What Can CPC Offer My Child?

We offer a number of evaluation and treatment options.

Doctors Robert A. Lowenstein, M.D. and John E. Carosso, Psy.D. are prepared to conduct BHRS and other evaluations for children and adolescents who may have virtually any mental symptom, including those exhibiting signs of autism, oppositionalism, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit and over activity, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, signs of posttraumatic disorder, reactive attachment disorder, developmental delays, psychosis, and mental retardation.

Assessments and evaluations of children and adolescents experiencing the stress of facing parental separation and divorce, and for the purpose of Court ordered child custody issues are also conducted. Comprehensive reports are provided.

More information is available in our brochure. Our recent television advertisements offer additional information, as well:

• "Community Psychiatric Centers" (63 sec / 3.44 MB)
• "Autism" (31 sec / 1.74 MB)
• "Change Your World" (34 sec / 1.81 MB)
• "Mood Disorders" (32 sec / 1.86 MB)
• "General Information" (32 sec / 1.94 MB)

BHRS or "wraparound" services are provided to children and their families in the home, school, and community settings.

The process begins with a confidential, comprehensive psychiatric or psychological evaluation, to assess a child's need for this service, and includes a prescription for these services. Following the assessment, an Interagency Team Meeting is held, with the parent(s), guardians, and managed-care insurance company representative in attendance, to determine if services are medically necessary. If BHRS treatment is authorized, an individualized and behaviorally-oriented Treatment Plan is developed with parental input to focus on the needs of the child and their family.

The primary goal of wraparound treatment is to treat the child in their natural environment. Reassessments of the child's progress are performed every 4 months to evaluate the continued need for this service, and quarterly Interagency meetings are held to modify ongoing plans of care.

Depending on the level of disability or need, wraparound services can be provided to those with one or more of the following conditions:

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (includes Asperger's Syndrome, Autism, High Functioning Autism, Multi-Symptom Development Disorder,Pervasive Development Disorder, Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, and Rett's Syndrome)

Attention Deficit Disorder

Developmental Delay

Hyperactivity

Mental Retardation

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Sensory Integration Disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Anxiety Problems

Depression

Mood Disorders

School-Related Problems

Psychosis

Services are not limited to children or adolescents with these diagnoses. If your child or adolescent has been previously diagnosed with another type of disorder that you feel qualifies for wraparound services, or if you would like to contact us to conduct an initial evaluation for services, please contact us.

Children or adolescents that receive wraparound services are assigned a team of specialists to address their ongoing needs. They include one or more of the following:

Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS) provide behavioral intervention to stabilize the child in his or her environment, and provides support to the family. They promote age-appropriate behaviors and skills.

Behavioral Specialist Consultants (BSC's) direct the treatment team. They will observe the child in their home, community, or school settings. The BSC conducts the Interagency team meeting and develops a treatment plan, along with the parent or guardian, which includes the use of various behavioral modification interventions. The BSC may consult with community, school, case management, and other agency staff as needed.

Mobile Therapists (MT's) offer intensive psychotherapeutic counseling services to children and adolescents in their home and community settings. Family therapy is also offered as needed. The amount an ddegree of counseling services can vary depending upon the child's and family's needs.

We are pleased to offer psycho-educational services to children and teens with learning difficulties. Dr. Carosso, a licensed school psychologist is familiar with the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Multi Disciplinary Evaluations (MDEs). Per the family's request, we will conduct an educational assessment that will address academic and cognitive delays, attention deficits, distractibility, and school-based behavioral concerns.

Community Psychiatric Centers is a state-licensed Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic staffed by a Board certified Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist Medical Director, a Doctoral level Psychologist Clinical Director, a Master's degreed Clinical Supervisor, and licensed and non-licensed Master's level psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors. CPC offers counseling and psychotherapy for children and teenagers in comfortable and confidential office settings. Staff is highly competent, well trained, and supervised. Staff is compassionate and skilled in addressing children's and families' needs.

Medication Management is provided by Robert A. Lowenstein, M.D. Prior to the prescription of medications, children and adolescents receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and diagnosis of ther mental health condition. Ongoing assessments of the child's progress, side effects, and need for modification of medication regimens occur on a regular basis.

CPC accepts virtually all insurance plans, including Value Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, CCBHO, Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Magellan, UPMC Health Plan, Aetna, Cigna, UBH, Medical Assistance, and Tri-Care.

The BHRS Process

1. A child or adolescent is identified as being in need of behavioral health services.
2. A child or adolescent is evaluated by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist. Once a diagnosis is determined, parents need to apply for an ACCESS card.
3. Once your child or adolescent has an MA (Medical Assistance) number, wraparound services can begin. Therapy hours are prescribed by the psychologist, based on the level of need.
4. A team of TSS's (more than one can be assigned), a BSC, and/or an MT is then assigned to develop a behavioral treatment plan. The plan is developed at an ITM, which consists of the assigned therapists, family members, and all other agencies involved in the child or adolescent's care. This may or may not include other case managers from mental health or mental retardation agencies, school district officials, early intervention personnel, and sometimes managed care representatives.
5. The team then carries out the plan during the "treatment period".

Getting started with wraparound services can be an overwhelming experience. There are, however, many parents, especially in the autism community, who can support you through what can be a difficult time. Call CPC for an appointment, at our toll free number: (877) 899-6500.

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