UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s Frequently Asked Questions

We take a multidisciplinary approach to your care, meaning your child will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. This multidisciplinary care model allows us to address your child’s entire spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Our goal is to provide comprehensive care designed to meet your child’s specific needs.

Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning your child will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained mental health experts have extensive experience treating behavioral and mental health disorders and work alongside a team of pediatric specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, child life specialists, expressive therapists, dietitians, social workers, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way. We also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to schedule and coordinate any additional care services your child may need.

Dell Children's is also the only hospital in the region that has a pediatric mental health unit on-site. The UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s care team provides both inpatient and outpatient services, which may include medication management and treatment to improve the ability to problem-solve and cope with emotional crises, improve communication skills, set goals, and recognize personal strengths and address problem areas.

In addition to providing inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment, we strive to address your child’s entire spectrum of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. All of these areas impact your child’s quality life and are an integral part of our mission at UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s. We also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to schedule and coordinate any additional care services your child may need.

The UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s care team includes board-certified and fellowship-trained mental health experts who have extensive experience treating behavioral and mental health disorders and work alongside a team of pediatric specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, child life specialists, expressive therapists, dietitians, social workers, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients every step of the way. We also collaborate closely with referring physicians and other partners in the community to schedule and coordinate any additional care services your child may need.

UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children's diagnoses, treats, and manages the care of children and adolescents with behavioral and mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more.

A list of conditions treated at UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children's can be found here.

UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children's diagnoses, treats, and manages the care of children and adolescents with behavioral and mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more.

A list of services provided at UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children's can be found here.

UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children's is committed to providing both whole-patient and whole-family care and is dedicated to making every childhood the beginning of a healthy and happy life. We believe every child and their family deserves the best possible care, which is why we’ve compiled a list of resources that may be beneficial to you and your family.

A list of local and national resources can be found here.

UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s is comprised of highly specialized pediatric mental health providers who are experienced in providing specific services needed to treat a variety of conditions. Depending on your child’s needs, a team is built around you and your family to ensure you are receiving the most personalized care.

Specialties within UT Health Austin Pediatric Psychiatry at Dell Children’s include:

• Inpatient Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Texas Child Study Center

The Inpatient Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit is a 24-bed inpatient hospital housed at Dell Children’s Medical Center that diagnoses, treats, and manages the care for children and adolescents (ages 6-17) showing significant signs of mental distress that require immediate treatment. Our goal is to bring patients back to a level of safety and stability so they can return home as quickly as possible.

The Inpatient Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit is the only pediatric mental health unit in Central Texas that is connected to a hospital.

If your child is showing symptoms of distress or mental illness, please call our 24/7 acute crisis line at 1-512-324-0029 to speak with a licensed counselor, who is qualified to understand your current situation and direct you to the appropriate services.

If you think your child is in mental health crisis and might harm themselves or others, please dial 9-1-1 or visit the nearest emergency room.

The length of hospital stay depends on both your child and your family’s progress. The average length of stay is 5 days.

Your child’s care team will meet daily to discuss your child’s treatment, progress, and when they believe your child will be ready to return home.

Your child’s care team will include:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists – A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in children. A child and adolescent psychiatrist will evaluate your child’s mental and physical health and treatment response as well as prescribe your child medications as needed. A resident psychiatrist and/or medical student(s) may also work with your child.
• Social Worker – A social worker will work with you and your child to develop a safe plan of return to home. Your child’s social worker will be the primary point of contact for your child and your family.
• Nurse – A nurse will monitor your child’s needs, medications, and medical status. You can speak with the nurse and ask questions about your child’s care at any time of day or night.
• Expressive Therapists – An expressive therapist incorporates art, drama, music, and movement into your child’s treatment plan.
• Behavioral Health Technicians – A behavioral health technician will be with your child each day to ensure they are safe and provide assistance throughout their treatment.

The Inpatient Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit care team provides a wide range of services, from evaluation, testing, and diagnosis to psycho-education, psychiatric management, therapy, and more, to give patients and their families the best quality of life.

Your child will participate in a variety of activities and groups that will help your child navigate depression, anxiety, stress, and problems with relationships.

