ABSTRACT
Traditionally, mental health professionals have provided services to children and adolescents in schools, outpatient clinics, and inpatient facilities. However, the field of psychology in the 21st century has emphasized a team health approach to prevent and reduce disease and illness by treating the physical and psychological symptoms of the patient. Mental health providers continue to accept new roles and responsibilities, which allow them to contribute to patient care in medical settings. In recent years, it has been predicted that the field of psychology’s contribution to the prevention, assessment, treatment, and management of chronic and acute illnesses will play a significant role in the future development of the profession as a whole (Levant, Ragusea, Reed, et al., 2001). Thus, the amount and kinds of services provided to children and adolescents in medical settings are on the rise. Medical settings may include primary care physician offices, healthcare clinics, medical hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, as well as school-based healthcare centers. While each of these environments presents benefits and limitations to the provision of services, each is an available resource for professionals seeking to increase the availability of opportunities to impart clinical care to young people in need.
