Emotional Health and Wellness Pediatric Services
Improving the lives of children and families impacted by hearing loss. For information contact Jeff Wax, LCSW-R, at 917-305-7739 or jwax@chchearing.org.
​
​Emotional or behavioral difficulties can develop and become apparent as children grow and encounter the world around them. Just as adults experience emotional duress as they respond to the stress and strain of life’s challenges, so do children. However, unlike adults, children often do not have the language to express their emotions. Instead, they may communicate through their behavior.
​​
Teachers, pediatricians, parents or other family members may notice a child’s behaviors that have become concerning. This is when you might want to contact us.
​
​
​​​
​​
Your Child's Journey to Greater Well-Being Begins Here
Our Services
The staff of CHC's Baker Family Emotional Health and Wellness Center is well-versed in the unique issues impacting children with different levels of hearing ability, alongside the characteristic issues all children face as they grow and live through the normative stages of development. We are familiar with concerns that might need additional emotional support.
​
Collaborative - We work collaboratively with other clinical departments here at CHC and, as needed, with school staff to create a holistic approach to meeting each child’s needs.
​Comprehensive - We offer confidential consultations, evaluations and ongoing psychiatric treatment (encompassing therapy and/or medication). Pediatric services include:
​​
-
Individual psychotherapy
-
Family therapy
-
Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
-
Crisis intervention
-
Information and referral
​​​​​​​
​Accessible - We meet with children and families who have various levels of hearing ability and communication styles. All of our counselors are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and will accommodate to the fullest extent in meeting your communication needs (i.e., spoken English, ASL or a mixture of both).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
What You Can Expect
After you contact us, we are available to talk over the phone, over telehealth video platforms or, of course, on site in our offices. We will listen and talk with you. We will gather information to learn what’s happening for your child and understand what might be needed through play and/or talk therapy.
​​
Some children act out with aggression (anger) or become obstinate. Some might be anxious or withdrawn. Some children develop issues with sleeping or eating. Some experience baseline sadness. Many experience cognitive fatigue which is stress due to the constant effort and mental power required for listening.
​​​​​​​These emotional and behavioral reactions can negatively influence academic performance.
​
With our clinical eye, through consultation with parents and play and talk therapy with their children, we work to understand what is driving these behaviors.
​
We are well-versed in common areas of concern such as bullying which can lead to low self-esteem. Children who have different hearing abilities and utilize assistive devices often feel they are between two worlds, the hearing and deaf/hard of hearing. As a result, they may struggle with their identity and fitting in. We recognize the importance of self-awareness in building positive self-esteem and provide strategies of self-advocacy, promoting pride in oneself and one’s uniqueness.
We are here to provide guidance and support toward greater well-being, increased self-awareness and sustained ability to manage emotional life.
Children with differences, such as level of hearing ability, can feel self-conscious, uncomfortable and marginalized, especially in social situations. We work with children/adolescents and their families to help embrace hearing differences and acclimate to assistive technology as a positive part of what makes one unique. This serves to promote positive mental health and a healthy developing sense of self.
Embracing a Child's Uniqueness
Here for You and Your Family
The Emotional Health and Wellness Center is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families that are impacted by hearing loss. We create a therapeutic environment that promotes the most positive emotional development and embedded in the belief that children need to feel respected, valued, able to build trust, love themselves, and feel safe in the world.
​​​
If you have questions or are interested in learning more about our Emotional Health and Wellness Center's Pediatric Services, please contact Director Jeff Wax, LCSW-R, at 917-305-7739 or jwax@chchearing.org.