Posts by The REACH Institute
Adolescent Cannabis Use and Harm Reduction
“We know that 10% of adult cannabis users will develop a substance use disorder or addiction. That number is double in adolescents,” explains child and adolescent psychiatrist Blair Ritchie, MD FRCPC, when describing one of the many research-documented risks of youth cannabis use. Cannabis is increasingly seen as socially acceptable and low risk. In the…
Read MoreHow Clinicians Can Partner with Schools to Support Pediatric Patients
“Clinicians who are aware of and know how to direct parents to obtain services for children within the school system can make an enormous difference for patients and families,” explains Dr. Mark Wolraich, MD, a REACH faculty member and retired professor of pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The challenge for clinicians…
Read MoreAdult Behavioral Health in Primary Care
This innovative program increases clinicians’ comfort with assessing, diagnosing, and treating adult mental health concerns. Participants can earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by completing the mini-fellowship components: (a) A dynamic three-day course, followed by (b) eight case-based, group learning calls. Read more about the course here…
Read MoreSpotting OCD in Pediatric Patients
“Even among skilled clinicians, misconceptions about obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD can delay diagnosis and treatment,” explains Carla E. Marin, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and Assistant Professor at Yale School of Medicine. With common sayings like “we’re all a little OCD” and representations of OCD that center on germs and handwashing, getting a clear picture of…
Read MoreWhy Clinicians Should Consider Coding by Time for Mental Health Care
“Many primary care providers are still coding by medical decision-making for mental health care,” explains Eugene Hershorin, MD, a REACH faculty member and medical coding expert. “However, time-based coding is both easier and often results in higher coding levels and therefore higher payment rates, especially for pediatric patients who require ongoing care for mental health…
Read MoreADHD and Racial Disparities: What Clinicians Can Do
“When a parent of color raises concerns about their child’s behavior, clinicians should always stop to assess for underlying disorders,” explains child and adolescent psychiatrist Brittainy Erby, MD. “I see many children and adolescents of color who have been diagnosed with a behavior disorder, but they actually have untreated ADHD.” The research reinforces what Dr.…
Read MoreWhen Adolescent Patients Transition to College: The Provider’s Role
“Any transition is a time that our patients can trip and fall,” explains Tina Nicholson, MD, a family doctor specializing in children and youth mental health. The transition to college, especially if it involves moving away from home, is no exception. To understand how providers can help adolescents navigate this transition, we spoke with REACH…
Read MoreIs it autism, or something else?
With Autism Spectrum Disorder, early screening and intervention are essential—with diagnosis ideally made in early childhood. But as shared in our recent article about how autism may present at different ages, less severe cases may not be detected until children are school-aged or adolescents, especially among girls. We asked REACH faculty member Ron Marino, DO/MPH,…
Read MorePPP Training Program – virtual CT schedule: Nov 2025
The Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) Mini-Fellowship increases clinicians’ comfort with assessing, diagnosing, and treating pediatric mental health concerns. Participants can earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by completing the mini-fellowship components: (a) A dynamic three-day course, followed by (b) eight case-based, group learning calls. Read more about the course here…
Read MorePPP Training Program – virtual CT schedule: Feb 2026
The Patient-Centered Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care (PPP) Mini-Fellowship increases clinicians’ comfort with assessing, diagnosing, and treating pediatric mental health concerns. Participants can earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ by completing the mini-fellowship components: (a) A dynamic three-day course, followed by (b) eight case-based, group learning calls. Read more about the course here…
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