At Chester Pediatrics, your child’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. We’ve introduced an Integrated Behavioral Health Program to bring mental health evaluation and emotional support right into your child’s medical home. You’re never alone, we’re here when you need us, because your child deserves whole-person care, every step of the way. Below, we have outlined some common frequently asked questions you may have about your child’s care and our Integrated Behavioral Health Program.
● What is Integrated Behavioral Health?
○ At Chester Pediatrics, our Integrated Behavioral Health program ensures your child’s emotional well-being is woven into every visit alongside their
physical health. Our behavioral health specialists work directly with your child’s primary care provider to offer support for common issues like
anxiety, ADHD, sleep troubles, parenting challenges, medical condition management, life transitions, and school-related concerns.
● What happens during a behavioral health consultation?
○ A consultation is typically scheduled within 1-2 days following your child’s appointment with their physician. During this session, a behavioral health
specialist will meet with your child and, in some cases, your family, to understand what is going on, identify any needs and recommend next
steps, whether that is in‑clinic support or a referral for specialized care.
● Who can schedule an Integrated Behavioral Health visit?
○ These services are available to patients already established at Chester Pediatrics who are up to date on well-child visits and have been referred
by one of our providers.
● What if I’m unsure whether my child needs help?
○ You can flag behavioral or emotional concerns—like mood shifts, sleep issues, or changes at home or school—during any wellness or sick-child
appointment. Your pediatrician will guide you on whether a behavioral health consultation is a good fit.
● Will my insurance cover Integrated Behavioral Health visits?
○ Insurance plans can vary. To understand your benefits, including potential copays or coinsurance, we kindly ask that you check directly with your
provider.
● What if my child needs ongoing care?
○ While some children benefit from just a few integrated sessions, others may need longer-term support. If we’re unable to provide care for your
child in office, our behavioral health specialist will navigate referrals for specialized therapy, psychiatry, school support systems or community providers as needed.
About our behavioral health provider
Lauren Burris is excited to join the Chester Pediatrics team as a Behavioral Health Specialist. She is currently a Supervisee in Social Work and received her Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Previously, Lauren worked for Communities in School (CIS) of Richmond at Fairfield Middle School, where she helped create a sense of belonging for low-income children. She also worked at the VA Medical Hospital in Inpatient Medicine, where she provided immediate support to family and loved ones of patients receiving medical care
Lauren chose the behavioral health field because she loves connecting with people in a real and meaningful way and creating a space where her patients can work through challenges, build confidence and discover their strengths.
Lauren specializes in Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Play Therapy. She enjoys getting to know children as whole people and learning everything about them, while making them feel safe, heard and empowered. She believes that every child has their own story, and that her role is to listen, support and guide them, meeting them with curiosity, compassion and care every step of the way.
When she is not working, you can find Lauren playing rugby with James River Women's Rugby, attending live concerts, reading and spending time with her cats. Her favorite parts of the Richmond area are the concert venues, hiking and, of course, the James River