Behavioral Pediatrics
Children’s behavioral health plays a crucial role in their overall well-being, yet millions of children go without needed mental health support.
Research shows that half of the 7.7 million U.S. children with a treatable mental health disorder do not receive care from a mental health professional (Whitney & Peterson, JAMA Pediatrics, 2019). At Wildflower Pediatric Psychology, our Behavioral Pediatrics service provides families with a trusted, long-term behavioral health home—offering early detection, expert guidance, and evidence-based strategies to support children through every stage of development.
What is Behavioral Pediatrics?
Behavioral Pediatrics focuses on preventing and addressing common behavioral health concerns before they become significant challenges. This service provides:
Regularly scheduled behavioral health checkups every 1, 3, 6, or 12 months (similar to well-child visits), with frequency of appointments depending on the family’s unique needs and preferences.
As-needed appointments for acute concerns (similar to pediatric sick visits).
Ongoing access to expert guidance through brief scheduled calls, appointments, and/or secure portal messaging.
Sessions range from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on your child’s needs. Quick questions can be addressed free of charge through secure portal messaging, within two business days.
Behavioral Pediatrics
Behavioral Pediatrics helps families navigate the everyday challenges of childhood and adolescence with evidence-based strategies. Common behavioral challenges we address include:
Infancy & Toddlerhood
Sleep routines & transitions
Separation anxiety
Cooperation with brushing teeth, toilet training, and other health/hygiene practices
Weaning from breastfeeding, bottles, or pacifiers
Managing tantrums, including those that involve hurting self or others
Early communication delays
Sibling issues, such as preparing for a new sibling and ‘sibling rivalry’
Early Childhood
Effective discipline strategies
Emotional regulation skills
School avoidance & anxiety
Concerns about early academic performance
Social anxiety & peer interactions
Sibling issues, such as preparing for a new sibling and ‘sibling rivalry’
Middle & High School
Bullying, self-esteem, & motivation
Rule-breaking, substance use, & risk-taking behaviors
Early detection of concerning patterns
Perfectionism and compulsive tendencies
Who Can Enroll?
Children can start services as early as 6–9 months old or as ‘late’ as older adolescence, regardless of diagnosis or behavioral/mental health history.
Early enrollment (e.g., infancy - early childhood) is encouraged, especially if there are developmental/behavioral risk factors, such as when an older infant, toddler, or young child has an older sibling with developmental disabilities or behavioral health challenges.
Multiple siblings can participate within a family.
There are no “wrong” questions in parenting—our goal is to provide a safe and comfortable space for you to seek expert guidance, whatever the question, tailored to your child’s needs at every stage.
Next Steps:
If you're interested in Behavioral Pediatrics, the first step is scheduling a free 20-minute consultation to:
Discuss your child’s history, your family structure, and the kind of support you are seeking.
Answer your questions about enrollment and next steps.
If you decide to move forward, we’ll schedule your Onboarding Appointment, where we will:
Complete informed consent.
Schedule your child’s first behavioral health checkup.
Finalize payment details.