Our Blog
News and insight from Franciscan about our philosophy of hope through healthcare and recent issues affecting children’s wellness.
Behavioral Health Services at Franciscan Children’s
Making sure that individuals have access to mental healthcare can improve lives and communities. Having access to mental health resources has been shown to reduce or eliminate the risk of suicide,… Continue Reading
Mental Health Support Services
In-Patient Mental Health Programs at Franciscan Children’s
Every year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical… Continue Reading
Education Medical Services Mental Health Support Services
School-based Mental Health Programs Provided by Franciscan Children’s
According to the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, up to one in five children in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder every year. Symptoms often begin in early… Continue Reading
Education Medical Services Mental Health Support Services
Coordinated Autism Service Line: Helping One Family at a Time
Written by clinical psychologist, Dr. Dan Clark CASL – Coordinated Autism Service Line at Franciscan Children’s The Coordinated Autism Service Line (CASL) at Franciscan Children’s is a program within the… Continue Reading
Art Therapy as Treatment for Adolescent Suicidality
Written by: Marina Doering, Art Therapist for Franciscan Children’s Self-injury in adolescents is receiving increased attention in the media and across the mental health field as the COVID-19 pandemic continues… Continue Reading
The Emotional Benefits of Art Therapy
Written by: Marina Doering, Art Therapist for Franciscan Children’s Art therapy is not only a great way to reduce stress, but it has also been found to improve or… Continue Reading
Suicidal Ideation in Very Young Children
Blog written by Shoshana J Fagen, PsyD – September 2021 Back at the beginning of my career, part of my job was to consult for a head start program. The… Continue Reading
Understanding Suicidal Feelings in Children and Adolescents
Blog written by Emily Strainchamps, LICSW – September 2021 Franciscan Children’s Behavioral Health Services As a clinical social worker, I’ve sat with many adolescents and children struggling with feelings of… Continue Reading
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Back to School 2021: Weathering the Storm Together to Prevent Suicide
Blog is written by: Anna Lingan, CWI School-Based Therapist |Site Manager for Winship Elementary School, and Jane Carper, CWI School-Based Therapist | Site Manager for Higginson Lewis School. At the… Continue Reading
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! This month focuses on creating awareness and discussion about mental health in minority communities to increase their access to mental health care and… Continue Reading
Art and mental health: using the creative process to cope and connect
The stigma around mental health issues often leaves the patients and families navigating them left feeling isolated and hopeless. Katherine Jordan, an expressive therapies intern, found a way to break through that loneliness through a unique artwork project on our Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) unit.
Early Identification of Autism: Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment FAQ
Dr. Amanda Platner is a licensed clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Dr. Platner has played a key role in developing and piloting the Autism Service at Franciscan Children’s. We sat down with her to ask her about the service, how it works, and some of the Frequently Asked Questions she receives from families.
How to Transition Your Child From School Year to Summer Vacation
As the school year comes to an end, it’s time to prepare for the transition into summer break. Shifting kids into new routines without disrupting their current schedules can be challenging. Too many adjustments at once can lead to behavioral changes, worries and anxieties, but there are steps you can take to make the transition as smooth as possible for your family.
Dispelling the Myths: How to talk about mental health and what you can do to cure stigma
Learning the facts about mental illness and how to begin a dialogue on these sensitive issues is the best place to start to reduce the stigma around mental illness. It is only through deliberate and mindful actions that we can make a change. So, let’s talk about the facts and what we can do now!
Child Life for Inpatient Mental Health Programs
At Franciscan Children’s our Child Life Specialists promote effective coping, and facilitate healing through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. In honor of Child Life Month, we’re sitting down with them to learn more about how they’ve expanded their team to provide support and services to patients in our Inpatient Mental Health Program.
Franciscan Children’s expands commitment to pediatric mental health through new initiatives with the Archdiocese of Boston and McLean Hospital
Designed to provide extensive community outreach and a comprehensive continuum of mental health services at Franciscan Children’s, new initiatives with the Archdiocese of Boston and McLean Hospital will serve to improve the lives of even more children and families affected by pediatric mental illness.
School-based Children’s Wellness Initiative continues through the summer
School may be out for summer, but our Children’s Wellness Initiative (CWI) staff are still working hard to make sure that care for kids continues year round.
Screen time for kids: setting safe boundaries
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, but our increasing need to stay connected is threatening our personal connections with our families and friends. Julie Ogletree, LICSW, a child and adolescent psychotherapist in our Outpatient Mental Health department, talks about the negative effects of screen time and how you can set safe boundaries for your family.
Medical Services Mental Health
Meet our Team: Kat, Residential Counselor and Supervisor Team Lead
Kat is a Residential Counselor and Supervisor Team Lead in our Community Based Acute Treatment (CBAT) program, providing direct support to children experiencing behavioral and emotional difficulties. Care for one kid isn’t the same for another, says Kat, who works with her team to adapt and learn new techniques for all types of children and challenges.
Mental Health Support Services
Meet our Team: Mercy, Environmental Services Aide
Mercy’s work as an Environmental Services Aide in our Child and Adolescent Inpatient Mental Health program has been known to comfort many of the children, adolescents and teens who come to us for mental health services during times of crisis. “This is just like my house, and I want to do something to make [our patients] feel good,” said Mercy, who has been cleaning patient rooms at Franciscan Children’s for 13 years. “People just need space, love, good communication and a good attitude.”