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Behavioral Health Glossary
We know an initial journey into the behavioral health world can come with a whole new vocabulary and lots of unfamiliar words and phrases. We’ve tried to simplify some of this in other areas on our site, and for additional support and reference as you navigate the system, we’ve provided this list of commonly used terms and what they refer to.
A school plan that provides accommodations (extra help and support) for students with physical or mental health needs who don’t qualify for special education through an IEP.
A phone number that you can text or call any time, 24/7 for a crisis or immediate help with mental health problems.
Stressful or traumatic things that happen to kids in childhood that can impact their health, emotions, and behaviors.
In Washington, kids 13 and older can agree to or refuse their own outpatient mental health and substance use treatment.
A legal process where parents ask the court for help when they are struggling to manage their child’s behaviors and keep them safe.
A Washington law that talks about truancy, at-risk youth petitions, and child-in-need-of services petitions – to try to keep kids safe and in school when possible.
A term to talk about kids’ emotional, behavioral, and relational wellbeing. Behavioral health services address both mental health and substance use challenges.
A written plan created by a school that explains how staff and teachers will respond to challenging or problematic behaviors.
When a child has a mental health crisis and has to stay in the emergency room at the hospital to keep them safe until appropriate mental health treatment is available for them.
An assessment tool that is used to identify a child’s needs and strengths (both positive and negative areas) in order to help providers plan for their treatment.
A provider who helps families get connected with the different services and support they need.
A legal request for the court to get involved if a child needs services or needs to live away from their home.
A state agency that responds to reports of child abuse or neglect.
Washington State’s most intensive, long-term psychiatric treatment program for youth.
A situation where a child’s safety or the safety of someone around them is at serious, immediate risk.
A provider in Washington who can assess someone in crisis and decide if they need to be placed in an involuntary treatment program.
When a child is behind their peers in skills like talking, moving, or building relationships with others.
A long-term condition or diagnosis that affects the way kids learn, grow, and mature. This can include things like autism, intellectual disabilities, or cerebral palsy (as well as many others).
The name of a mental health or medical condition that providers use. A diagnosis is often needed for insurance providers and to see if kids qualify for certain services. It can also be helpful to see what types of treatment are likely to help your child.
A condition that makes it more challenging for kids to do certain things, learn new information, or interact with the world around them.
The official book used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental health conditions. It includes lists of symptoms and descriptions of different diagnoses.
Someone who helps families understand and navigate school systems, special education, or alternative school placements.
Regional offices in Washington that support school districts with special education, training, and sometimes mental health resources.
The requirements someone has to meet to qualify for certain services, placements, or accommodations.
A special education category in schools for kids whose emotional or behavioral problems impact the way they learn.
A short-term mental health facility where people can stay when they are in crisis until they start to stabilize.
Therapy that has been proven by research to help for certain mental health problems.
An alternative program for kids that are arrested because of conflict in their families. FIRS offers mental health support and medication if needed instead of detention and arrest.
Services offered by the state to help families resolve conflict and allow kids to continue living at home.
A law in Washington that lets parents bring their adolescent child into mental health treatment even if their child doesn’t provide consent
A federal law that protects the privacy of your child’s school records. Under FERPA, parents have the right to see and control who can access their child’s educational information.
Local groups of families, providers, and teenagers that work together to improve mental health services in Washington.
An evaluation done to understand why a child acts a certain way and how to help them (often in schools).
When a person has a hard time doing things in their daily life because of a mental health diagnosis. Usually some kind of impairment is needed to make a diagnosis – the symptoms have to cause a problem for a child in some way.
When a person can’t take care of themselves and meet their basic needs because of a mental health problem.
A Washington group of parents and advocates that are working to improve access to behavioral health services in the state.
A federal law that protects the privacy of health records. There are some exceptions to HIPAA when providers can share some information about your child’s mental health: these are usually in situations where someone is being hurt or is in danger, and in some legal cases as well.
A program in Washington that provides short-term, in-home services to families that are at risk of having a child placed out of the home.
