Pediatric Psychiatry & Psychology
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Mental and behavioral health services for children
Children often experience mood and behavior changes. But if you notice that your child is having difficulty learning, communicating, regulating their emotions or interacting with others, we can help.
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we provide:
Comprehensive evaluations. Our team works to get to the root of your child's mental, behavioral or cognitive challenges.
Therapy. We offer short- and long-term therapy for individuals, groups and families. With our family-focused approach, you learn how to support your child and improve overall family functioning.
Medication assessments. Together, we'll discuss whether your child may benefit from medication. If you decide it's the right choice, we provide attentive monitoring to make sure treatment is safe and effective.
Specialized programs. We offer dedicated programs for specific conditions, such as eating disorders and autism spectrum disorder.
Inpatient care. Our experts care for children who are hospitalized or brought to the ER for urgent mental health issues.
Our nationally recognized program provides the latest treatments and participates in research to advance children's mental health care. Your child receives care from an experienced team that includes child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and social workers.
Conditions we treat
We offer expert treatment for:
Anxiety disorders
Disruptive behavior disorders
Mental and behavioral health services for children
Children often experience mood and behavior changes. But if you notice that your child is having difficulty learning, communicating, regulating their emotions or interacting with others, we can help.
At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, we provide:
Comprehensive evaluations. Our team works to get to the root of your child's mental, behavioral or cognitive challenges.
Therapy. We offer short- and long-term therapy for individuals, groups and families. With our family-focused approach, you learn how to support your child and improve overall family functioning.
Medication assessments. Together, we'll discuss whether your child may benefit from medication. If you decide it's the right choice, we provide attentive monitoring to make sure treatment is safe and effective.
Specialized programs. We offer dedicated programs for specific conditions, such as eating disorders and autism spectrum disorder.
Inpatient care. Our experts care for children who are hospitalized or brought to the ER for urgent mental health issues.
Our nationally recognized program provides the latest treatments and participates in research to advance children's mental health care. Your child receives care from an experienced team that includes child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and social workers.
Conditions we treat
We offer expert treatment for:
Anxiety disorders
Disruptive behavior disorders
Related services
Locations (dynamic)
Providers (dynamic)
Tamar Meidav, MD
Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)Rebecca (Becky) Wells, MD
Psychiatry • Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)Zara Szeftel, MD
Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) • PsychiatryDevanand Manoli, MD, PhD
Psychiatry (Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Awards & achievements
One of the nation's best for behavioral health
Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Anxiety
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism
- Behavioral Disorders
- Bipolar Disorder
- Depression
- Developmental Delay
- Disruptive Behavior
- Eating Disorders
Treatments
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Psychological Testing and Evaluation
- Psychotherapy
Trials & research
Clinical trials
External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Children With ASD + ADHD to Reduce Elevated SymptomsOpens in a new window
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if external trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) works to treat ADHD symptoms in children on the autism spectrum (ASD). It will also learn about the efficacy and tolerability of the eTNS device. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Does eTNS reduce ADHD symptoms? - Does eTNS improve core and associated features of ASD?...Probiotic Administration for Adolescent DepressionOpens in a new window
This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will examine the effect of probiotic Visbiome on the brain and gut microbiome of individuals 15 to 24 years of age.
Research initiatives
UCSF Department of Psychiatry ResearchOpens in a new window
The department conducts basic, clinical and translational research across many sites, studying the biological, psychological and social factors behind mental illness to develop better treatments.
Support services
Child Life
Certified child life specialists ease the stress and anxiety of childhood illness through therapeutic play, schooling and family-focused support.
Family Amenities
Family-friendly amenities help you relax and take care of yourself while staying close to your child. We offer lounges, kitchens, showers, breastfeeding rooms and more.
Social Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Social workers ease the effect of illness, injury and hospitalization on your family with counseling and assistance to help you navigate the challenges.
Activity Rooms
Activity rooms offer a relaxed environment for children of all ages. Features include a playroom, digital arts studio and teen lounge. Find out more.
Pediatric Art Therapy Program
Art therapy helps kids and families express themselves, making it easier to cope with pediatric health issues. Group and bedside services are available.
Pediatric Music Therapy Program
Board-certified music therapists help kids cope with illness and the feelings that come with it. Find out about group activities and bedside therapy.
School Program for Hospitalized Children
Our schoolroom services and individual learning programs help children hospitalized at UCSF continue their education and get ready to return to school.
School Re-Entry Program
We help kids return to school after hospitalization by educating staff and students about their needs and recommending needed accommodations. Read more.
Individual Playtime & Instruction
If your child can't be around other kids for medical reasons, you can sign up for private sessions in our activity and school rooms. Find out how.
Interpreter Services & Communication Assistance at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Interpreter services in many languages and TDDs are available for families that need help communicating with care teams. Here's how to access them.
Parent Support Program
Weekly activities, including knitting, scrapbooking, chair massage and more, help family caregivers get a much-needed break. Find out more.
Patient Relations at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Patient relations reps and nursing supervisors are here to answer questions and address concerns. Learn about your rights, how to reach us and more.
Spiritual Care at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
Chaplains help UCSF patients, families and staff cope with the spiritual and emotional challenges of childhood illness. Learn more.
International Services at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
If you're coming to UCSF from outside the U.S., we coordinate your child's appointments and provide other helpful services. Here's how to get started.