Outpatient Mental Health
Franciscan Children’s team of psychiatrists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, neuropsychologists, and social workers specialize in the evaluation and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injuries, psychiatric disorders (such as mood disorders, anxiety, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), learning difficulties, and behavioral challenges.
We work together to provide comprehensive outpatient mental health services to the community and local schools, and we strive to integrate our services into a meaningful therapeutic environment for each child and family. We also have a close liaison with local pediatricians and pediatric neurologists, along with laboratory accessibility, for all medical involvement.
Through the quality of care we provide, we aim to respond to all the needs of our patients in a respectful and dignified atmosphere.
About Our Program
Outpatient Services
Services available:
- Counseling
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Expressive Therapy
- Group Therapy (Lego-based Social Skills Club)
- Medication Evaluations
- Neuropsychological Evaluations
- Psychiatry
- Psychological Evaluations
- School Based Programs
Multidisciplinary Evaluation Program
The Multidisciplinary Evaluation Program is a comprehensive outpatient evaluation service intended to assist children who are experiencing developmental, learning, behavioral, and emotional problems at home, in the classroom, or in the community. Based upon input from parents, physicians, teachers, or other caretakers, a series of assessments are completed by a team of pediatric specialists. Evaluations are available in a multitude of disciplines.
Franciscan Children’s offers neuropsychological and psychological evaluations as part of the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Program. A neuropsychological evaluation, specifically, involves the assessment of how behavior and skills are related to brain structures and systems. During the course of a neuropsychological evaluation, areas such as cognition, language, visual spatial/perceptual motor, memory, executive function, and neurobehavioral status are tested objectively. In contrast, a psychological evaluation is intended to assess a child’s cognitive abilities, along with mood and social/emotional functioning.
As part of either evaluation, a careful history of the child’s developmental, medical, psychological, educational, and social history is obtained from the parent(s) or caregiver(s). The clinician will then meet with the child to conduct the evaluation over the course of one or two days, depending on the needs of the child. Following the evaluation, the clinician will use all of the information he or she has collected to identify the child’s areas of strength and weakness, and present a comprehensive summary of the child’s overall functioning in the specified areas. Classroom and treatment recommendations are provided to help parents, schools, and physicians gain a better understanding of the child’s needs.
Psychology Internship Program
APA – Accredited Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology
The mission of the Franciscan Children’s Psychology Internship Program is to prepare doctoral students for competent practice of the profession of psychology in a variety of health care, behavioral health, and educational settings. Training focuses on service delivery, ethics, and sensitivity to individual and cultural differences. Current research findings and health care delivery trends are also included in the program.
Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
American Psychological Association
750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org
Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
2025-2026 Psychology Internship Program Outline
Insurance
Most private insurances accepted. Medicaid and Massachusetts Health accepted. Interpreter Services Available.
Psychology Practicum/Advanced Fieldwork in Outpatient BHS
Specialty Groups
Lego-based Social Skills Club
Franciscan Children’s offers Lego-based social skills groups for children between the ages of 6 and 15 years old. The sessions last one hour and consist of 3-5 children with a maximum ratio of 2.5 children to adults. This evidence-based model helps to improve the interpersonal skills of children who struggle with social skill deficits like those often seen in autism spectrum disorders. The program is run by a doctoral level psychologist and focuses on effectively communicating with others, sharing, turn taking, following directions, and other important interpersonal skills.
Clubs will begin in the fall for children in 1st -6th grade. The 1st -3rd grade group will meet Wednesdays at 4:00pm starting September 26th. The 4th -6th grade group will meet Tuesdays at 5:00pm starting October 30th. We are now accepting referrals for both fall groups at this time. With new groups regularly forming we encourage parents and families to contact the Outpatient Mental Health Services department at 617-779-3141 for more information or to place a referral.
Interpreter services are available for parents in all languages. Most insurance are accepted, including all forms of MassHealth.
Additional Contact Information
BHS-Admin@franciscanchildrens.org
617-254-3800 x1314
To make a referral, please call (617) 254-3800, ext. 1314. Clinicians will return telephone calls and schedule the first appointment after the initial referral information is gathered.
Contact Now