Taking The First Step: Behavioral Health Triage Services at Teen Health Connection
Behavioral Health Triage Clinicians play a vital role in helping teens and families navigate behavioral health challenges. At Teen Health Connection, our Behavioral Health Triage Clinicians are available to meet with teens and families during medical visits. They also serve as the first point of contact when our team receives calls regarding behavioral health services. Through brief assessment and intervention, education, and resource coordination, they help ensure that every teen has access to the support and services needed to thrive. Whether connecting a family to therapy, providing guidance to prevent a crisis, or helping navigate community resources, Triage Clinicians are often the first step in a teen’s journey toward improved behavioral health and well-being.
What do Behavioral Health Triage Clinicians do?
Behavioral Health Triage Clinicians serve as a bridge between teens, families, medical providers, and behavioral health services. They assess patients’ emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs, provide brief intervention and psychoeducation, and help identify the most appropriate level of care. As members of a multidisciplinary healthcare team, they collaborate with medical providers, families, schools, and community organizations to ensure teens receive timely access to behavioral health support and resources. They also assist with care coordination, and connecting teens with ongoing services that support their overall well-being.
What services do they provide?
Behavioral Health Triage Clinicians help teens and families understand mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, disordered eating, substance use, and other emotional or behavioral challenges. Clinicians also provide education about available treatment options, connect teens with therapy and psychiatric services, and help families navigate community resources that support their unique needs.
What can teens and families expect when they call 704-381-8379?
When teens and families call, they can expect to speak with a licensed behavioral health clinician who will listen to their concerns and help determine what support may be most beneficial. The clinician will ask questions to better understand the teen’s situation, current symptoms, safety concerns, and goals for treatment. Families can expect a nonjudgmental and supportive conversation focused on identifying needs, answering questions, and exploring available options for care. The goal is to ensure that every teen and family receives guidance, support, and connections to the resources that best fit their circumstances.
How do Triage Clinicians connect teens and families with additional resources and services?
Triage Clinicians work closely with families, healthcare providers, schools, and community agencies to identify and coordinate appropriate services. Depending on a teen’s needs, clinicians may provide referrals to outpatient therapists, psychiatrists, specialty treatment programs, higher levels of care, support groups, parenting programs, crisis resources, school-based supports, or community organizations. They also help families navigate barriers to treatment, such as insurance concerns, transportation challenges, or difficulties accessing services. By collaborating with community partners and providing ongoing care coordination, Triage Clinicians help ensure that teens and families are connected to the right support at the right time.
Chanda Scott, LCMHC
Timothy Smith, LCSW
