It’s a Messy Topic, But Let’s Talk About Poop

There are a lot of ways to describe it: soft, hard, brown, green, runny, and certainly stinky. It’s a messy topic often discussed behind closed doors, but let’s break down the scoop on poop — what parents need to know, from its color, consistency and frequency to what to do when a child is “backed up.”

According to Mollie Grow, M.D., a pediatrician at Seattle Children’s and the University of Washington, it can be challenging for some families to have frank conversations about the body’s natural process of elimination. In other words, it can be hard to talk about poop.

“As pediatricians, we get really comfortable talking about poop,” says Grow. “We try to normalize the conversation with patients and families.”

Breaking it down

According to Grow, normal, healthy poop can range in color. This is especially true for babies. Since parents are more aware of changes in their baby’s poop day to day, Grow says to think about the colors of fall when evaluating if there is cause for concern.

“Green, brown and yellow can all be normal,” says Grow. “But if the colors are more like [shades of] Mickey Mouse — black, white and red — then you should call your child’s doctor. These colors are abnormal and can indicate something might be wrong.”

If a child’s poop is black, it can be a sign of internal bleeding. If there is red, or blood, in the stool, a child may have a cut around their bottom or in their intestine. White poop occurs when there is a lack of bile, which may indicate an underlying problem, but according to Grow, this is very rare.

It’s also important to note that diet can play a role in the color of a child’s poop. For example, eating a lot of iron could cause poop to look darker and eating beets could make a child’s poop look red.

When it comes to frequency, Grow says children should poop every one to two days, and the consistency should be soft and formed, much like softserve ice cream. If a child’s poop is hard or dry, resembles pellets, or if a child has to strain to poop, they may be constipated.

According to Grow, constipation is one of the most common complaints she sees during clinic visits, and onequarter of referrals to gastroenterologists are related to constipation.

“One of the most common symptoms is abdominal pain,” says Grow. “If a child has tummy pain, the first question you should ask is, ‘When was the last time you pooped?’”

All backed up

According to Grow, there are a number of risk factors related to constipation. “Low intake of fiber and fluids can cause constipation,” says Grow. “It’s important to make sure kids are drinking water between meals and eating enough whole fruits and vegetables.

Pitted fruits, such as apricots or plums and also pears, tend to be really good sources of fiber. Don’t overdo it on bananas, which can be constipating. Also, avoid too much dairy and offer primarily whole grains. Many kids suffer from constipation due to high intake of fast foods and processed foods, which tend to have very little fiber. Admittedly, it is a challenge for families that are always on the go. Looking for ways to add whole foods and food cooked at home is helpful.”

Grow also recommends regular exercise to keep constipation at bay. “Our digestive system works better when we’re active,” says Grow. “Preschoolers need lots of active playtime. They should get two hours each day. Older children should get at least 60 minutes of daily activity. A great way to stay active is by encouraging outdoor time and physical play. A sedentary lifestyle can increase your risk for constipation.”

Seeking intervention

If a child is constipated, it’s key to seek early intervention.

According to Grow, the biggest concern in not treating the problem, it’s that constipation can lead to a child’s inability to feel when it’s time to go to the bathroom. If a child is constipated and has a large collection of stool in their rectum, they can leak poop, a condition called encopresis. If a child holds their poop, they can also lose tone in their rectum.

Another sign a child could be constipated is if they have a sudden increase in bedwetting. When a child holds in their poop, the collection of feces can push on their bladder. With early intervention, the issue can be managed.

“The combination of what we can do from a feeding standpoint and activity standpoint work hand in hand,” says Grow. “Constipation is a common cause of distress in families. The earlier we can intervene, the better. Often, diet changes can help manage it, but if they don’t, there are good medicines that can help.”

Talking about poop, just like going to the bathroom, doesn’t need to be a straining experience. Talk to children about poop and make the experience enjoyable.

“We want kids to not have a fear of poop, especially when they are learning to toilet-train,” says Grow.

Grow also recommends talking to children about their poop as they get older. Parents will be less in tune with their child’s toilet habits as they grow older, and so being able to talk about poop will help parents identify if something needs to be addressed with their doctor.

So, the next time a child says, “My tummy hurts,” it’s helpful to ask, “When was the last time you pooped?” ■

This article was first published on Seattle Children’s On the Pulse blog (pulse.seattlechildrens.org).

“It’s a really big problem,” says Grow. “Kids can’t control the leaking poop, and it can be a big source of embarrassment. What we’re trying to avoid is the retention of poop.”

