Around 20 percent of youth in the United States experience a mental, emotional, developmental or behavioral disorder between the ages of 3 and 17. This data shows the crucial role of pediatric psychosocial care in supporting the overall well-being of children and adolescents facing health challenges.
What does psychosocial mean?
- Psychological growth and interpersonal interactions of individuals within their social environment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness-New Hampshire.
What is pediatric psychosocial care?
- Pediatric psychosocial care emphasizes equipping future youth-serving professionals with a distinct set of research and practice skills to comprehend and address the psychosocial needs of children and families facing special healthcare needs.
The dynamic nature of the pediatric psychosocial care field requires constant innovation to effectively meet the changing needs of young patients and their families. To stay ahead, professionals must be open to embracing new strategies and approaches, ensuring the best outcomes for those they serve.
The Current Landscape of Developmental Pediatric Care
In pediatrics, a comprehensive approach to psychosocial care is essential. This encompasses trauma-informed care, patient-and-family-centered care, social and emotional support and mental health services tailored to meet pediatric patients’ unique needs.
Integrating trauma-informed care with patient-and-family-centered care highlights a shift toward prioritizing patient and family perspectives in healthcare and school experiences. Conversations around these topics have become more relevant as they aim to enhance mental and behavioral health outcomes for children and adolescents.
A critical aspect of current pediatric care practices involves addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on children’s well-being. ACEs can result in toxic trauma that affects children’s physical health and psychosocial and behavioral development. The consequences of ACEs are far-reaching and lead to challenges in education, social interactions and physical and mental health.
As the education landscape evolves, early childhood educators have seen an increase in student mental health issues. However, mental health professionals have recently seen small yet significant improvements due to conversations on the national and school levels. These improvements emphasize both the benefit of and the continued need for proactive and tailored approaches to mental health support in educational environments.
Emerging Trends in Strengthening Youth Mental Wellness
Patient- and family-centered care principles and technology advancements contribute to innovative approaches that strengthen youth mental wellness.
Patient-Centered Care
The evolving pediatric care landscape shows a shift toward tailored, patient-centered care models that consider the unique needs of each child and family. For example, patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) is grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among providers, patients and families through four core concepts:
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Respect and dignity: acknowledging and respecting the perspectives and choices of families and patients, integrating their knowledge and values into care planning
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Information exchange: ensuring transparent communication by sharing comprehensive and unbiased information with patients and families in a constructive and supportive manner, empowering them to participate in care and decision-making
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Engagement: encouraging and assisting patients and families in actively engaging in care and decision-making processes at various levels
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Partnership: collaborating with patients, families, healthcare professionals and leaders in policy development, program implementation, facility design, education, research and care delivery to foster a unified approach to care
Technology
Additionally, technology continues to transform the way healthcare services are provided. Telehealth services, mobile health apps and virtual reality therapies have opened new avenues for care delivery in young patients. These innovative and convenient solutions enhance access to mental health support and interventions.
Early Intervention and Preventative Care
Another emerging trend in strengthening youth mental wellness is the growing emphasis on early intervention and preventative care. This aligns with the foundation of applied developmental science, which is grounded in implementing proactive measures rather than remediation.
An example of early intervention and preventative care is seen in the way school counselors support youth. These professionals support youth’s emotional well-being and positive development, addressing psychosocial issues before they escalate. Their goal is to empower students to navigate challenges and build resilience.
Cutting-Edge Approaches and Pediatric Therapies
In the realm of pediatric psychosocial care, the integration of innovative therapeutic approaches designed to cater uniquely to children’s mental and emotional well-being is becoming more common. These practices, offer strategies to manage stress, anxiety and emotional regulation, contributing to a holistic approach to supporting young individuals’ mental health.
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Art therapy uses active art-making, the creative process and applied psychological theory to enrich the lives of individuals.
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Play therapy harnesses the therapeutic powers of play while achieving optimal growth and development.
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Animal-assisted therapy incorporates animals that meet specific criteria, such as horses, dogs, cats and birds into treatment. Animal-assisted interventions in particular have garnered attention for their positive impact on children’s mental health.
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Mindfulness practices tailored to children and adolescents are emerging as effective tools to promote mental wellness and adaptability in pediatric care settings.
Peabody College Faculty Research in Animal-Assisted Pediatric Therapy
At Vanderbilt Peabody College, Professor Jessika Boles, of the Department of Psychology and Human Development, has various research interests related to the field.
Specifically, she researches the impact of facility dog intervention during children’s non-sedate echocardiograms, the efficacy of play-based preparation for children undergoing non-sedate MRI scans and patient- and family-centered interventions and outcomes in pediatric intensive care and pediatric medical complexity.
Connecting the Future of Pediatric Developmental Care to Peabody's Degrees in Child Studies and School Counseling
Vanderbilt University Peabody College of education and human development prepares future leaders and professionals like you to create positive change in child development with the support of world-renowned faculty known for their pinnacle research in the field.
M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling: School Counseling Track
The M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling: School Counseling Track prepares you for a rewarding counseling career in education.
Through 51 credit hours of core courses, 9 credit hours of electives and a full-year internship experience, you will learn how to create developmentally appropriate programming to guide students’ emotional well-being and lay the foundation for academic success.
M.Ed. in Child Studies: Applied Professional Track
The M.Ed. in Child Studies: Applied Professional Track prepares you to work directly or indirectly with children, adolescents and families in roles outside the classroom.
For those interested in a child life specialist certification, ACLP-required coursework may be completed in the program along with the completion of a 100-hour hospital-based child life practicum program in the Nashville community. Specialization in applied behavior analysis is also an option within the Applied Professional Track.
Students enrolled in the M.Ed. in Human Development Counseling: School Counseling Track and the M.Ed. in Child Studies: Applied Professional Track can also obtain the Certificate in Pediatric Psychosocial Care. Enrolling in this certificate program provides several benefits outlined below.
Certificate in Pediatric Psychosocial Care
The 12-credit hour Certificate in Pediatric Psychosocial Care will equip you with the foundational knowledge of the child life profession along with skills relevant to studying and meeting the psychosocial needs of children and families facing healthcare challenges:
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Understanding the diverse psychosocial and developmental needs of children, adolescents, and families in healthcare environments
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Conducting healthcare-related research with children and their families to improve pediatric care experiences
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Recognizing class and post-modern theories of loss and grief and examining evidence-based interventions for supporting grieving children and families
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This certificate supplements enrollment in a master's or doctoral degree program at Vanderbilt University. To enroll in a certificate program, students must consult with their program director to determine if certificates can be completed within the requirements of their individual degree program.
Regardless of your desired path, Peabody College will prepare you to make a lasting impact on the well-being of children and families in healthcare settings. Whether you are drawn to school counseling or applied child studies, you will emerge as a compassionate and skilled professional ready to tackle your patient’s complex needs.
Not sure which program is right for you? Take our quiz to find out how your passions align with our programs!
