Behavioral Health

An estimated 5.8 million children in the United States live with anxiety, and many more need help managing other mental and behavioral health conditions. At Cure With Care Pediatric, board-certified pediatrician Kshitij Bhalani, MD, specializes in diagnostic screenings and treatment services for a range of behavioral health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and autism. Dr. Bhalani takes a compassionate, integrative approach to caring for your child’s mental, emotional, and developmental health. Call the Irving, Texas, office to schedule a behavioral health consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is behavioral health?

Behavioral health is a field of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect your child’s mental, emotional, and developmental health.

Cure With Care Pediatric offers comprehensive care for children of all ages with behavioral health conditions. Dr. Bhalani can diagnose and treat a range of conditions, including:

• Autism
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Services are also available to address risk factors for or existing issues with substance abuse in adolescents and teenagers.

When should I schedule a behavioral health consultation?

You should schedule a behavioral health consultation at Cure With Care Pediatric if you notice any changes in your child’s personality, behaviors, or mental health, such as:

• Persistent sadness
• Anxiousness
• Repetitive behaviors
• Impulsive or reckless behaviors
• Difficulties staying organized
• Not reaching developmental milestones (sitting up, crawling, walking)

Complaints from school, sports, or other organizations about your child’s behaviors also require a medical evaluation. If you suspect your child is drinking alcohol or misusing drugs, schedule a consultation at Cure With Care Pediatrics.

Dr. Bhalani also provides routine mental, developmental, and behavioral health screenings during well-child visits to identify underlying conditions before your child experiences life-disrupting symptoms.

What happens during a behavioral health evaluation?

During your child’s initial behavioral health evaluation, Dr. Bhalani spends time reviewing your child’s medical history. He also reviews their family health histories to identify potential risk factors for mental or behavioral health issues.

After completing a physical exam, Dr. Bhalani may request blood work and other in-office lab tests to rule out underlying health issues as the cause of symptoms.

Treatment plans are available for a range of mental and behavioral health conditions. Dr. Bhalani customizes individual care plans for your child that may include:

• Lifestyle changes
• Nutrition improvements 
• Medications
• Referrals for psychological counseling or addiction treatment

Dr. Bhalani can also provide resources for your family, your child’s school, and other caregivers that support their academic and social success. Through routine checkups, he continues to monitor your child’s progress with treatment and can make adjustments as necessary.

Call Cure With Care Pediatric to schedule a behavioral health consultation or book an appointment online today.