Integrated Behavioral Health Program at Amherst Pediatrics
Did you know you have access to high quality behavioral health services right here at Amherst Pediatrics?
We are excited to have an integrated behavioral health consultant on our team at Amherst Pediatrics. Integrated care can promote healthy emotional development, prevent small problems from growing into larger ones, and help manage your child’s existing emotional and behavioral problems. At Amherst Pediatrics, we believe that emotional health is part of your child’s overall health. Your primary care provider and integrated behavioral health consultant will work together to best meet your child’s needs.
Your child’s PCP may introduce you to our behavioral health consultant during a visit or may recommend that you schedule a consultation for a future date. The behavioral health consultant will conduct an evaluation and then determine the next steps, depending on the situation and need.
Our behavioral health consultant provides short-term, solution-focused treatment for children, adolescents, and families. If it is determined that more sessions are needed than the limited number that our integrated behavioral health consultant can provide, then a referral to a longer-term community provider will be recommended.
The demand to meet with the integrated behavioral health consultant can be very high at times. We ask that if you are unable to make it to your scheduled visit, you let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the time to another patient. Please note that missing multiple appointments without providing proper notice may result in discharge from the integrated behavioral health program.
If you have concerns for your child’s safety or feel that they cannot wait for an evaluation with our integrated behavioral health consultant, then you will need to utilize crisis services.
The Crisis Services numbers are:
- Hampden County: BHN Crisis (413) 773-6661
- Franklin County: CSO Crisis (413) 774-5411
- Hampshire County: CSO Crisis (413) 586-5555
Our Integrated Behavioral Health Team includes:
- Alexandra Shumway, LICSW - Integrated Behavioral Health Consultant
- Katie Macomber - Medical Home Care Coordinator
Speak to your provider today if you feel that your child might benefit from our behavioral health services!