UVA Health Clinic Enhances Mental Health Support for Children and Caregivers: Discover New Therapy Options!

A new program from UVA Health aims to increase the number of mental health providers trained in a special therapy for kids and their caregivers throughout Virginia. This initiative, led by Alisa Bahl, a pediatric psychologist, focuses on parent-child interaction therapy. It’s designed to help young children with behavioral challenges, especially those who have faced trauma.

To launch this clinic, Bahl earned the Ashley Thompson Manning Health Innovation Award, along with an $80,000 grant from the Jefferson Trust. Bahl explained, “This therapy helps caregivers learn skills to address their child’s mental health needs. It also reduces stress for parents, benefiting both kids and caregivers.”

Parent-child interaction therapy is effective for various disruptive behaviors, including those linked to trauma, foster care, and anxiety. At UVA Health, Bahl specializes in children with neurodevelopmental disorders and parenting strategies. She described the therapy as having two key phases. “First, we focus on creating a safe and loving connection between the child and caregiver. In the second phase, we provide real-time coaching to help caregivers engage with their child when faced with challenging behaviors,” she said.

Recent findings underscore the importance of supporting parents. In August, the U.S. Surgeon General highlighted parenting stress as a public health concern. The advisory recommended strategies to help parents manage stress, emphasizing the need for paid family leave, enhanced child care options, and access to universal preschool.

The report revealed that parents are experiencing high levels of stress more than in previous years. In 2023, 33% of parents reported significant stress in the past month, compared to just 20% of other adults. This highlights the urgency of initiatives like Bahl’s to support families in need.

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