Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)
Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (TCHATT)
TCHATT is a school-based program that offers mental health services using real-time two-way audio and visual communication between your child and family and a mental health provider through a secure, private connection that has security measures programmed into it. Privacy and safety are our top priorities before we go to a school. We make sure each school we work with has a safe and confidential space for students so their conversation cannot be overheard. Ideally, the school has a space that an adult can walk by and look in to make sure your child is safe.
Schools refer children to TCHATT after parent(s)/caregiver(s) sign consent forms that say it is okay for them to make the call.
To find out if your child's school has access to TCHATT you can ask the school counselor or call 844-856-6926.
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Some of the reasons students get referred to TCHATT:
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Changes in appetite
- Easily frustrated
- Fear of going to school
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Mood changes
- Out of-control behavior
- Sadness
- Self harm or talking about hurting themselves
- Depression
- Sleeping a lot or not being able to sleep
- The impacts of bullying
- Unable to focus
- Withdrawing from friends
Some of the Benefits of TCHATT:
Services are free of charge.
Your child can access virtual therapy sessions at no cost to the school or to your family.
Services are provided by people with experience in children's mental health.
Your child and family have access to staff who are trained to work with youth and their families. This includes child and adolescent psychiatrists who are doctors that can help assess your child's need for on-going treatment.
Services are available to elementary, middle school and high school students.
Children from kindergarten through high school have access to services - if their school is involved in TCHATT. We hope to identify your child's needs early - so they can get help before problems get too severe.
When TCHATT services have ended, you have access to a range of other services to support your child's health and wellbeing.
We know that helping children often takes a village. TCHATT goes beyond your child’s virtual therapy sessions and offers support through:
- Counselors, teachers, administrators and staff at your child’s school. We can train people at your child’s school about children's mental health and how to seek help. If you give us permission, we can give the school counselor a general overview of your child’s progress without sharing sensitive information. This helps your child’s school know how they can support your child’s needs.
- Our TCHATT Clinicians are all licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LPC-A, LMSW). TCHATT Clinicians are assigned to certain school districts to develop relationships with families and counselors. They are also here for you - to answer questions or discuss concerns with you and your child.
- We know how much your child means to you and we want to support you. If a parent you know recommends a therapist in our program, we will do our best to make sure your child gets paired with that therapist. We can also work with the behavioral health provider at your home clinic, if that makes it easier for you.
How to access TCHATT
We need your permission for your child to use this service; your student’s counselor will provide links to online consent forms, or paper copies if that’s more convenient for you. We also want to keep you in the loop about your child’s care. We’ll offer parenting solutions to support your child’s mental health at home and provide you with consistent updates.
You can also join sessions. In most cases, you don’t need to travel to an office and your child doesn’t need to leave school. You can also sign a digital consent form and access ongoing follow-up care to make sure your child continues to make progress.
Please check if your student’s campus participates at: https://tcmhcc.utsystem.edu/tchatt/
What we do
First, we meet with you and your child to ask questions and identify their needs. This may involve filling out forms so we have a better idea about what is going on and why the TCHATT referral was made. Afterward, we offer short-term counseling, called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which focuses on helping your child come up with new ways to cope with their emotional struggles. Offering telebehavioral health at your child’s school means they don't have to leave campus to access services.
Youth today are comfortable with technology. They use it to relate to and communicate with one another every day, so it can make your child feel safe in a therapy context.
Technology can also give your child a sense of control over their environment. Having control over how much of their face is visible during those tougher conversations can empower your child in a positive way, especially during tough conversations.
Some of the reasons TCHATT may not be a good fit:
Telebehavioral health is a wonderful resource, but it may not be for everyone. Some children's needs may require more immediate, emergency or crisis services. Examples include if your child is:
- Experiencing hallucinations
- Needing a provider who can prescribe medications for their behavioral health needs
- Whose safety is compromised by their mental health
- Whose mental health compromises the safety of those around them
- Lack maturity to complete a virtual therapy session
- History of severe trauma
If your child is in a mental health crisis, please call 911
Meet the Care Team
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Jason Isham, LMFT, CCM Sr. Director of Integrated Behavioral Health -
Elizabeth Widtfeldt, LPC Director, Behavioral Health -
Melina Acosta, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
Esmirna Corona, LCSW-S Sr. Behavioral Health Care Manager -
Ambar Fuentes, LPC TCHATT Clinician -
Diana Johnson, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
Kelly Merendon, LPC Sr. Behavioral Health Care Manager -
Heather Newby, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
Maria Ramirez, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
CRCleveland Robinson, LPC TCHATT Clinician
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Tim Shreve, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
Suzanne Stephens, LCSW TCHATT Clinician -
Trinity Ward, LPC TCHATT Clinician -
Sydni Shorter, MS Psychology Trainee -
Diego Zarate, MS Psychology Trainee -
Llurisel Tamez, MBA Manager Behavioral Health Access and Case Coordination -
Adriana Diaz Care Assistant -
Estela Sanchez Care Assistant -
Mayrani Velazquez, MBA Manager, Behavioral Health Stakeholder Engagement -
Karen Alvarado Outreach Coordinator -
Stephen Fauss Outreach Coordinator -
Mark Harbec, CHW Outreach Coordinator -
Will Nixon Sr Enterprise App Analyst