Behavioral Health

What We Do

In cooperation with community based mental health providers, we evaluate and treat children for behavior concerns and school problems including:



  • Inattention and lack of focus
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

DOES YOUR CHILD NEED A BEHAVIORAL EVALUATION?

  • Assessment tools to complete for children ages 5-12:
    • Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
    • Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
    • Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
    • Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
    • Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
  • Assessment tools to complete for children ages 13-18:
    • Vanderbilt Assessment - Parent Initial
    • Vanderbilt Assessment - Teacher Initial
    • Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) - Parent
    • Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED) – Child
    • Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC)
    • Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9)
    • CRAFFT screening tool
  • Assessment tools used on a case by case basis include:
    • Child Obsessional Compulsive Inventory- Parent and Child (CHOCI)
  • Completing the Assessments
    • You will be directed to complete the Parent Assessments through the patient portal.
    • Your child will be given a portal account so that they can complete their assessments through their private patient portal. 
    • You will be directed to invite your child’s teacher to complete their assessment through the patient portal as well.

Important! All Assessments must be completed before the day of your child’s appointment.

What to Expect at a Behavioral Evaluation

At least one week prior to your appointment, complete assigned assessments noted above. On the day of your child's behavioral evaluation, please arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Ideally, your child should eat a nutritious meal prior to the appointment and be well-rested.

Both you and your child will then meet with the doctor who will perform a thorough assessment and develop a behavioral health management plan for your child. Our providers may recommend additional counseling to best serve your child. 

If the doctor prescribes medication, she will want to follow up with your child within 28 days to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled. Tonya will schedule this appointment with you before you leave the office.

Ongoing Medication Management

After your child's initial evaluation, if medication is started, your child must be seen within 28 days in order to continue the medication. If your child is doing well with his/her medication, subsequent appointments will be scheduled every 3 months. If a medication or dosage change is needed, your child must be seen within 1 month to assess your child's progress and to determine if the medication can be refilled.

Practice News

New California Booster Seat Law Takes Effect in 2027

August 24, 2026
Starting January 1, 2027, California will require children ages 8–16 to pass a "5-step seat belt fit test" in order to ride using only a seat belt, and those who don't pass must continue using a booster seat. The 5-step test checks that the back sits flush against the seat, knees bend comfortably at the seat edge, the shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder (not the neck), the lap belt sits low across the thighs (not the stomach), and the child can maintain this position for the entire ride. Chestnut Pediatrics also reminds parents that many kids need a booster until about 4'9" tall and that children under 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible.