Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health Clinics

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The Behavioral Health Clinics at UNMC's Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) are specialty clinics that provide evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents and their families exhibiting a wide range of academic, behavioral, developmental, emotional and social issues.

Many of these clinics are integrated into primary care offices and are a cooperative effort between your physician and the psychology department at UNMC. Other clinics are located at Munroe-Meyer Institute.

For more information about this clinic, see a brochure or the FAQs below.

Contact Us 402-559-6408

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Who benefits from services in Behavioral Health clinics?  

We are dedicated to serving children, adolescents and families experiencing common behavioral health problems, including:

  • Adjustment-related problems
  • Aggression
  • Anger management
  • Anxiety
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism
  • Bedwetting
  • Chronic pain
  • Conduct disorder (e.g., lying, stealing)
  • Depression
  • Disruptive behavior
  • Emotion-regulation difficulties
  • Family transition issues
  • Fears
  • Feeding/mealtime concerns
  • Hygiene
  • Impulse-control difficulties
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Medical treatment adherence
  • Mild self-harm/poor coping
  • Mood disorders
  • Obsessions and compulsions
  • Oppositional behavior
  • Panic
  • Parent-child conflicts
  • Parent-teen communication difficulties
  • Pervasive developmental disorders
  • Phobias
  • School-related difficulties
  • Sleep problems
  • Social skills problems
  • Stress management
  • Tics and habits
  • Toileting/soiling accidents

Families may also present with many unique stressors surrounding concerns regarding their child or adolescent’s behavior that include:

  • bullying
  • divorce/separation
  • lack of social support
  • military deployment
  • peer conflict
  • transition to a new environment
  • traumatic brain injury

We also provide services in the following areas:

  • Applied behavior analysis
  • Biofeedback
  • Independent education evaluations
  • Neurobehavioral services
  • Neuropsychological testing
  • Psychological testing
  • School consultation

The clinics serve children and adolescents between birth and age 19.

Who provides the services?  

Services are provided by graduate-level behavioral therapists, post-doctoral fellows and licensed psychologists who are specially trained in behavioral pediatrics. In most clinics, licensed psychologists are assisted by or provide therapy alongside graduate-level behavioral therapists. All clinical services are supervised by licensed psychologists.

What does a typical session look like?  

The MMI Psychology Department model involves a thorough evidence-based assessment and treatment process. In most cases, both the child and parents attend all sessions. At the first session, a careful assessment is conducted that involves a semi-structured clinical interview with parents, relevant questionnaires and observation of family interaction. This information is used to determine the nature of the issue and a potential course of treatment. From the onset of treatment, clear goals are developed in collaboration with the family to improve not only the functioning of the child but also the functioning of the child’s surrounding family and support system. Therapy sessions are usually scheduled weekly or every other week. The number of therapy sessions depends on the nature and severity of the issue, but between five and 10 visits is common.

The assessment and treatment process often involves consultation with relevant external systems, such as the school or other primary-care providers (e.g., pediatrician, psychiatrists) and a review of previous mental health records.

The content of treatment sessions depends on the main concerns presented by the family. The Behavioral Health Clinics use an active, practical, brief and research-supported approach to treatment. This often includes skills training and practice in session, as well as problem-solving responses to behaviors that occur outside of session. Parents and children are typically given strategies to practice between office visits to improve behaviors and coping.

What support is available for parents and caregivers?  

Parents are considered a vital part of therapy and are heavily involved in treatment recommendations. Depending on the main concerns presented by the family, much of the time in session may be spent problem-solving parent and caregiver responses to behavior.

For more information, go to our Community Resources.

Where are the clinics located?  

Many of the Behavioral Health Clinics are integrated within primary-care clinics throughout the community, but families may also be seen at the institute.

Telehealth services are also available through the psychology department. To inquire about telehealth services, contact 402-559-5730.

What is the cost?  

Services at Behavioral Health Clinics are covered under the mental health portion of most insurance plans, including Medicaid. If you are not sure about coverage, contact your insurance carrier or the benefits office at your place of employment and ask about your coverage. Individuals seen at a Behavioral Health Clinic are registered as patients in the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute system, which is responsible for all billing and record management.

How do I make an appointment?  

Consult our clinic locations for the Behavioral Health Clinic near you to schedule an appointment or to obtain more information. You may also contact the psychology department at 402-559-6408 or 1-800-656-3937 ext. 96408.

Is there a waiting list?  

To inquire about accessing services available in behavioral health clinics, please contact the psychology department at 402-559-6408 or 1-800-656-3937 ext. 96408.