Community Based Mental Healthcare Services

Therapeutic Behavioral Services

Individualized Mental Health Services for San Francisco Youth

Edgewood’s Therapeutic Behavioral Services offer intensive, short-term, one-to-one behavior coaching interventions for youth ages 3–21 with full-scope Medi-Cal who are at risk of psychiatric hospitalization or a higher level of out-of-home care due to acute emotional and behavioral challenges.

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) should be considered a supplemental service to a primary specialty mental health intervention and is most appropriate for youth already receiving individual therapy, family therapy, or wraparound services.

Location
Program Director
Zach Brothers

Who We Help

Youth ages 3 to 21 who are covered by Medi-Cal in San Francisco and are exhibiting severe behaviors such as aggression, self-harm, impulsivity, or suicidal ideation that jeopardize current placement or risk escalation to higher levels of care.

Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) is an evidence-based, collaborative approach designed to maximize safety, family stability, and maintenance in the least restrictive environment for at-risk youth.

Program Model

Behavioral coaching

Individualized, goal-driven behavioral coaching within the home or current setting, in collaboration with the youth’s treatment team and family/caregivers.

Caregiver Involvement

Active participation is required. Caregivers/family members receive coaching to implement effective behavioral interventions at home.

Outcomes

Data is gathered weekly on behavioral frequency, duration, and intensity to monitor progress toward measurable reductions. TBS is discontinued when sustained improvement is demonstrated. Typically, this means behavioral stabilization over 4 weeks or clear progress toward treatment goals.

Service Coordination

Therapeutic Behavioral Services function in connection to primary mental healthcare services. TBS should not be a stand-alone intervention.

Eligibility

  • Active involvement with a specialty mental health provider and an established mental health treatment plan.
  • Recent or ongoing risk of out-of-home placement, psychiatric hospitalization, or placement disruption due to behavioral safety concerns.
  • Less intensive interventions have been attempted and found insufficient.
  • For further details regarding eligibility or to initiate a referral, contact Kristin Rhoades, the TBS San Francisco county coordinator.

Referral Process

  • Discuss Therapeutic Behavioral Services as an option with the youth and caregiver/guardian, obtain informed consent, and update the care plan as needed.
  • Submit a referral packet including the most recent mental health assessment, current treatment goals, and supporting clinical documentation to Kristin Rhoades, the TBS San Francisco county coordinator for review and coordination with the individual provider.
  • Referring providers remain clinically involved throughout the duration of TBS.