What is Mental Health?
Mental health is how people think, feel, and act as they face life’s situations. It affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life.
Like adults, children and adolescents can have mental health disorders that interfere with the way they think, feel, and act. Studies show that at least one in five children and adolescents have a mental health disorder. When untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflicts, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide.
It is easy for parents to recognize when a child has a high fever. A child’s mental health problems may be more difficult to identify. Mental health problems can’t always be seen, but the symptoms can be recognized.
Signs of Mental Health Problems
Children or adolescents may need to get help as soon as possible if they have any of these warning signs:
A child or adolescent is troubled by feeling:
- Sad and hopeless for no reason, and these feelings do not go away
- Very angry most of the time
- Feeling worthless or guilty often, crying often
- Anxious or worried often
- Extremely fearful or having unexplained fears.
- Constantly and overly concerned about physical problems or appearance
- Frightened that his/her mind either is controlled or is out of control
A child/adolescent experiences big changes, such as:
- Experiencing physical or sexual abuse
- Showing declining performance in school
- Losing interest in things once enjoyed
- Experiencing unexplained changes in sleeping and/or eating patterns
- Avoiding friends or family, always wanting to be alone
- Daydreaming too much, not completing tasks
- Feeling life is too hard to handle
- Hearing voices that cannot be explained
- Experiencing suicidal thoughts
A child or adolescent experiences:
- Thoughts or behaviors of wanting to hurt themselves or wanting to die
- Poor concentration, unable to think straight or make up his mind
- An inability to sit still or focus attention
- Worry about being harmed, hurting others, or doing something “bad”
- Need to wash or perform certain routines hundreds of times a day, to avoid an unsubstantiated danger.
- Racing thoughts that are too fast to follow
- Persistent nightmares
Questions and Answers
When do I know if I need help for myself or for my child?TEST
At some time in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and need help dealing with our problems. At least one out of every five people will need help dealing with problems that seem beyond their control; problems with a marriage or relationship, a family situation, dealing with losing a job, the death of a loved one, sexual or physical abuse, depression, stress or anxiety. This is when we need outside help from a trained, licensed professional to help work through these problems. Therapy helps people of all ages live healthier, more productive lives.
A child's emotional distress often causes disruption to both the parent's and the child's world. If you are worried about you or your child's emotions or behavior seeing a therapist is the right thing to do.
More Information
At some time in our lives, each of us may feel overwhelmed and need help dealing with our problems. At least one out of every five people will need help dealing with problems that seem beyond their control; problems with a marriage or relationship, a family situation, dealing with losing a job, the death of a loved one, sexual or physical abuse, depression, stress or anxiety. This is when we need outside help from a trained, licensed professional to help work through these problems. Therapy helps people of all ages live healthier, more productive lives.
A child's emotional distress often causes disruption to both the parent's and the child's world. If you are worried about you or your child's emotions or behavior seeing a therapist is the right thing to do.
More Information What happens when I call the El Paso Child Guidance Center for the first time?We understand that calling the Center and explaining your situation may be scary. Keep in mind that helping you is our number one priority. You will be welcomed by one of our supportive staff and asked a few questions to determine how we can best help you.
We will ask you:
How you heard about the El Paso Child Guidance Center
Name, Address, Phone Number
Name of the person needing help
The problem that person is experiencing
If you have Insurance, Medicaid or CHIP’s
Then you will be scheduled for an appointment to register for services
You will be asked to bring some documents to the registration appointment.
We will ask you:
How you heard about the El Paso Child Guidance Center
Name, Address, Phone Number
Name of the person needing help
The problem that person is experiencing
If you have Insurance, Medicaid or CHIP’s
Then you will be scheduled for an appointment to register for services
You will be asked to bring some documents to the registration appointment.
Do I need to bring anything to the registration appointment?Please bring:
• Your Medicaid or Insurance card
• The child’s birth certificate and the parent’s ID card
• Social Security Card (if you have one)
• If you are divorced we will need to make a copy of legal custody papers (to make sure we have the correct authorization to provide services for your child)
• A utility bill (electric, water, etc) for proof of address
• Proof of income (check stub, income tax forms, unemployment benefits, etc)
If you are getting help for your child who is over 8 years old they must come with you to registration. If your child is under age 8 they are not required to come with you.
