A new pediatric psychologist has joined Mount Nittany Physician Group Pediatrics, expanding the health system’s mental health services for children and teens.
Shannon Manley will be practicing out of the Mount Nittany Health – Boalsburg office.
Psychological services for youth in the region are limited and can be difficult to schedule. Mount Nittany Health, meanwhile, identified the need for behavioral health services as a priority in its 2019 Community Needs Health Assessment, according to a news release
“Mount Nittany Physician Group is one of the largest pediatric health care providers in Centre County and partnering with them provides me a great opportunity to provide therapy and psychological testing services to many children and families who would otherwise have difficulty obtaining these services,” Manley said in a statement.
Pediatric behavioral health services offered by Mount Nittany Physician Group include therapy, testing and crisis evaluation. Therapy, with a variety of treatment protocols that can be used, is offered for established Mount Nittany Physician Group primary care patients up to 18 years old after a diagnosis and treatment plan are developed through an initial evaluation.
Testing is done for behavioral or emotional problems that do not have a clear cause, evaluating issues such as attention difficulty, impulsive behavior, social skills deficits, difficulty regulating emotions and learning difficulty. Psychological assessment tools are used to develop a diagnosis and inform treatment.
“There is still a stigma in our society surrounding mental health services, and the courage, drive and strength demonstrated by my patients and their families to overcome this fuels me to show up for work every day and provide them with the quality care and support they deserve,” Manley said.
Manley holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Juniata College and a master’s and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Toledo.
“I am a strong advocate for evidence-based practice,” Manley said. “This approach to behavioral healthcare involves using treatments that have been found through research to be effective and tailoring them to the needs and context of each individual child.
“I incorporate this by teaming up with kids and families and acknowledging that everyone on the team has expertise that they bring to the table. I know about science-backed techniques and skills, and kids and parents are experts on themselves: their values, strengths, needs, and circumstances. Together, we can come up with a treatment plan that works for them.”
For more about services Manley can provide and how to schedule an appointment, call 814-466-4600.
Manley was one of eight new primary care providers in Centre County announced by Mount Nittany Health in July, expanding the State College-based health systems services in family, sports and internal medicine and pediatrics.
