)
- Information on Grief and Loss
- LBGTQ+ Support Resources
- Mental Health Resources & Counseling Options
- Overview of Different Types of Therapy
- Overview of Different Types of Parent Support for Behavioral Change in Younger Children
- Parenting Resources for Behavioral Challenges in Younger Children
- Postpartum Resources
- Resources for Families Dealing With an Eating Disorder
- Substance Use Resources
- The Process of Evaluating Your Child for Academic and/or Behavioral Health Concerns
- AAP Family Media Plan
- Education Issues | Washington State Governor's Office of the Education Ombuds
- FAST Videos & Handouts | Free parenting support resources from Seattle Children's Hospital
- Family Resource Center | Child Mind Institute
- Finding Mental Health Care in Washington State - Seattle Children's
- Harborview Abuse and Trauma Center
- Harborview Suicide Prevention Resource Guide
- Hotlines for Youth
- Parent and Family Guide: Supporting Your College Student Through Mental Health Challenges
- ParentHelp123
- Patient and Family Resources from Seattle Children's
- Positive Parenting - Seattle Children's
- Take N.O.T.E. | Understood - For learning and thinking differences
- United Way 211 | Free, confidential community resources and services
- UW Center for Child & Family Well-Being
- Washington’s Mental Health Referral Service
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Other Helpful Resources
Behavioral Health Forms
Find forms that may be required as part of a behavioral health evaluation or monitoring when a patient is on a behavioral health medication.
Patient Education & Resources
Resources to help you navigate your child's health, wellness, and development.