Services

Parents are typically referred to or seek services at Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health when there are concerns relating to behavior, social and emotional well-being, and/or academic functioning. Based on need, we provide behavioral and psychological services for children and adolescents ages 2 to 18 years. Specific services offered at Keystone Center include comprehensive evaluations, treatment, and consultation with school personnel and/or other community providers and agencies.

At Keystone Center, we strongly believe in the importance of delivering individualized plans of care that are designed to treat the entire child and improve overall family functioning. The ability to obtain testing, intervention, education, and support in one center helps parents and caregivers work toward healthy development in all areas of their child’s life.

Evaluations.

Keystone Center provides evaluations and diagnostic services that assess how a child or adolescent functions socially, emotionally, psychologically, and/or academically. A comprehensive psychological assessment offers valuable insight into an individual’s strengths and weaknesses across several areas, with the primary aim of informing recommendations that best address the child or adolescent’s needs.

What does a psychological evaluation address?

Keystone Center offers assessment services for various concerns, including behavioral, social, emotional, and/or learning difficulties. More specifically, the Keystone Center uses assessment measures to assist in identifying symptoms associated with behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, learning disabilities, and giftedness.

What are the components of a psychological evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is a structured series of interviews, questionnaires, and standardized tests. The assessment plan is developed based on the presenting concerns, individual needs, and age of the child or adolescent. An evaluation may include assessing some or all of the following: intelligence, academic achievement, memory and attention, and behavioral, emotional, and social development.

What should parents expect when completing a psychological evaluation for their child or adolescent?

An initial meeting with the parent(s) is conducted first to gather a thorough background history and detailed information regarding the child’s strengths, weaknesses, and primary areas of concern. Depending on individual need, some or all of the following will be completed: review of previous records, interview with and observation of the child or adolescent, parent/caregiver/teacher questionnaires regarding the child’s history and current functioning, and standardized tests to examine cognitive, educational, and social-emotional functioning. The results will be summarized into a detailed written report, and a follow-up appointment will be completed to review the results and discuss proposed recommendations.

Treatment.

Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health provides treatment for various presenting concerns and emphasizes behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and/or mindfulness-based approaches in therapy. Treatment plans are developed based on the individual needs of the child and family and can be delivered in a variety of formats. Keystone Center strongly values a family-centered, team-based approach in treatment; thus, therapy often includes extensive parent/caregiver support and collaboration with other care providers.

What types of concerns can be addressed in treatment?

Common concerns addressed in treatment include disruptive behaviors (including aggression, tantrums, noncompliance, and other defiant behaviors), inattention and/or hyperactivity, emotion regulation difficulties, sleeping problems, toileting problems, mood concerns (including anxiety and depression), social skills deficits, and poor academic skills.

We do not treat but will provide community resources and referrals for the following primary concerns: medication management, suicidal or homicidal ideation/attempts, severe anxiety or depression, grief, severe inappropriate sexual behaviors, eating disorders, medically complex feeding difficulties, and court-ordered/related cases.

What specific types of treatments are offered?

Keystone Center offers the following treatments: individual behavioral and/or cognitive behavioral therapy, parent/caregiver training and education, and counseling.

What should parents expect when starting treatment for their child or adolescent?

Comprehensive treatment plans are developed based on the individual needs of the child and family, and the type(s) of therapy and length of time in treatment vary depending on need. Keystone Center strives to set collaborative and meaningful treatment goals for all patients. Frequent data collection and feedback are utilized to assess and ensure progress toward established goals. Throughout all of the therapies delivered at Keystone Center, a strong emphasis is placed on providing the support needed for consistent implementation of recommendations so that children and families can maintain optimal growth and well-being over time. Often, this support includes parental attendance to therapy sessions, parent training in necessary skills and strategies, and completing practice assignments outside of sessions to practice skills.

Consultation.

Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health believes that a team-based approach that emphasizes alignment of goals and consistency of care is essential to best serve children, adolescents, and families. To this end, we provide consultation with school personnel and other community providers and agencies that is grounded in collaboration. Consultative services may include the following: conferencing with other professionals, providing parent education in special education processes, designing effective academic and/or behavioral interventions for the classroom setting, attending meetings with parents and school personnel, and continued advocacy and support throughout a child or adolescent’s academic career.