Children’s Mental Health Services in Southern West Virginia

Finding mental health care for your child in rural Appalachia can be challenging. This guide explains what services are available in Southern West Virginia and how to access them.

When Does My Child Need Mental Health Services?

Common signs that your child may benefit from therapy:

Emotional/Behavioral Changes:

Persistent sadness or withdrawal lasting more than 2 weeks
Excessive worry or anxiety that interferes with daily activities
Frequent temper tantrums or aggressive behavior (beyond normal developmental stages)
Sudden changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy

School-Related Issues:

Declining grades or school refusal
Difficulty concentrating or completing homework
Frequent conflicts with teachers or peers
Complaints from teachers about behavior

Social Difficulties:

Withdrawal from friends and family
Difficulty making or keeping friends
Being bullied or bullying others
Excessive clinginess or separation anxiety

Trauma Responses:

Nightmares or sleep disturbances after a traumatic event
Regression to younger behaviors (bedwetting, thumb-sucking)
Excessive fear or avoidance
Re-enacting traumatic events in play

ADHD Symptoms:

Difficulty paying attention or following instructions
Excessive fidgeting or inability to sit still
Impulsive behavior that causes problems at school or home
Difficulty organizing tasks or completing assignments

Children’s Mental Health Services at SHCMHC

Outpatient Therapy

Individual Therapy (Ages 3-17)

Play therapy for younger children (ages 3-10)
Talk therapy for adolescents (ages 11-17)
Trauma-focused CBT for children who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or other trauma
Family therapy to improve communication and resolve conflicts

Group Therapy

Social skills groups
Anger management groups
Grief and loss groups
Teen support groups

Frequency: Typically weekly sessions, 45-60 minutes

ADHD Evaluation and Treatment

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment:

Parent and teacher questionnaires
Clinical interview with child and family
Behavioral observations
Cognitive testing (if needed)
School records review

Treatment Options:

Medication management (if appropriate)
Behavioral interventions
Parent training in behavior management
School accommodations (504 plans, IEPs)
Coordination with teachers and school counselors

Timeline: Assessment takes 2-3 appointments; results and treatment plan provided within 2 weeks

School-Based Services

Available in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming County Schools:

Individual counseling at school (no transportation needed)
Crisis intervention
Behavioral support
Coordination with teachers and school staff
Parent consultation

How to Access:

Contact your child’s school counselor
Call SHCMHC at 304-425-9541
School can make referral with parent permission

Benefits:

No missed school time for appointments
Therapist can observe child in school setting
Direct collaboration with teachers
Reduced transportation barriers

Family Therapy

When is family therapy recommended?

Parent-child conflict
Blended family adjustment
Divorce or separation
Behavioral problems at home
Communication difficulties
Sibling conflicts

What happens in family therapy?

All family members attend (or those involved in the issue)
Therapist helps family communicate more effectively
Learn problem-solving strategies
Develop consistent rules and consequences
Strengthen family relationships

Crisis Services for Children

24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit:

Immediate psychiatric evaluation for children in crisis
Safety planning
Short-term stabilization (up to 23 hours)
Connection to ongoing services

When to use crisis services:

Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
Severe aggression or violence
Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions)
Severe behavioral crisis that cannot be managed at home

Call 304-425-9541 anytime, 24/7

Common Childhood Mental Health Conditions We Treat

Anxiety Disorders

Separation anxiety
Social anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder
Specific phobias
Panic disorder

Treatment: CBT, exposure therapy, relaxation techniques, family therapy, medication (if severe)

Depression

Persistent sadness
Loss of interest in activities
Changes in sleep and appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide

Treatment: Individual therapy, family therapy, medication (for moderate to severe depression), school support

ADHD

Inattentive type
Hyperactive-impulsive type
Combined type

Treatment: Medication management, behavioral interventions, parent training, school accommodations

Trauma and PTSD

Physical or sexual abuse
Witnessing domestic violence
Loss of a parent or loved one
Natural disasters
Community violence

Treatment: Trauma-focused CBT, EMDR (for older children/teens), play therapy, family therapy

Behavioral Disorders

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Conduct Disorder
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Treatment: Parent training, behavioral interventions, family therapy, individual therapy, medication (if needed)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (Support Services)

Social skills training
Behavioral support
Family education and support
Coordination with school IEP team

Note: We do not provide autism evaluations but can support children with existing diagnoses

What to Expect: Your Child’s First Appointment

Initial Assessment (60-90 minutes)

Parent Interview (30-45 minutes):

Developmental history
Current concerns and symptoms
Family history of mental health conditions
Medical history
School performance
Social relationships
Previous treatment (if any)

Child Interview (30-45 minutes):

Age-appropriate conversation about feelings and behaviors
Play-based assessment for younger children
Questionnaires or rating scales for older children
Observation of child’s behavior and interaction style

Treatment Plan:

Therapist explains diagnosis (if applicable)
Recommends treatment approach
Discusses frequency of sessions
Answers parent questions

Ongoing Therapy Sessions

For Younger Children (Ages 3-10):