• Your Medicaid or Insurance card
• The child’s birth certificate and the parent’s ID card
• Social Security Card (if you have one)
• If you are divorced we will need to make a copy of legal custody papers (to make sure we have the correct authorization to provide services for your child)
• A utility bill (electric, water, etc) for proof of address
• Proof of income (check stub, income tax forms, unemployment benefits, etc)
If you are getting help for your child who is over 8 years old they must come with you to registration. If your child is under age 8 they are not required to come with you.
What happens during registration?Registration will take about 30 minutes.
We will make copies of the documents you brought, and ask you to complete some paperwork.
We will provide an Excuse for Work/School form for each of your appointments if you ask us
You will be scheduled with one of our therapists who are well trained to help with you or your child’s mental health needs.
If an appointment is not immediately available, you will then be placed on a waiting list.
We will make copies of the documents you brought, and ask you to complete some paperwork.
We will provide an Excuse for Work/School form for each of your appointments if you ask us
You will be scheduled with one of our therapists who are well trained to help with you or your child’s mental health needs.
If an appointment is not immediately available, you will then be placed on a waiting list.
What happens after registration?You will be scheduled with one of our therapists who are well trained to help with you or your child’s mental health needs. If an appointment is not immediately available, you will then be placed on a waiting list.
What happens after I am scheduled with a therapist?During the first session your therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation that helps them understand the problem that brought you to the Center. With this information the therapist can make sure our services are designed around the uniqueness of you or your child and family.
After the evaluation you, the therapist and your child will discuss goals for therapy. Together you decide things you would like to work on changing, ways to achieve these changes, and a suggested time frame to reach your goals.
The conversations in therapy are kept private. Confidentiality is extremely important and your therapist will discuss this issue with you during your first session.
After the evaluation you, the therapist and your child will discuss goals for therapy. Together you decide things you would like to work on changing, ways to achieve these changes, and a suggested time frame to reach your goals.
The conversations in therapy are kept private. Confidentiality is extremely important and your therapist will discuss this issue with you during your first session.
Will you accept my insurance?Yes, here are some of the plans we accept:
Medicaid
CHIP’s
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
TriCare/TriWest
United Behavioral
AETNA
ACCESS
CIGNA
Medicaid
CHIP’s
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
TriCare/TriWest
United Behavioral
AETNA
ACCESS
CIGNA
When my insurance benefits end, will my child's treatment stop?No, you will be given the opportunity to continue in treatment using our sliding fee scale or under one of our grants. The actual amount you would pay is based on your annual income and family size.
What can I expect to pay?When you first come to the El Paso Child Guidance Center the specific amount that you will be expected to pay at each visit will be determined based on your family size and income. For ongoing individual or family therapy you may qualify for free services under one of our grants, or the cost may range from $20 to $80 a session.
What type of professional will my child see?Our clinical staff are professionals with advanced degrees who are licensed in various fields including psychiatry, social work, and counseling. Sometimes members of the clinical staff include a graduate level student who is completing an internship as part of their degree requirements. All interns are under supervision.
Most of our therapists speak English and Spanish.
Most of our therapists speak English and Spanish.
Will I be involved in the therapy sessions with my child?Parents are a vital part of treatment planning and the treatment process. The participation level for parents will depend on the problem, the specific goals of therapy and the type of therapy provided. For example, in family therapy, the parent(s) are present throughout the session. In individual therapy, the child meets alone with the therapist, but the therapist and parents will consult on a regular basis.
How long will my child be in therapy?The length of treatment varies depending on the problem or problems, the difficulty of the issue, the family situation, and other factors. Some clients have felt their needs have been met with 5 or 6 sessions. On other occasions, clients have been in treatment for a year or more.
What do you do with my child while he/she is in a therapy session?During the first two sessions the therapist performs a comprehensive evaluation. After the evaluation the therapist and family develop a treatment plan that outlines treatment goals.