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Pediatricians

UW Medicine — Pediatrics

Offering the latest therapies for premature infants in Level IV and III neonatal intensive care units; specialized pediatric gynecology, neurosurgery and trauma services; Level I pediatric trauma center

Greater Seattle area; uwmedicine.org/about/contact-us

Valley Medical Center (UW Medicine)

Only dedicated pediatric unit between Seattle and Tacoma, including a NICU, specialized pediatric services and comprehensive rehabilitative care Renton; 425-690-1000 valleymed.org

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health — Pediatrics

Delivering world-class pediatric care at multiple locations around Puget Sound

Greater Seattle and the Eastside virginiamason.org/pediatrics

Washington State Department of Health ............... 26 Staying up to date on your child’s checkups is an important part of making sure they have everything they need to keep growing and learning — schedule a checkup today. doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization

Safety

Center for Childhood Safety

Information about car seat safety, guidelines and programs that offer free or low-cost car seats; car seat inspections, bike helmets and life jacket fittings

Serving Pierce and South King counties; car seat helpline: 253-403-1000 marybridge.org/services/childhood-safety

NHTSA — Car Seats and Booster Seats

Step-by-step guide to choosing the right seat, installing it correctly and keeping your child safe

Toll-free: 1-888-327-4236; nhtsa.gov

Washington Poison Center

24-hour hotline providing immediate treatment advice and assistance

Toll-free: 1-800-222-1222; wapc.org

Washington State Department of Health — Vaccinate WA .................................................. 26

Latest information and health advisories about COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for children ages 6 months and older Statewide; vaccinatewa.org/kids

Where healthier futures begin

For more than 50 years, our physician-owned practice has been helping Eastside children grow up happy, healthy and strong.

We are devoted to providing your family with the personal experience and quality care we expect for our own. With more than 80 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants across seven neighborhood clinics, we are committed to being here when you need us.

We offer:

• Same-day appointments for injury and illness, seven days a week, including holidays

• Convenient online scheduling

• Virtual visits until 8:30 p.m.

• Yearly checkups to answer your everyday questions

• Sports, school and camp physicals

• Quick visits for flu shots or other vaccinations

• One-on-one visits focused on specific concerns about your child’s development or behavioral health

• On-site lab and X-ray services

Our mission is to partner with families to heal, nurture and empower each child in their journey to adulthood.

It’s time to schedule your child’s next checkup doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization

Adding another appointment to your calendar can be tough when you’re already juggling a lot. And pediatrician appointments book up fast. But by scheduling your child’s routine checkup now, you can make sure they get the vaccines they need to be protected at school or child care next year.

Staying up to date on your child’s checkups is an important part of making sure they have everything they need to keep growing and learning.

Schedule your next checkup, Washington — reach out to your child’s doctor or clinic today.

Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccination

Making sure your child is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination helps protect their health, your family’s health, and reduces disruptions to child care and school, which means fewer sick days for everybody.

Updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines are now available and safe for all kids 6 months and up. For most kids 5 years and older, a COVID-19 vaccine primary series is now just one dose!

Reach out to your child’s doctor or clinic today to schedule a vaccine appointment.

vaccinatewa.org/kids

Get the resources you need, when you need them

Help Me Grow Washington is a free service that connects parents and caregivers to resources in their community. We help you learn about and find the right resources to support your child’s health, development and learning.

Call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline to connect with a friendly, local and knowledgeable Family Resource Navigator who can help you understand and apply for a variety of services and resources. We are here to listen to you.

We can support your family in a variety of ways, from providing information on prenatal care, birth services and baby supplies; to connecting you with WIC nutrition services, free or low-cost health insurance, or pregnancy and parenting resources; to offering you tools to understand your child’s development.

Community Centers

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue

National leader in innovating new strategies and programs for youth ages 2–18

Multiple locations; main club: 425-454-6162 bgcbellevue.org

Boys & Girls Clubs of King County

Dozens of clubs serving thousands of young people with hundreds of programs

Multiple Greater Seattle locations; 206-436-1800 positiveplace.org

Seattle Parks & Recreation Community Centers

Find the community center nearest you seattle.gov/parks/find/centers/ community-centers-a-z

South Sound YMCA

Providing our community with affordable resources for positive development, recreation, health and beyond

3 South Sound–area locations; 360-753-6576 southsoundymca.org

Stroum Jewish Community Center

A place where friendships form, traditions thrive and the community strengthens Greater Seattle; 206-232-7117 sjcc.org info@sjcc.org

YMCA of Greater Seattle

Offering child care for kids ages 0–12; youth and family programs and social services; camps, classes and fitness programs

Multiple Seattle-area and Eastside locations; 206-382-5022 seattleymca.org

YWCA Eastside Women’s Center

Supporting a healthy community transformed by racial and gender equity, where women and girls of color have equal access to opportunity and there is social justice for all people

Seattle, King, Snohomish counties; 206-461-4888 ywcaworks.org

Family + Social Services

Atlantic Street Center

Wraparound services include education, family support and behavioral health counseling to the low-income minority populations of King and Pierce counties

