Page 4 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - December '23

Page 4, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine Appointed

As Medical Director Of Center For Child Counseling

Center for Child Counseling According to Renée Layman, CEO of the center, “We are Data indicate that, although pediatric providers intuitively
announces the appointment of thrilled to enhance our collaboration with Fox-Levine and understand the negative effects of trauma, they report a
Shannon Fox-Levine, M.D., further tackle system issues, advocate for children, and create lack of knowledge, time, and resources as major barriers to
as medical director. Dr. Fox- action to improve the mental health and access to quality care providing trauma-informed care. Yet, experts believe that
Levine joins the Palm Beach for the children in our community.” the complete assessment of child and adolescent behavioral,
County-based nonprofit at a The creation of the medical director position is a continuation developmental, emotional, and physical health requires
critical time as our nation’s of the partnership the center has been building with Fox-Levine consideration of trauma as part of the differential diagnosis
youth face a mental health and her pediatric office, Palm Beach Pediatrics, for more than a to improve diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of care.”
crisis and there is a shortage of decade. In addition to Center for Child Counseling integrating As medical director, Fox-Levine’s scope of services will
professionals who can support its services within Palm Beach Pediatrics to deliver an array of include: developing a collaborative model of care between
their overall well-being. prevention, early intervention, and mental health services within primary pediatrics and mental health in the community;
The current snapshot of the primary care setting, Fox-Levine will now expand early developing and presenting trainings and workshops on
Palm Beach County’s youth Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine intervention and prevention methods within the community psychopharmacology, pediatric medical conditions, adverse
mental health is alarming. and advocate for change within the systems. childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma, and other topics
In 2021, 41.5 percent of Palm Beach County high school “One of my long-term goals has been to bridge the gap in to enhance professional knowledge; mental health diagnoses
students reported that they felt hopeless, and 20.7 percent the continuity of care of children with mental health issues consultation and follow-up care coordination; and providing
of total high school students seriously contemplated suicide between therapists and the county’s pediatricians. With this oversight of medical students to develop a formal internship
(PBC Youth Behavioral Health Survey). Today, one in four new role, I am excited to turn this dream into a reality and experience within the center.
children suffer a mental health or behavioral concern. improve the mental health care for all children in Palm Beach Layman and Fox-Levine agree there is no lack of
In 2022, the entire state of Florida had a total of 493 County,” stated Fox-Levine. resources available to children and families in Palm Beach
child and adolescent psychiatrists with 43 practicing in Palm According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, County; the lack of communication about the resources is
Beach County – one psychiatrist per 6,553 children under “Pediatric clinicians are on the front lines of caring for where the barrier exists.
the age of 18 in the county (American Academy of Child children and adolescents and, thus, have the greatest potential
and Adolescent Psychiatry). for early identification of and response to childhood trauma. Dr. Shannon Fox-Levine Appointed on page 6

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