The Theiss Therapeutic Nursery & Preschool (TNP) serves children 6 months to 6 years of age. Infants and toddlers in the Nursery Program are at high risk for emotional and behavioral disorders, having experienced prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol and/or having a parent diagnosed with a serious psychiatric disorder. The Therapeutic Preschool enrolls preschool-age children with significant emotional and/or behavioral health disorders. Both the Nursery and Preschool deliver individualized, child-centered, and family-focused behavioral health treatment within a stimulating, naturalistic early learning environment. Theiss TNP is located at our flagship site on Pittsburgh's South Side.
The Theiss ECMH Outpatient Clinic is a behavioral health program for young children who exhibit symptoms of or who currently have a behavioral health diagnosis. Referrals for services are accepted for children ages 2 – 6 and treatment, on occasion, can extend as late as age 10 if clinically appropriate based on the child’s development or needed for continuity of care. Children served are those that are experiencing a range of behavioral and emotional disruptions such as aggression, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, disruptive behaviors, and emotional difficulties. ECMH Outpatient Services are offered at our South Side and Pine Center sites.
The IMPACT Mobile Therapy program (Interactive Mobile Parent And Child Treatment) provides specialized and evidence-based early childhood mental health services across Allegheny County for children and their families/caregivers. Therapeutic intervention is provided in the home, at school, or in daycare, and after school at community events and extracurricular activities. The goal of the IMPACT Mobile Therapy program is to provide mental health treatment and consultations as well as trauma-informed and/or evidence-based treatment within the child's daily environments.
All ECMH programs of the Theiss Center provide both assessment and treatment services. Licensed or license-eligible therapists complete comprehensive and age-appropriate evaluations to identify thoughtful treatment recommendations for young children. The evidence-based treatment services offered are proven effective for young children and include at minimum the young child and his/her primary caregiver in treatment sessions.
ECMH Evidence Based Treatments include:
Incredible Years Small Group Dina Treatment Program, designed for young children and their parents, targets social-emotional growth, academic readiness, and anger management. This treatment program will be used primarily as part of group therapy sessions that are held once per week for 1.5 hours. Individual lessons can also be implemented during individual or family therapy.
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a family centered treatment approach for children ages 2–7 with disruptive behavior. PCIT has also been used with abused and at-risk children ages 2–12. PCIT has proved to be an effective therapy with all caregivers— birth parents, adoptive parents, or foster or kin caregivers. During PCIT, parents learn strategies that will enhance the parent-child relationship and promote positive behaviors in children.
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is available as an individual outpatient service. CCPT or non-directive play therapy is a developmentally appropriate and play-based mental health treatment approach for young children ages 3 to 10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and relational disorders. Through play, the therapeutic relationship is used to provide a safe, consistent environment in which a child can process their emotions and experience full acceptance, empathy, and understanding.