206-329-2050; ascinfo@atlanticstreet.org atlanticstreetcenter.org

Bellevue Schools Foundation

Partnering with the community to provide exceptional education for every Bellevue School District student

North King and south Snohomish counties; 425-456-4199 bellevueschoolsfoundation.org info@bsfdn.org

Eastside Pathways

Partnership of dozens of public, private and nonprofit organizations working collectively on the Eastside to attain better outcomes for kids, cradle to career info@eastsidepathways.org; eastsidepathways.org

Family Support Center of South Sound

Nonprofit agency providing parents, children and survivors of violence with coordinated, centralized services

Olympia/South Sound; 360-754-9297 fscss.org

FamilyWorks Seattle

Connecting neighbors and families to nourishing food, essential resources and a supportive community; two food bank locations; playgroups, parenting classes, advocacy, referrals, more Wallingford, Greenwood; 206-694-6727 familyworksseattle.org theteam@familyworksseattle.org

Help Me Grow Washington ............................ 27 Free service connecting parents and caregivers to resources in their community Statewide; 1-800-322-2588 helpmegrowwa.org help@parenthelp123.org

Hopelink

Social services nonprofit agency assisting with food banks, energy assistance, housing, a family development program, transportation and adult education

Located in Redmond, serving north and east King County; 425-869-6000 hopelink.org

Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

From books mailed to your home to interactive song and story times, every Jewish family has a home with Federation!

Greater Seattle area; 206-774-2247 jewishinseattle.org/youngfamilies info@jewishinseattle.org

Mercer Island Youth & Family Services

Comprehensive services for the Mercer Island community, including family assistance, counseling services, youth development programs, early intervention and more Mercer Island; 206-275-7600 mercerisland.gov

North Helpline

Provider of basic resources to families in need, including food banks, client services, financial assistance, and health-care screenings and services North Seattle; client services: 206-365-8043 northhelpline.org

ParentHelp123

Providing simple, integrated, family-focused information about state-benefit programs and local resources for families, including applying for health insurance, food assistance programs and much more

Statewide; toll-free: 1-800-322-2588 parenthelp123.org help@parenthelp123.org

Renton Area Youth & Family Services (RAYS)

Provider of high-quality, integrated behavioral health-care and prevention services to children, youths and families, to restore hope for a healthier future

Greater Seattle area; 206-624-6477 childhaven.org/rays

Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department

Coordinating family and professional resources to protect the health of all people and places in Pierce County

253-649-1500; toll-free: 1-800-330-1844 tpchd.org

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families

Services for families and youth, including child care and early learning, foster parenting, adoption support, Child Protective Services (CPS) and access to programs benefiting Washington state families in need Statewide; dcyf.wa.gov/contact-us

Washington State Division of Child Support

Information about receiving or paying child support and how to apply Statewide; toll-free: 1-800-442-KIDS (5437) dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support

Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program (WIC)

Program serving eligible pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and their children (ages 5 and younger) with monthly checks for food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health screenings and referrals

More than 200 clinics statewide; Help Me Grow WA Hotline: 1-800-322-2588 doh.wa.gov/youandyourfamily/wic program.intake@usda.gov

Immigrant + Refugee Services

CISC

Early childhood education, youth development, family support, cultural navigation, senior and disabled adult services, and health-care access programs for immigrants and their families King County; 206-624-5633 cisc-seattle.org info@cisc-seattle.org

East African Community Services

Providing education and citizenship programs and case management services for the East African community King County; 206-721-1119 eastafricancs.org info@eastafricancs.org

El Centro de la Raza

Comprehensive programs and services for the Latino community

Multiple Seattle locations, Federal Way; 206-957-4634 elcentrodelaraza.org

Jewish Family Service

Culturally diverse and caring staff helps refugees and immigrants make a successful transition to self-sufficiency Seattle (206-461-3240), South King County (253-850-4065), Eastside (425-643-2221) jfsseattle.org

Korean Community Service Center

Support groups for self-identifying Korean American parents, expecting families and newborn parents; available in English and Korean Greater Seattle area; 425-776-2400 kcsc-seattle.org deborah@kcsc-seattle.org

Lutheran Community Services Northwest Provider of services for behavioral health issues, family and community support, refugee and immigrant resettlement, child welfare, more Multiple Washington state offices; 206-901-1685 lcsnw.org continued from page 29

Immigrant + Refugee Services

Neighborhood House

Individual and family assistance centers offer a range of employment, housing, adult education and case management support as well as connections to community, early education and health resources

Multiple Seattle-area locations; 206-923-6480 nhwa.org

Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)

Nonprofit providing holistic services to help refugee and immigrant women and families quickly and effectively stabilize, acculturate, increase language proficiency and improve employability Rainier Valley; 206-721-0243 rewa.org