Play therapy using toys, art, and games
Parent involvement in most sessions
Parent coaching on behavior management
Progress updates every 4-6 sessions

For Older Children/Teens (Ages 11-17):

Talk therapy with some activities
More individual time with therapist
Periodic parent sessions
Collaboration with school (with permission)

Insurance and Payment for Children’s Services

WV Medicaid (CHIP)

✅ Fully covers all children’s mental health services
✅ No copay for therapy, medication management, or crisis services
✅ No prior authorization needed for CCBHC services
✅ Covers school-based services

Private Insurance

Most plans cover children’s mental health services
Copays vary by plan
Check with your insurance about coverage

Uninsured Families

Sliding scale fees based on household income
Payment plans available
As a CCBHC, we cannot turn your child away due to inability to pay

School-Based Services: How They Work

Referral Process

Parent gives permission for school-based services
School counselor or teacher completes referral form
SHCMHC therapist contacts parent to schedule intake
Services begin within 1-2 weeks

What Happens During School-Based Therapy?

Therapist comes to school weekly
Child is pulled from class (usually non-academic time like study hall)
30-45 minute individual session
Therapist coordinates with teachers and school staff
Parent receives regular progress updates

Benefits of School-Based Services

No transportation barriers - especially important in rural areas
No missed work for parents
Therapist sees child in school environment - can observe peer interactions, classroom behavior
Direct collaboration with teachers - therapist can help implement behavioral strategies in classroom
Reduced stigma - many children feel more comfortable receiving services at school

Schools We Serve

Mercer County Schools
McDowell County Schools
Wyoming County Schools
Private schools (case-by-case basis)

Parent Support and Education

Parent Training Programs

Behavioral management strategies
Communication skills
Understanding your child’s diagnosis
Medication education
Advocating for your child at school

Support Groups

Parents of children with ADHD
Parents of children with anxiety/depression
Parents of teens
Grandparents raising grandchildren

Family Education

Understanding mental health conditions
How to talk to your child about therapy
Supporting your child’s treatment at home
Crisis prevention and safety planning

Medication Management for Children

When is medication considered?

Moderate to severe symptoms
Symptoms interfere significantly with school, family, or social functioning
Therapy alone hasn’t been sufficient
ADHD (medication is often first-line treatment)

Who prescribes medication?

Board-certified psychiatrists
Psychiatric nurse practitioners
Pediatricians (we coordinate care)

Medication monitoring:

Monthly appointments initially
Monitor for side effects
Adjust dosage as needed
Regular check-ins with therapist
Coordination with school

Common medications for children:

ADHD: Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) or non-stimulants (Strattera, Intuniv)
Anxiety: SSRIs (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro)
Depression: SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft)
Severe behavioral issues: Mood stabilizers or atypical antipsychotics (case-by-case)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know if my child needs therapy or if this is just a phase?
A: If behaviors last more than 2 weeks, interfere with school or relationships, or cause significant distress to your child or family, it’s worth getting an assessment. Even if it’s “just a phase,” therapy can help your child develop coping skills.

Q: Will therapy make my child think something is wrong with them?
A: Therapists frame therapy in age-appropriate, positive ways (“a place to talk about feelings,” “someone to help with worries”). Most children feel relieved to have support.

Q: How long will my child need therapy?
A: It varies. Some children benefit from 8-12 sessions for a specific issue. Others need ongoing support for months or years. We reassess regularly and adjust as needed.

Q: What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?
A: Resistance is common, especially for teens. We work with parents on how to present therapy positively and engage reluctant children. Once they start, most children enjoy having a safe space to talk.

Q: Can I sit in on my child’s therapy sessions?
A: For young children, parents are often in the room. For older children/teens, therapists typically meet individually to build trust, with periodic parent sessions. Therapists will always keep you informed of progress and safety concerns.

Q: Will the school know my child is in therapy?
A: Only if you give permission. For school-based services, the school knows your child receives counseling but not the details discussed in sessions. Therapists follow strict confidentiality rules.

Q: What if I disagree with the diagnosis or treatment plan?
A: You are your child’s advocate. Ask questions, express concerns, and request a second opinion if needed. Treatment works best when parents and therapists collaborate.

Getting Started

Schedule an Appointment

Call: 304-425-9541
Walk-In: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM at our Children’s Clinic

What to bring:

Insurance card
List of current medications (if any)
School records or report cards (if available)
Any previous mental health records

Locations

Children’s Clinic - 304 Honaker Avenue, Princeton, WV
School-Based Services - Available in Mercer, McDowell, and Wyoming County schools
Other SHCMHC locations - Children’s services available at all 6 locations

Crisis Services

24/7 Crisis Line: 1-800-615-0122
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

You’re Not Alone

Thousands of children in Southern West Virginia struggle with mental health challenges. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Early intervention can prevent problems from worsening and help your child develop skills that will serve them for life.

Your child deserves support. You deserve support. We’re here to help.

To schedule a children’s mental health assessment, call 304-425-9541 or visit our Children’s Clinic Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM.