Common Questions & Answers

Deciding to participate in a higher level of behavioral health care can be scary and is often not an easy decision for a parent. However, at Plena we will be with you every step of the way. An initial phone conversation to get a better understanding of your child’s needs is the first step. 

After the phone assessment, the Plena team will work with you to determine an appropriate start date.  We believe in getting children and adolescents mental health care when they need it. We do our best to complete an intake within 24 hours of the initial call and start programming quickly in order to create successful outcomes.

Collaboration of care is very important for your child’s treatment success.  With your permission, Plena will contact your child’s current outpatient treatment team upon program admission and remain in contact for the duration of the program.

Plena’s team includes board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists, licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, a licensed teacher, an expressive therapist (board-certified music therapist), and multiple patient support specialists. The team provides child and family centered care that is individualized to your child and family’s needs.

Evidence-based treatment is a template used by clinicians to select treatments that are thoroughly supported by research while also considering you and your child’s individual characteristics, values, and preferences along with our clinical expertise. Utilizing an evidence-based treatment approach allows our clinicians to draw upon decades of research in the treatment of child and adolescent mental health, while simultaneously allowing us to tailor our approach to your child and family needs. At Plena, we truly believe there is no “one size fits all” treatment, and utilizing an evidence-based treatment approach allows us to accomplish our goal of tailoring treatments to individual needs while providing treatments that have excellent research support.

Fit is important in pediatric behavioral health. If Plena is not the right fit for your child or family for any reason – our team will make an external referral to an alternative program based on your child’s most pressing needs.

As a parent or guardian, you will be an integral participant in the treatment process. At Plena, we aim to ensure open communication and collaboration about your child’s diagnosis, medication recommendations, and symptom management. The treatment team works collaboratively with parents and caregivers to identify approaches that help you support your child’s needs and provide strategies to help navigate your child’s feelings, symptoms, and behaviors.

Plena is in-network with many commercial insurances.  We will obtain prior authorization (as necessary) and send all claims to the payors.  Plena also offers flexible payment plans.

During PHP, a portion of the day is dedicated to schoolwork. A certified teacher will coordinate with you and your child’s school to obtain assignments and provide individualized academic support during the program day. For PHP and IOP, your child’s primary clinician will communicate relevant information to your child’s school social worker/psychologist and coordinate return to school upon program completion (as needed).

The clinicians at Plena utilize evidence-based treatment modalities that focus on symptom reduction. Group, individual, and family sessions are provided. All treatment modalities are child and family centered and focused on increased functioning. In order to gain more unique insights and address the deeper core of each child’s unique challenges, a combination of different approaches may be helpful. In some cases, a combination of medication with psychotherapy may be more effective.

Commonly used evidence-based therapies are: 

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
• Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
• Supportive Parenting For Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) 
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Supportive Therapy

Integrated medication assessment and management is a crucial part of providing comprehensive care to your child. While not every child will require medications, it may be a part of your child’s optimal treatment plan. In order to complete individualized assessments and make thoughtful recommendations, our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists are on-site daily. This enables your child's psychiatrist to adjust medication in collaboration with you, your child, and the clinical team.

Prior to transitioning from Plena, your child's primary therapist will work with you and your child. Plena will provide support and collaboration with parents and the child's outpatient treatment team.