Med / Psych Program
The Med/Psych Program was developed to help children with chronic medical problems who also have psychiatric conditions. For example, a child might suffer from depression or another mental health issue and also have chronic medical conditions such as cancer, diabetes or congestive heart failure. The purpose of this program is to provide integrated medical and behavioral services.
Problems We Diagnose and Treat
The Med/Psych Program was created primarily to treat children with comorbid (concurrent) medical and psychiatric diagnoses. Kids referred to us may have psychological conditions that began prior to the medical diagnosis, at the same time as the medical diagnosis, or after their medical diagnosis. We also treat children who have psychological issues accompanied by physical symptoms, such as conversion or somatoform disorders.
Specific programs at Children's geared toward children with comorbid disorders include a specialty group for medically ill children, medication consultation, individual therapy and family therapy. As part of the Med/Psych Program, we collaborate with medical teams, community providers and school personnel. We also make referrals to internal programs at Children's, such as specialty clinics, intensive psychiatric services and day treatment programs.
Our Treatment Philosophy
We believe in a family-centered, strength-based, comprehensive approach for treating children, teens and families. We focus on the medical, psychological, behavioral and emotional needs of children and teens. We believe in multi-disciplinary collaboration that includes psychiatry, psychology, social work, creative arts therapy and active communication with medical teams, community providers and school personnel. We believe it is important to coordinate care with free and open dialogue.
Intensive Outpatient Psychiatry Programs: Anxiety Disorders and General
Our Intensive Outpatient Programs include individual, family and group psychotherapy as well as medication management. Kids with anxiety disorders and general psychiatric disorders can benefit from this program. We also do diagnostic interviews for referrals for interventions and treatment.
Referral Information
Referrals for outpatient mental health services are made through our intake team. Our team will make every effort to work with insurance companies, although not all insurances will authorize treatment at Children's Hospital Colorado. For more information, or if you are a physician seeking to make a referral, please call (720) 777-6200.
Consultation / Liaison Services
The Med/Psych program provides consultation services to all of the medical units in the main hospital. This includes planning, evaluation and treatment, and we address psychiatric concerns that may occur along with medical illness. As part of the consultation, we assess and treat things like mental status changes, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, family adjustment, coping and more. If necessary, we might recommend medication, therapy and/or collaboration with medical teams, schools and outside providers.
As part of these services, the Med/Psych team also serves as a liaison to medical staff by providing support and education about your child's mental health care and medication (if relevant). We provide strategies for working with complicated, high-risk families and patients. At the end of the day, we ensure that your child's entire care team is always aware of the big picture -- including mental and physical health.