A federal law that makes sure students with disabilities get special education services.
A plan developed for students in school to provide extra services when they qualify for special education. It is a legal document that includes learning goals and kids usually do some testing to qualify for the IEP and track their progress.
When a provider explains the options and terms of a treatment, and the parent or youth agrees (usually by signing a form). In Washington, kids 13 and older can often give their own informed consent for behavioral health care.
A program where a child stays overnight and lives at the facility while they are getting mental health treatment (see also: Residential Treatment).
A law in Washington that allows people to be put in the hospital for mental health care without their consent if they are a danger to themselves or other people, or if they are gravely disabled (see also: Gravely Disabled)
The part of the legal system that deals with kids and teenagers who break the law.
An extended family member or friend who takes care of a child when their parents aren’t able to.
When providers like therapists or doctors are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS). (see also: Child Protective Services)
Washington’s public health insurance program for kids and families with lower income. It covers many mental health services at no cost to families.
A term used by insurance companies to decide if a child needs a treatment and should be covered by insurance. Often your providers have to provide documents and written explanations to show that your child meets medical necessity for treatment.
Mental health refers to well-being in terms of feelings, the way people think, and the way they interact with others. Mental illness is something that is diagnosed and causes problems in the way kids think, feel, or build relationships.
Care that involves a team of multiple different types of professionals (such as therapists, doctors, and schools) that work together to help a child get better.
Putting a student with special needs in a different school program outside the district, though this placement is paid for by the school district.
Putting a student with special needs in a residential program outside of the state, because local options aren’t available to meet their needs.
Mental health services that kids get while they are living at home (like therapy or seeing a doctor or psychiatrist) .
A program where kids get intensive treatment for mental health problems during the day but continue to live at home.
Someone who has been through their own mental health challenges (or who has been a caregiver for a child with mental health challenges) who supports families or kids.
When insurance companies ask providers to explain why a child needs certain services before a child can receive those services and support.
Positive things that make it less likely that kids will develop mental illness, or make it more likely that they will recover faster. These can include things like loving caregivers, safe housing, access to resources, and good schools.
A medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and can prescribe medication for mental illness.
A mental/behavioral health part of a medical hospital
Testing done by a psychologist to understand more about a child’s learning, emotions, and behaviors. This is often done for things like ADHD, autism, and intellectual disabilities.
A provider who has a doctorate degree and can do psychological testing, diagnose mental health conditions, and provide therapy, but usually cannot prescribe medication.
A program where a child stays overnight and lives at the facility for weeks or months while they are getting mental health treatment (see also: Inpatient Treatment Center).
A Washington law that allows people with substance use problems to be put into treatment without their consent if they are a danger to themselves or other people.
A written plan that helps kids and families know what to do in a crisis or when a child feels unsafe or overwhelmed.
A mental health condition in kids that is chronic and serious enough to cause problems at school, home, or in the community. This is a legal term and can qualify kids for certain types of support at school.
Things in life (like housing situations, access to food, access to care, community support, etc.) that can affect the mental and physical health of kids.
Extra teaching, different classes, or services provided at a school to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
A problem someone experiences as a result of an illness or diagnosis. For example, a child’s diagnosis could be anxiety and their symptoms could include things like restlessness, racing heart beat, and trouble sleeping.
A Washington court case that caused the state to increase community-based mental health and wraparound services for children with serious needs.
A private school that kids live at while they do schoolwork and mental health therapy.
Foster homes with trained caregivers that provide extra support and care for children with significant behavioral health needs.
A provider who offers counseling or therapy to help with mental health problems.
Something people experience that is scary, unsafe, or life-threatening.
Therapy that pays attention to how trauma impacts the way kids behave and feel and helps them heal after experiencing trauma.
A team approach in Washington that brings in family members, providers, and other support systems to help children with severe behavioral health concerns.
Short-term programs in Washington where kids who are struggling can stay at a treatment center until they start to feel better and stabilize.