Social Work

Caring for patients with a wide range of mental health needs

Caring for your child’s medical needs can be overwhelming, and the Social Work team at Connecticut Children’s is here to help. Our clinical social workers specialize in treating children and adolescents, from assessments and mental health diagnoses to emotional and practical support. They can help navigate treatment questions, new diagnoses, discharge plans and how to access resources. 

Social Work is part of an interdisciplinary mental health team, which also includes Psychology, Psychiatry and the Center for Care Coordination.

Is Your Child in Crisis?

If your child is in crisis, or a danger to themselves or others, call 911. In Connecticut, you can also call 211 for emergency or crisis intervention. For free, confidential support from the National Suicide Prevention Life Line, call 1.800.273.8255 or text “HOME” to 741741.


 

Our Areas of Expertise

Clinical social workers at Connecticut Children’s are specially trained to care for infants, children and young adults with a wide range of mental health needs, including:

  • Coping with new diagnosis or changes in care
  • Support during hospitalization
  • Trauma response
  • End of life support
  • Mental health risk assessments for depression, anxiety, aggression, PTSD, suicidality, and other mental health concerns (ex. adjustment to diagnosis, family system impact, etc.)
  • Clinical support and clinic based therapy for individuals and families

Meet the Team

The Social Work team at Connecticut Children’s is staffed by highly skilled social workers. Social work is part of an interdisciplinary team, which specializes in the unique mental health needs of children, teens and young adults.

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Programs & Services

Clinical social workers are part of the care teams in many specialties, including Endocrinology, Nephrology and the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders. These team members provide support with disease management, help patients adjust to new diagnoses, and identify mental health and community resources. If your child is receiving care in an outpatient clinic that does not have a dedicated social worker, you can ask your physician or advanced practice provider to request social work support.

The care team on each inpatient unit includes clinical social workers. If your child is admitted to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, a social worker will meet with your family to assess your needs – both while your family is in the hospital and after discharge. The Social Work team is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of the whole child and family through counseling and advocacy.

Connecticut Children’s Social Work team is available in the Emergency Department to support you and your child. If you have come to the Emergency Department with a mental health concern, our team will complete a psychiatric evaluation, provide clinical care and develop discharge plans. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, our clinical social workers provide immediate and urgent support to families for as long as you need us.

Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Transitions Clinic is a short-term clinic that provides comprehensive mental health services while children await care at a long-term facility. Patients in the clinic are seen by a behavioral health care coordinator, a licensed clinical social worker and a psychiatrist. The team focuses on short-term support, treatment, and, if appropriate, medication management, all while seeking long-term care for your child.

Resources for Patients & Families

Connecticut Children’s mental health experts have organized a number of resources to help patients and their families: