Approaches to Serious Emotional Disturbance: Involving Multiple Systems.
Abstract
Practice with children who have serious emotional disturbance (SED) increasingly requires multiple-systems intervention. Through a sample case, this article explores these interventions within the context of current national policy. Mental health collaboration with the systems of juvenile justice, education, child welfare, primary health care, and drug and alcohol services is summarized. The specific programs of multisystemic therapy, Pennsylvania's family-based mental health services, and Wraparound Milwaukee are presented as multiple-systems approaches that are successful with this population. The authors offer suggestions for emerging roles for psychologists within this context.
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CSHCN, especially those with mental health needs, often receive care from multiple service sectors.
“CSHCN, especially those with mental health needs, also often receive care from multiple service sectors (e.g., public health, schools, health systems) to address their complex health or behavioral health concerns”
From Adequate Care Coordination is Associated with Reduced Unmet Mental Health Needs for Children (2026) · cites this paper as Hansen et al., 2004
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- Authors
- Hansen, M., Litzelman, A., Marsh, D. T., & Milspaw, A.
- Affiliations
- Pennsylvania State University (US)
- University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (US)
- Chestnut Hill College (US)
- Venue
- Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
- Published
- 2004-10
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 457-465
- ISSN
- 0735-7028 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1323
- OpenAlex
- W2025540328
- Cited by
- 28
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 7.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Professional Psychology Research and Practice (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- serious emotional disturbance, multisystemic therapy, wraparound services, juvenile justice, child welfare, school-based mental health services, primary care, drug and alcohol services, mental health policy, psychologist role, emotionally disturbed children
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