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Behavioral and mental health

Pediatric specialists with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital provide behavioral and mental health care for children and teens.

Teen talking with a pediatric behavioral health specialist at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.

Pediatric behavioral and mental health at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital

Experienced pediatric behavioral and mental health specialists with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis and Evansville provide compassionate care for children and teens. We have the expertise to diagnose and treat mental health and emotional health conditions such as anxiety, depression, disruptive behavior, autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and more. We also provide behavioral and mental health care and support for children in the hospital with serious illnesses and chronic conditions.

Conditions we diagnose and treat

Your child’s specialist starts by listening to you and your child. Tell us about your child’s behavior and your concerns. By better understanding your child, we deliver compassionate, personalized care.

  • Conditions diagnosed and treated in Indianapolis:
    • Anxiety
    • Attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
    • Bipolar disorder
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia
    • Mood disorders
    • Autism spectrum disorders
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tics
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Substance use disorder
  • Conditions diagnosed and treated in Evansville:
    • Anxiety
    • Attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Body-focused repetitive behaviors, such as skin-picking (trichotillomania)
    • Disruptive behavior
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia
    • Learning disorders
    • Mood disorders
    • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and tics
    • Oppositional defiant disorder
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Tourette syndrome and tics

Services we provide

At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, we offer a range of pediatric behavioral and mental health care services, including diagnostic testing and treatments. At your child’s first appointment, we provide a thorough assessment. We take the time to explain your child’s diagnosis and work with you and your child to create a personalized care plan.

  • Services provided in Indianapolis:

    Multiple levels of care: We provide a full range of mental health care – from crisis evaluations to inpatient and intensive outpatient programs. We provide comprehensive care to meet your child and family’s specific needs.


    Individual and family therapy: Your child may meet one-on-one with a pediatric mental health specialist, or you may meet as a family to better understand your child’s behavior and needs. Therapy can start and end at any time, depending on your child’s needs. In some settings, we can provide school-based individual therapy.


    Group therapy: In group therapy, your child will attend therapy sessions with children who share the same mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression and substance abuse.


    Medication management: For some mental health conditions, your child’s doctor may recommend medication as part of their care plan. Medications may help reduce symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression or OCD.

  • Services provided in Evansville:

    Our team of highly skilled pediatric behavioral health providers, which includes psychologists and a licensed clinical social worker, helps children and families by offering compassionate behavioral health care.


    Individual and family therapy: Your child may meet one-on-one with a pediatric mental health specialist, or you may meet as a family to better understand your child’s behavior and needs. Therapy can start and end at any time, depending on your child’s needs. Our care team specializes in diagnosing and treating emotional and behavioral conditions including anxiety, eating disorders, depression, disruptive behaviors, and anger management concerns.


    Developmental and psychological testing: Our care team provides developmental and psychological testing for children ages 2 through 17. We specialize in assessments for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), developmental delays, attention deficits, learning disorders, and other processing concerns. Your child’s psychologist starts by listening to understand your child and your concerns. Testing may include evaluating your child’s development, cognitive skills, social skills, attention, memory, and more. Then, we work with you to create a care plan that’s right for your child and family.


    Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): PCIT is therapy for families with young children who have significant disruptive behavior, and children and adolescents with anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, eating disorders, chronic medical conditions and difficulty adjusting to life changes. Our goal is to provide supportive care for your child and family.


    Bridge program for emergency follow-up care: Our care doesn’t end when your child leaves the emergency room. For patients who are at risk for self-harm, we connect you with a pediatric behavioral health specialist so your child continues to get care and support right away when they return home.


    Integrated psychology clinic: A chronic condition affects your child’s physical and emotional health. To provide support for your child’s mental and emotional health, pediatric psychologists are part of our care teams at Peyton Manning Children's - Evansville Center for Children Specialty Care. Our pediatric psychologists work closely with your child’s doctor to provide support and help your child cope with their health condition. We specialize in helping children cope with a new diagnosis, burnout from a chronic condition, pain, and other concerns related to a chronic health condition.


    Tourette’s and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) clinic: At Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, we provide personalized care for children and teens with OCD and tic disorders, including Tourette’s. Your child’s care team starts by listening to understand your child and their needs. Then, we work with you to create a personalized care plan.


    Care plans for children with OCD may include exposure and response prevention (EXRP) therapy, which focuses on learning to manage stimuli that often lead to intrusive thoughts and compulsive patterns.


    Care plans for children with tic disorders may include comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT). This is a type of therapy that helps children manage their tic disorder. CBIT helps children have a better understanding of when their tics occur and implement alternative behaviors when tic urges arise. We also provide training for caregivers to help support your child’s treatment.

Behavioral and mental health support and recovery

We are committed to providing ongoing support services for your child and family. Our care team provides support and helps your family set long-term goals. And we connect you to additional resources at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital and in the community.

Emergency care for mental health crises

Quickly recognizing the signs that your child is experiencing moderate to severe mental or emotional distress is the first step in getting the necessary care. For emergencies, including severe mental health distress and suspected substance overdose, call 911. ERs at our hospitals, including Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and Ascension St. Vincent, are open 24/7.

If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

To call the national suicide hotline, dial 988.

Behavioral and mental health