Integrated behavioral health and how can it help my child?

Recognizing early signs of mental health problems and helping parents know when a behavioral or emotional issue needs professional help are crucial for healthy development and well-being of children and adolescents.

That’s why at Children’s Minnesota we integrate behavioral health professionals into our primary care setting so we ensure children get the care they need when they need it most. We have integrated behavioral health at all nine of our primary care clinics located throughout the metro area.

What is integrated behavioral health (IBH)?

Integrated behavioral health connects medical and behavioral health clinicians together to collaborate with each other and their patients and families to address medical conditions and related behavioral health factors that affect health and well-being.

Children’s Minnesota’s behavioral health specialists (psychologists, social workers, counselors) work closely with primary care providers (pediatricians, nurse practitioners) to provide coordinated, convenient and cost-effective behavioral health services for children and adolescents at their primary care clinics.

What types of behaviors can behavioral health specialists treat?

Adjustment disorders
Attention difficulties or ADHD
Anxiety
Behavioral problems
Coping with stress
Disruptive behaviors/tantrums

Parent-child conflict
Parenting support
Depression/mood problems
School issues
Sleep concerns
Trauma related concerns

We understand that mental health issues don’t just affect your child — they affect your whole family. And we’re here to help.

What are the benefits of IBH?

Easy access to individual and family therapy services

Behavioral health specialists see patients at primary care clinics or can connect with your family online during a virtual care visit. In addition, families can get support from behavioral health specialists during well-child check-ups and other appointments as needs arise.

IBH allows parents to address questions about their children’s emotional and behavioral health without making a separate appointment with a specialist.

Coordinated care

IBH can help coordinate care between other services (medical, behavioral health, school, community, etc.) and can bridge between outpatient behavioral health services.

This will also help with minimizing health care costs because it is integrated within primary care clinics.