The type of therapy provided depends on the age of your child and the problem. Therapy is guided by goals that are set with the child and parents. To meet these goals, younger children may participate in individual therapy using play.
Therapy using play and art is important in treating children. Playing is a very natural way for children to deal with problems. It is a powerful tool to express conflicts and painful experiences. Play is the child's natural way of communicating; just as talking is the adult's natural way of communicating. In the playroom, toys are used like words, and play is the child's language. Therapy using art is a serious form of fun, it’s play, but..it’s play with a purpose.
The type of therapy provided depends on the age of your child and the problem. Therapy is guided by goals that are set with the child and parents. To meet these goals, younger children may participate in individual therapy using play.
Therapy using play and art is important in treating children. Playing is a very natural way for children to deal with problems. It is a powerful tool to express conflicts and painful experiences. Play is the child's natural way of communicating; just as talking is the adult's natural way of communicating. In the playroom, toys are used like words, and play is the child's language. Therapy using art is a serious form of fun, it’s play, but..it’s play with a purpose.
If my child sees a psychiatrist who recommends medication, do I have the right to refuse medication?Yes, the parent always has the right to refuse or accept medication as a treatment option for their child.
Can I take my child to the Center only for medication and not therapy?No. We require that anyone seeing the psychiatrist must also be in treatment with one of our therapists. If your child only needs medication we suggest you see another psychiatrist or your primary care physician.
My child has been in counseling about a month and now things seem worse than ever. I thought things were supposed to get better.When therapy begins the child may be tentative or anxious to open up and talk with a therapist. Because of this, time is spent building trust with the child. As the child begins to talk more and open up, or the therapist pushes the conversation towards more painful topics, the child will be recalling events and experiencing feelings that are not very comfortable. The child can become very withdrawn or agitated. When this happens the child can carry these thoughts and feelings out of the session. This opening up can be a sign that these issues can now be talked about and as a result progress made to begin the healing process.
I am embarrassed that my child needs help. Have I done something wrong?Therapy is not about placing blame or identifying someone who has done something wrong. Parenting a child is the hardest job you will ever have in your life. Children’s problems are caused by a variety of issues. We will help you figure out the underlying issues for your child and how to address those issues.
Privacy PolicyChild Guidance Center Privacy Information
Our General Policy
CGC recognizes the importance of protecting information we may collect from visitors to our site. Our policy is to use the information we acquire from visitors to our sites for internal purposes only, and we maintain appropriate security measures to keep this information private. Users can visit the site without revealing any information about themselves. If one chooses to give us personal information via the Internet for the purposes of correspondence or processing a donation then it is our intent to let you know how we will use such information. If users tell us that they do not wish to have this information used as a basis for further contact, we will respect those wishes.
How We Use this Information
CGC uses your information to better understand your needs and provide you with better service. Specifically, we use your information to help you complete a transaction, to communicate back to you, to update you on service and benefits, and to personalize our web sites for you. From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research or to provide you with marketing information we think would be of particular interest. At a minimum, we will always give you the opportunity to opt out of receiving such direct marketing or market research contact.
Security
CGC takes precautions to keep the user information disclosed to us secure, and such information will not be disclosed to third parties for commercial purposes. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and to ensure the appropriate use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.
Our General Policy
CGC recognizes the importance of protecting information we may collect from visitors to our site. Our policy is to use the information we acquire from visitors to our sites for internal purposes only, and we maintain appropriate security measures to keep this information private. Users can visit the site without revealing any information about themselves. If one chooses to give us personal information via the Internet for the purposes of correspondence or processing a donation then it is our intent to let you know how we will use such information. If users tell us that they do not wish to have this information used as a basis for further contact, we will respect those wishes.
How We Use this Information
CGC uses your information to better understand your needs and provide you with better service. Specifically, we use your information to help you complete a transaction, to communicate back to you, to update you on service and benefits, and to personalize our web sites for you. From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for market research or to provide you with marketing information we think would be of particular interest. At a minimum, we will always give you the opportunity to opt out of receiving such direct marketing or market research contact.
Security
CGC takes precautions to keep the user information disclosed to us secure, and such information will not be disclosed to third parties for commercial purposes. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and to ensure the appropriate use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.
