Supporting Texas Youth: Behavioral Health Services That Make a Difference

When a child is struggling emotionally or behaviorally, it affects the whole family. At Effect Therapy Community Support Services, we understand how confusing and overwhelming it can be to know where to start. The good news? You’re not alone — and help is available.

The Mental Health Needs of Texas Youth

Texas is home to over 7 million children. According to recent data:

Nearly 1 in 3 Texas children experience a behavioral or emotional challenge.
Over 60% of those youth are not receiving adequate treatment.
Depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioral disorders are the most commonly reported conditions.
Many children go undiagnosed due to stigma, lack of access, or simply not knowing what signs to look for.

How to Know If Your Child Might Need Help

Every child has rough days. But if your child shows consistent signs of distress or behavior changes that last more than a few weeks, it may be time to seek support. Signs include:

Withdrawal or extreme mood swings
Frequent meltdowns, aggression, or acting out
Trouble focusing or sudden drop in grades
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Physical symptoms with no medical cause (stomachaches, headaches)
Comments about self-harm or worthlessness

Early intervention can make a huge difference.

What Texas Is Doing to Help

Texas has launched several initiatives to improve behavioral health for children and teens:

Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC) helps train primary care doctors and pediatricians to screen for mental health conditions and refer kids to the right support.
The YES Waiver Program supports children with serious emotional disturbances by covering intensive community-based services.
School-Based Mental Health Services are expanding across many school districts to ensure children get care where they are.

Still, many families are left navigating the system alone — that’s where we come in.

How Effect Therapy Supports Youth and Families

At Effect Therapy Community Support Services, we specialize in behavioral health care for youth. Our goal is to meet your child where they are — emotionally, developmentally, and physically — and provide:

Personalized counseling and therapy (for individuals and families)
In-home and community support programs
Behavior management plans tailored to school or home life
Coping skills development for anger, anxiety, attention, and trauma
Parent support and education to guide you every step of the way

We use a brief therapeutic model — meaning we focus on efficient, practical, and effective strategies to help your child grow and thrive, while also empowering families with tools they can use every day.

Effective Therapy Community Support Services