Types of group therapy may include:

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Helps patients develop skills to manage painful emotions and decrease conflict in relationships; Skills focus on improving acceptance, managing emotions, and communication
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Focuses on changing behavior patterns by interrupting the cycle of negative thoughts, feelings, and actions
• Coping Skills – Helps patients develop problem solving skills to manage coping with triggers
• Expressive Therapy – Teaching patients calming techniques to help with stress through the use of art, music, movement, writing, and psychodrama

You may call the unit at any time of day or night and ask to speak to the nurse. Information about your child’s progress, treatment, and behavior will be provided regularly through your child’s social worker. Anyone requesting information about or to speak with your child must have an access code specific to your child, which will be provided at the time of admission.

Due to limited storage space, we suggest patients only bring necessary clothing items. Patients will have access to both a washer and dryer. The hospital can provide patients with a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, a comb, a brush, feminine products, lotion, and deodorant.

We recommend packing the following:

• 3-5 shirts
• 2-4 pairs of pants
• 5-6 pairs of underwear and bras
• 5-6 pairs of socks
• 2 sets of pajamas

The following items are allowed:

• 5 cosmetic items that are absent of mirrors, glass, and sharp edges
• Personal hygiene items that are alcohol-free and in non-aerosol containers
• Modest clothing that is free of drawstring, shoelaces, and designs or images containing alcohol, drugs, expletives (curse words), and violent themes
• Books, magazines, and journals that are not spiral- or staple-bound
• Home medications or medication list; Any home medications will be securely stored in the hospital pharmacy
• Necessary medical devices, such as a breathing machine
• Items of comfort, such as pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal/plushie; These items must remain in patient’s room

For the safety of your child, all items must be checked by security and staff. We are a locked facility with controlled access between units.

For the safety of your child, we ask that they adhere to a set of guidelines.

Guidelines include:

• Respect yourself, your peers, the staff, and the hospital
• Respect physical space; High fives are the only acceptable form of physical touch
• Use language that is free from expletives (curse words) and discussion about drugs, violence, and sex
• Attend all activities and groups
• Notify staff of all safety concerns
• Keep your door open when you are in your room and locked when you are not in your room
• Keep your room organized and clean
• Eat all food and snacks in the day room or cafeteria; Please clean up after you are finished eating
• Frequent the dayrooms, hallways, and your own room; Other areas may be entered when accompanied by staff only
• Visit with your family in the day room or common areas
• Call the individuals on your approved call list during designated call times
• Respect the privacy of your peers; You can keep each other safe by NOT sharing the identity or the stories of your peers with ANYONE (including while you are in the hospital, after you leave, and on social media)

Yes, all patients can make and receive phone calls. We do not have set times for making and receiving phone calls, as we try to let patients make or receive calls whenever possible and do not want this to get in the way of their care.

We ask that you please avoid calling between the following hours:

• 9:30 -11:30 a.m.
• 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• After 9:00 p.m. (We try to have calls finished by this time so that patients can get the rest they need.)

You can call and speak to a nurse at any time of day or night. We will only share information about your child and their progress with you and those you have given permission to by sharing with them the access code that is specific to your child. Your child’s safety is our number one priority, and we appreciate your understanding.

Upon admission, you will receive an access code specific to your child and complete a form that lists the immediate family members you want to allow to visit or speak to your child. Visitors should be parents, primary caretakers, or household members over the age of 12. Patients are not allowed to have friends visit or call. Only two visitors will be allowed at a time. Due to space limitations, you will be assigned a specific time for visitation, and we ask that your visits be limited to 30 minutes so that your child can maximize their time receiving treatment within the unit. If there is any need for a longer visitation, please speak with your child’s assigned care team. We want to make sure everyone has a chance to visit with their families while they are here.

Hospital policy does not allow outside food or drinks.

We are committed to the health and safety of your child. To address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented enhanced safety precautions.

COVID-19 safety precautions include:

• Each patient has to test negative for COVID-19 prior to coming to the unit
• All patients and staff members are required to wear a mask at all possible times (this excludes eating, drinking, showering, and sleeping)
• Frequent hand washing is encouraged, and hand sanitizer is readily available
• Social distancing is observed by all patients and staff members with tables placed at least 6 feet apart and groups held in smaller numbers to allow at least 6 feet of distance between each person