Children's Emergency Mental Health Services
Compassionate Crisis Care in Tampa
There's no greater pain than seeing your child struggle with a mental health crisis. At Ibis Healthcare, we've created a specialized, warm, and secure environment for children and adolescents experiencing psychiatric emergencies. Our children's crisis inpatient services and mobile crisis response team provide expert, compassionate care when your family needs it most.
Thousands of families throughout Tampa Bay have trusted the well-being of their children to our care. Our board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists and licensed clinical team work exclusively with children ages 5-17, providing the specialized expertise needed to recognize psychiatric disorders in young people and recommend the most appropriate treatment pathways.
Derek McCarron, LMHC, our Chief Pediatric Officer with 20 years of experience in pediatric mental health, leads our multidisciplinary team of child psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and psychiatric nurses who understand the unique developmental needs of children and adolescents in crisis.
24/7 Emergency Walk-In Services
Immediate Access to Care
Our Tampa children's mental health crisis services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. When your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, you don't have to wait for an appointment or navigate complex referral processes.
Emergency Contact Information:
24/7 Crisis Line: 813-272-2882
Location: 2208 E. Henry Ave., Tampa, FL 33610
Walk-ins Welcome: No appointment necessary for crisis evaluations
Children’s Emergency Services Frequently Asked Questions
Comprehensive Crisis Assessment
Our experienced clinicians provide immediate, thorough evaluations to determine:
- Immediate safety and stabilization needs
- Appropriate level of care recommendations
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Family support and resource needs
- Upon discharge, an aftercare appointment is provided within 7-days
Specialized Inpatient Crisis Stabilization
Secure 28-Bed Children's Program
Our children's crisis inpatient program operates in a secure, 28-bed unit designed specifically for children and adolescents ages 5-17. The environment balances safety and security with warmth and therapeutic healing.
Unit Features:
- Age-appropriate, child-friendly design and furnishings
- Separate areas for different age groups and developmental stages
- Family visiting areas and comfortable spaces for family therapy/meetings
- Recreational and expressive therapy areas
- On-campus primary care and pharmacy
Expert Clinical Team
Board-Certified Child Psychiatrists: Our psychiatrists specialize exclusively in child and adolescent mental health, with extensive training in developmental psychopathology and pediatric psychopharmacology.
We are a teaching facility in collaboration with the University of South Florida Medical School.
Licensed Clinical Staff: Our multi-disciplinary team may include:
- Licensed clinical social workers specializing in child and family therapy
- Licensed mental health counselors with pediatric expertise
- Registered nurses trained in psychiatric nursing and child development
- Recreational and expressive therapists
- Medical Director: Board Certified Adult and Pediatric Psychiatrist/MD
Comprehensive Diagnostic Services
We provide thorough diagnostic evaluations for a wide range of childhood mental health conditions:
- Mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder)
- Anxiety disorders and trauma-related conditions
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Behavioral disorders and conduct problems
- Psychotic disorders and severe mental illness
- Co-occurring mental health & Substance Use conditions
Therapeutic Programming for Children and Adolescents
Individual Therapy Services
Each child receives individualized therapy tailored to their developmental stage, presenting concerns, and family situation:
- Play Therapy: For younger children who express themselves through play and creative activities
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Age-appropriate CBT techniques for children and adolescents
- Trauma-Informed Therapy: Specialized interventions for children who have experienced trauma
- Family Systems Therapy: Involving family members in treatment planning and intervention
Group Therapy Programming
Age-appropriate group interventions help children develop social skills, emotional regulation, and peer support:
- Social Skills Groups: Building healthy peer relationships and communication
- Emotional Regulation Groups: Learning coping strategies and emotion management
- Psychoeducation Groups: Understanding mental health conditions and treatment
- Life Skills Groups: Developing independence and self-care abilities
Expressive and Recreational Therapy
Creative and movement-based therapies provide alternative ways for children to process emotions and develop healthy coping strategies:
- Art Therapy: Using creative expression for emotional processing and communication
- Music Therapy: Therapeutic use of music for emotional regulation and self-expression
- Recreational Therapy: Physical activities and games that promote social interaction and healthy outlets
Family-Centered Care and Support
Family Involvement and Education
We understand your role as a parent is invaluable, and we're here to guide and support you through your child's crisis and recovery:
Family Services Include:
- Regular family meetings with clinical staff and psychiatrists
- Family therapy session and communication skill building
- Parent education about your child's mental health condition
- Discharge planning and community resource connection
- Crisis prevention planning for future family use
Visiting and Communication
We encourage family involvement while maintaining the therapeutic milieu necessary for stabilization:
- Structured visiting hours that support both family connection and treatment
- Regular phone communication between families and clinical staff
- Family participation in treatment planning and goal setting
- Sibling support and education when appropriate
Mobile Crisis Response Team
24/7 Community-Based Crisis Intervention
Our Mobile Crisis Response Team brings expert mental health crisis intervention directly to children and families throughout Hillsborough County, providing immediate support in your home, or within the community.
Mobile Crisis Services:
- Immediate Response: Licensed clinicians respond to crisis situations
- On-Site Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation in home, school, or community settings
- Crisis De-escalation: Expert intervention to reduce crisis intensity and ensure safety
- Safety Planning: Collaborative development of a safety plan
- Resource Connection: Linkage to appropriate ongoing services and supports
- Transportation: If hospitalization is necessary, will assist with transportation
When to Call Mobile Crisis
Please call 911, for immediate concerns about safety
Call 813-272-2958 for:
- Children or teens experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Severe behavioral episodes that threaten safety
- Psychiatric emergencies in home or school settings
- Family crises related to child mental health conditions
- Need for immediate professional assessment and intervention
Insurance and Accessibility
Comprehensive Insurance Acceptance
We accept a wide range of insurance plans to ensure accessible care for all families:
- Commercial insurance plans (most major carriers accepted)
- Medicaid and Florida Healthy Kids
- No one is denied treatment, for lack of insurance or ability to pay.
Traditional Treatment Not Working?
Some children need more than traditional Outpatient
Ask about our Community Action Team, provides intensive treatment with a dedicated treatment team. We are also co-located within Hillsborough County Schools to provide on-site mental health support through East Henry Academy.
Contact Our Children's Emergency Services
When your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, expert help is available 24/7. Our compassionate team is ready to provide the specialized care your child needs and the support your family deserves.
Emergency Services:
- 24/7 Crisis Line: 813-272-2882
- Mobile Crisis Team: 813-272-2958
- Location: 2208 E. Henry Ave., Tampa, FL 33610
For Non-Emergency Inquiries:
- For all Ibis Programs: 813-272-2244
Remember: If your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, don't wait. Our expert team is here to provide compassionate, effective care that helps your family overcome challenges and move toward healing. Treatment works.
Treating a child in distress as soon as possible can help reduce problems at home, in school, and in relationships with family or friends. It can also help build skills for healthy development into adulthood. I believe children are resilient