Interactive Mobile Parent and Child Therapy (IMPACT)

If you have a young child who is struggling with trauma, anxiety, behavioral issues, or a mood disorder, you are not alone. We are here to help.

UPMC’s Interactive Mobile Parent and Child Therapy (IMPACT) program supports young children and their families. Our therapists bring care directly to places where children feel safe — like your home, your child’s school, or other community settings.

We work closely with you and your child to understand what is going on and create a plan that supports your child’s emotional well-being and healthy development. 

What Is IMPACT?

The IMPACT mobile therapy program provides specialized early childhood mental health services to children and families across Allegheny County.

Instead of asking families to come to an office, our therapists meet children in places they know and trust. This might be your home or another community location, such as your child’s school.

Being in a familiar place helps children feel more comfortable and open to learning new skills.

Our therapists provide:

• Guidance and consultation for families and caregivers.
• Mental health support.
• Trauma-informed therapy.

Who Is Eligible for IMPACT?

IMPACT is designed for children up to age 12 and their families or caregivers in Allegheny County.

The program is for children who receive medical assistance and meet the criteria for intensive behavioral health services.

Mobile therapy may help children who are experiencing any of the following:

• Early signs of being at risk for significant emotional and behavioral issues.
• Instability or stress in the home/family environment
• Ongoing emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Trauma or stressful life experiences.

What Services Are Offered Through IMPACT?

We provide personalized care to help children understand their feelings, build coping skills, and improve behavior.

Our work focuses on each child’s strengths and supports the whole family. Our treatments are geared toward interventions that address the challenges of trauma, emotional distress, parent-child relationships, and overall mental health wellness.

Our services may include:

• Child-parent (dyadic) psychotherapy.
• Coordination of care.
• Comprehensive assessment.
• Individual play therapy.
• Individual treatment planning.
• Safety planning.

How Does Treatment Work?

We use different therapeutic approaches depending on your child’s needs. Our services are:

• Age-appropriate.
• Family- and child-focused.
• Interactive and collaborative.

Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process.

Treatment strategies

Treatment strategies may include any of the following:

• Child-centered play therapy — Therapists may use play to help your child express emotions and solve problems.
• Classroom-based treatment — A mobile therapist may work with your child in the classroom to practice skills such as social problem-solving, impulse management, and interacting with peers.
• Individualized behavior plans — We may complete a behavioral assessment and create a plan to support your child at home and in school settings.
• Parent-child (dyadic) psychotherapy — The therapist works with both you and your child together. The goal is to strengthen your relationship and improve how you communicate and respond to each other.
• Parent consultation — The therapist works with parents to develop basic behavioral strategies to address their child’s specific behavioral issues.
• Parent education sessions — Parents learn helpful tools and approaches that support healthy development and positive parenting.

What is play therapy?

Young children often communicate best through play.

In play therapy, therapists use toys, games, art, puppets, and other creative activities to help children express their feelings and work through challenges.

There are 5 stages of play therapy. They are designed to guide a child from initial caution to emotional healing and, finally, to independence.

These recognized stages are:

• Dependency — Building trust and relying more on the therapist for support.
• Exploratory — Becoming familiar with the room and toys.
• Testing — Testing boundaries to ensure safety.
• Termination — Saying goodbye after growing in confidence and independence.
• Therapeutic growth — Working through emotions and developing coping skills.

What is dyadic therapy?

Dyadic therapy focuses on the relationship between a parent and child. It is a form of family therapy where you and your child are treated together.

During sessions, the therapist helps guide interactions between you and your child. They may coach you during activities or observe and offer feedback.

This approach helps families:

• Build stronger connections.
• Develop more positive ways to respond to behavior.
• Improve communication.

Over time, these changes can support your child’s emotional health and behavior.

Need care for yourself or someone you love? Contact Us.

For a mental health emergency, call 988.

For an appointment near you, call Western Behavioral Health’s main phone number at 1-877-624-4100 or 412-624-1000.

UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital
3811 O’Hara St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Call 412-624-1000 or toll free 1-877-624-4100.

Are you a resident of Allegheny County and in crisis?

Call our resolve Crisis Services at 1-888-796-8226. It’s free and open 24/7.

Or go to the resolve Crisis Services walk-in clinic:

333 North Braddock Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide or self-harm:

Text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or call 800-273-8255.

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