CHARIS Cares
Giving Grace, Kindness And Life To The Next Generation.
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(L-R) Top Row: Chris Covington, Kathy Edwards and Tanner Stephens Middle: Allison Schumacher, Britney Nobles, Laken Pak and Brenda Hendrix-Smith Bottom: Dr. Jana MacKay, Carolyn Taluja, Elizabeth Kailey and Courtney Wright
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Matt Hooten, Executive Director
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Call us to schedule a free assessment!
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Group therapies are provided by Allison Schumacher, LMSW and other licensed counselors
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Laken Pak, Education Coordinator
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Carolyn Taluja leads daily yoga classes
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Kathy Edwards
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I cannot speak highly enough about the professionals running this facility. From the first phone call all the way through your discharge plan, you will be taken care of. — Whitney R.
Approximately one in five children will experience severe mental health issues at least once during their childhoods, according to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. Those issues include severe depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, school failure, complicated grief and unresolved trauma, all of which can hinder a child’s health and emotional well-being. That’s why Charis Behavioral Health is here to help.
Charis is a safe place dedicated to healing and helping children ages 10-17 overcome any mental, emotional or behavioral challenges that cause struggle and life disruptions. Utilizing evidence-based, research-driven treatment modalities, Charis prioritizes the child’s well-being within a therapeutic and inclusive environment. Charis has a robust multidisciplinary team that includes licensed health care professionals, a board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrist, nurse practitioners and therapists that provide mental health care within a combination of specialty, intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) to fit the child’s specific needs.
Charis understands that when a child is struggling, the family is struggling. That’s why its team members aspire to facilitate change by getting to the heart of a child's behavioral issues and help- ing them achieve stability at home, in school and in their relationships.
Led by executive director and licensed professional counselor Matt Hooten, Charis is committed to exemplary customer service at every corner of its center. As the front office coordinator, Britney Nobles is the first point of contact and handles intake, admissions and welcomes new clients to the center. Once they’re through the
front door, Dr. Tae Lee and nurse Kathy Edwards provide comprehensive consultations that include bloodwork, sleep evaluations and medication management. Dr. Jana Mackay’s psychological evaluations give great insight and are very helpful for treatment planning. Program specialist Allison Schumacher meets kids where they are to make them feel seen while also holding them accountable to their treatment goals. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about your child running behind in school — education coordinator Laken Pak works with local school districts to ensure students finish their classwork while teaching coping strategies and stabilizing mental health symptoms.
As a family therapist with over 40 years of experience, clinical consultant Brenda Hendrix-Smith knows that children sometimes need more intensive treatment. That’s why she appreciates family program specialist Elizabeth Kailey working directly with families for Charis@ Home, an at-home program that centers care around the entire family. Yoga instructor Carolyn Taluja helps them tap into their inner selves through mindful meditation practices. Chris Covington helps patients disconnect from everyday life and realign themselves in an off-site ranch through the Charis Unplugged program. Together with the support of therapy dogs, horses, goats and many other furry and feathered friends, kids can hit the pause button and find serenity within themselves and nature.
Charis’ care doesn’t end at discharge. Once they complete their PHP or IOP care, patients are automatically enrolled in Charis’ aftercare support group, which is provided free of charge. Patient care advocate Ramiro Edgar Reta looks forward to a year full of all-new alumni events, as well as January’s therapeutic activity that has members create a vision board to set goals for 2024.
Child and adolescent mental health is an issue that every community faces in one way or another — that’s why helping kids to stop suffering in silence is at the forefront of Charis’ care and convictions. Three years after opening in Southlake, Charis has helped over 200 children improve their mental and emotional health so they can live happier and fuller lives. With its care rooted in grace, kindness and life, you can trust that every child will be seen, heard and known at Charis Behavioral Health.
At A Glance:
- IOP and PHP programs to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma and behavioral issues
- Small group sizes of 6-8 patients ages 10-17
- A therapist-to-child ratio of 1:3
- Psychological assessments performed by certified psychologists
- Compulsory weekly family counseling programs
- Ranch-day weekly visits with equine therapy
