Choosing Our Behavioral Health Team

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Our licensed experts provide psychology and psychiatry services for families whose children and adolescents, ages 2 to 18, are experiencing behavioral, neurodevelopmental and emotional challenges such as depression and anxiety to attention deficit disorders (ADD/ADHD) and autism spectrum disorders.

Because we are part of the Cook Children's Health System, we are also uniquely positioned to care for those children coping with mental health as well as chronic physical conditions or diagnoses.

Depending on the severity of a child's condition, we provide inpatient and partial hospitalization programs on the main campus of Cook Children's Medical Center and outpatient services in eight clinic settings across Tarrant and Denton counties.

Our services include:

Diagnostic testing and evaluation
Outpatient therapy and counseling
Inpatient and partial hospitalization programs
Medication management
Family support groups

Our doctors:

Meredith Lavallais, MD

Behavioral Health

4,8 out of 5

47 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Kia Carter, MD

Behavioral Health

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Kristen Pyrc, MD

Behavioral Health

4,9 out of 5

65 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Steve Chennankara, DO

Behavioral Health

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Zachary Davis, DO

Behavioral Health

Accepting new patients

682-885-3917

Hari Kumaresan, MD

Behavioral Health

4,9 out of 5

59 Ratings

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Shanti Nagireddy, MD

Behavioral Health

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Akemi Watkins, MD

Behavioral Health

Accepting new patients

682-885-1050

Meet our psychiatry team

Our experienced psychiatrists, social workers and nurses understand the wide-reaching impact of a behavioral disorder, emotional problems or psychiatric disease, and we will give your child and family all of the tools you need to manage your unique situation.

Whitney Dragon SC Nurse Practitioner
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Monica Nelson Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Oludotun Peters SC Nurse Practitioner
APRN, PMHNP-BC
Annick Uwimana SC Nurse Practitioner
PMHNP
Shayle Andonov, LPC
Behavioral Health
Whitney Appleby, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Marissa Benners, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Lizzy Brown, LPC
Behavioral Health
Sheila Camp, LPC
Behavioral Health
Rebecca Clark, LPC
Behavioral Health
Lindsey Stevens, LPC
Behavioral Health
Denise Coover, LCSW
Behavioral Health
Joy Crabtree, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Carolyn Cruse, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Lisa Elliott, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Christopher Gilbert, LPC
Behavioral Health
Stephanie Golden, LPC
Behavioral Health
Lyndsay Hall, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Corey Heath, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Janette Hernandez, LPC
Behavioral Health
Erin Hyken, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Amanda Jordan, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Sam McCage, Ph.D., LPC
Behavioral Health
Whitney McGee, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Dana O'Brien, LPC
Behavioral Health
Kathleen Shea, LCSW
Behavioral Health
Amanda Smith, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Yolanda Valenzuela, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Joseph Waibel, LPC
Behavioral Health
Laura Wright, LPC
Behavioral Health
Christina York, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Lena Zettler, LPA
Behavioral Health

Meet our psychology team

Our experienced psychologists, social workers and nurses understand the wide-reaching impact of a behavioral disorder, or emotional problems and we will give your child and family all of the tools you need to manage your unique situation.

Shayle Andonov, LPC
Behavioral Health
Whitney Appleby, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Marissa Benners, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Lizzy Brown, LPC
Behavioral Health
Sheila Camp, LPC
Behavioral Health
Rebecca Clark, LPC
Behavioral Health
Lindsey Stevens, LPC
Behavioral Health
Denise Coover, LCSW
Behavioral Health
Joy Crabtree, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Carolyn Cruse, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Lisa Elliott, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Christopher Gilbert, LPC
Behavioral Health
Stephanie Golden, LPC
Behavioral Health
Lyndsay Hall, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Corey Heath, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Janette Hernandez, LPC
Behavioral Health
Erin Hyken, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Amanda Jordan, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Sam McCage, Ph.D., LPC
Behavioral Health
Whitney McGee, Psy.D.
Behavioral Health
Dana O'Brien, LPC
Behavioral Health
Kathleen Shea, LCSW
Behavioral Health
Amanda Smith, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Yolanda Valenzuela, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Joseph Waibel, LPC
Behavioral Health
Laura Wright, LPC
Behavioral Health
Christina York, Ph.D.
Behavioral Health
Lena Zettler, LPA
Behavioral Health

Testing and diagnosis

What is normal development and what isn't?

As children grow and develop, it can often be hard for a parent or caregiver to know what is part of a child's normal development or what could be considered something more serious. Actions such as anxiety, anger, and shyness can be a part of developmental growth or a temporary condition rather than an illness. However, when troubling behaviors occur over a period of time or in a way that disrupts daily life, they could be considered symptoms of a disorder.

How are mental health issues diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually begins with a medical doctor to try and rule out any physical reasons for the difficulties. Lab tests may also be done to test for side effects of medication, for allergies, or for other conditions that could produce symptoms.

If no medical reason is found for the behavior, the doctor often refers the child to a psychologist or psychiatrist who treats children and adolescents. A psychologist is trained to evaluate and diagnose mental illnesses but usually treats them through counseling or behavioral therapy. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental illnesses and write prescriptions for medication. Often, the two will work together to provide a combination of counseling and medication. Other therapies, such as music or art, may be added to conventional treatments.

In the state of Texas, only licensed psychologists are qualified to provide formal psychological assessments. Our Ph.D. psychologists are trained in pediatric assessments including:

Learning disabilities
Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Autism spectrum disorder
Mood and bipolar disorders
Psychotic disorders
Dual diagnoses

Our psychologists meet face-to-face with families and provide comprehensive written reports to review testing results and provide recommendations for home, school and other activities.

Some disorders begin in childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. Others go away or improve with age, and some begin later in life. Mental illnesses are usually caused by a combination of factors that fall into four broad categories: environmental, genetic, biological, and psychological. For instance, a child who has a genetic predisposition may develop a disorder when exposed to toxins or physical abuse.

Although many parents want to avoid medication or the stigma of a mental diagnosis, the prognosis is brighter with proper treatment. If a child does not receive necessary care, the illness may continue into adulthood, creating high risk for issues such as substance abuse, antisocial behavior, or suicide. When given a correct diagnosis and treatment, outlook for a healthy life as an adult is much more positive.

Psychology versus psychiatry

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Psychiatrists and psychologists are different types of doctors trained to help people deal with mental health issues. Both are there to talk you through problems. They aim to provide you with the means to manage the issues in your everyday life. Our psychiatrists and psychologists are specially trained in caring for children and adolescents.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medicine. Psychologists have degrees in the study of the mind and human behavior. Neuropsychology focuses on studying and treating problems related to brain function caused by brain disorders or injuries.

In many cases, psychologists and psychiatrists work together to determine the best course of treatment for a child.

Our psychiatrists, psychologists and neuropsychologists are supported by a team of therapists, nurses and other professionals committed to serving children, adolescents and their families.

Choosing Our Behavioral Health Team

Our services include:

Our doctors:

Meet our psychiatry team

Meet our psychology team

Testing and diagnosis

Psychology versus psychiatry

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