Tag: child psychiatry

To expand access to behavioral health services for children, teens and their families across New York, Northwell Health has formed a strategic alliance with Brightline, a pediatric and adolescent  family-centered mental health provider.

Through the collaboration, patients gain access to evidence-based, family-centered mental healthcare, whether in person at Brightline clinics in Lake Success and Brooklyn, or virtually. The partnership aims to address an increasing demand for youth and family behavioral health services in the region.

Northwell already provides behavioral health services to children, including outpatient and inpatient care, urgent care and emergency care, and school services. But because of what Northwell has described as a growing demand for services, the health system “refers a significant number of patients with behavioral health needs to external therapists and psychiatrists,” according to a news release about the collaboration with Brightline.

With the collaboration, Northwell patients now have streamlined access to referrals within Brightline’s network of licensed clinicians — including psychologists, psychiatrists and therapists — who specialize in treating anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, trauma, obsessive compulsive disorder and parenting stress.

“Our strategic alliance with Brightline reflects our shared commitment to meeting families where they are – in their neighborhoods, their schools, and even their homes,” Michael Scarpelli, senior vice president and president of Behavioral Health Services at Northwell, said in the news release.

The collaboration is designed to align with New York State’s efforts to improve behavioral health access and better integrate mental and physical care for children and adolescents.

“Together with Brightline, we’re building stronger mental health support for our youngest patients and the people who care for them,” Dr. John Young, Northwell’s chair of Psychiatry, said in the news release. “We’re also making it much easier for New York families to receive this care either virtually or in-person at the Brightline clinic locations.”

The collaboration expands access to pediatric mental health care and broadens service offerings in existing and new markets. Northwell patients can now access Brightline’s services, including evaluations, therapy, psychiatry, medication management and psychological testing.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Northwell Health to extend our reach and remove the barriers that prevent so many young people and families from getting the support they need,” Naomi Allen, CEO and co-founder of Brightline said in the news release.

“All families deserve timely, affordable, and compassionate care, and we’re honored to bring that to more families in New York,” Allen said. “Northwell Health has long supported New York families’ and children’s mental health – demonstrated by their ongoing financial and clinical commitment to the space.”

Brightline provides in-person psychological testing for autism, learning disorders, executive functioning, school readiness, giftedness and more. The organization also provides access to therapy, psychiatry and medication management for children with depression or trauma as needed. It offers specialized programs to test, diagnose and treat higher-acuity conditions through therapy, psychiatry and medication management. And it delivers patient-centered, age-appropriate care with personalized plans that are family focused. Care teams also collaborate with pediatricians to align physical and mental health support.