FAMILY HEALTH + WELLNESS

Family Medicine

Bellevue Family Medicine

Patient-centered practice providing a full range of preventive care, including annual physical exams and pediatric care, as well as prenatal care for expectant moms

Bellevue; 425-366-7031 bellevuefamilymedicine.com

Eastgate Public Health Center

Public health services including Women, Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental food program, health screening, nutrition and health education Bellevue; 1-800-244-4512 kingcounty.gov

EvergreenHealth — Primary Care Clinics

Primary care clinics offering personal care and the convenience of multiple locations close to home and work

Multiple locations; 425-899-3000 evergreenhealth.com/find-a-doctor

HealthPoint

Complete, convenient care, including whole family medicine and dentistry, pediatrics, obstetrics, naturopathic medicine, WIC, pharmacy and more Multiple King County locations; 425-277-1311 healthpointchc.org

Southeast Youth & Family Services

Licensed mental health center providing comprehensive early learning and mental health services; African and Asian immigrant and refugee support and community outreach Seattle; 206-721-5542 seyfs.org

Southwest Youth & Family Services

Leading resource for education, counseling, youth and family development services and programs for low-income families in Southwest King County 206-937-7680; swyfs.org info@swyfs.org

Immunity Community

A vaccine promotion program of WithinReach that also helps families connect with health and food resources Statewide; 206-284-2465 immunitycommunitywa.org ic@withinreachwa.org

Kaiser Permanente — Primary Care: Family Medicine and Pediatrics

Full-service medical centers offer primary care, various specialties, a pharmacy, and (at most locations) radiology and lab services

Multiple locations statewide; toll-free: 1-888-874-1620 wa.kaiserpermanente.org

Neighborcare Health ..................................... 33

Respectful medical, dental and mental health care; social services for all ages; most insurance accepted, including Medicaid

Multiple Seattle-area clinic locations; 206-548-5710 neighborcare.org info@neighborcare.org

Overlake Medical Center & Primary Care Clinics

Family medicine practitioners provide patient-based care for every stage of life; same-day appointments

Multiple Eastside locations; 425-688-6600 overlakehospital.org continued on page 32

Quality, top-rated and personalized health care based on evidence and science

Stepping Stone Pediatrics is a pediatric primary care clinic with offices in Bellevue and Renton, serving children ages 0–21.

• We are open Mondays–Saturdays, including evening and telehealth appointments.

• Same-day appointments are always available.

• Appointments are booked online 24/7 through our website.

• All major insurances are accepted, including Apple Health, Medicaid and self-pay.

• Our staff members speak Spanish (¡Hablamos Español!), Korean, Thai, Indonesian and Malaysian. We offer interpretation services for all other languages.

• We dedicate 60 minutes for checkups and up to 45 minutes of face-to-face time for sick visits. We spend more time with our patients than any of our competitors.

• Your calls/messages are answered directly by our providers through a secure portal system.

• We offer complimentary meet and greet visits for expectant parents.

We look forward to serving you!

Give your child the best start in life youtheastsideservices.org • 425-747-4937 info@youtheastsideservices.org continued from page 30

Is parenting harder than you expected? Does your child have tantrums, problems listening, or difficulty follow directions? Youth Eastside Services’ (YES) Early Childhood Behavioral Health Program can help!

YES provides parents/caregivers in East King County with children birth to seven years old two evidence-based therapies — Promoting First Relationships (PFR) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), proven to help regulate a child’s behavior, build strong parental relationships, and ensure that your child is meeting developmental milestones.

No matter your financial situation you can find support at YES. YES accepts most private insurance, Washington Apple Health, and offers financial aid.

Family Medicine

Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed)

Friendly, expert care for families, from newborns to adults; pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, specialty care, flexible hours

Multiple Seattle-area clinics; toll-free: 1-888-4PACMED (472-2633) pacmed.org

The Polyclinic — Family Medicine

Encompassing all areas of primary care for all ages, newborns to seniors, including preventative care, management of chronic conditions, pediatrics, women’s health, men’s health, sexual health

Multiple Seattle locations polyclinic.com/family-medicine

Providence Regional Medical Center Everett

Comprehensive care to patients in Northwest Washington, from delivering babies and caring for kids, to treating adults with cancer or chronic disease

Multiple Snohomish County locations; 425-261-2000 providence.org

Swedish Medical Center — Family Medicine

Pediatric primary care, pediatric specialty care, family medicine

Serving Seattle and the Eastside; toll-free: 1-800-SWEDISH (793-3474) swedish.org

UW Medicine — Primary Care

Active patient-provider relationships, seamless coordination across care teams, full-spectrum care through all stages of life, urgent care clinics for walk-ins 7 days a week

Multiple Seattle-area locations; uwmedicine.org

Virginia Mason — Family Medicine Care

Physicians serve as primary care providers and work closely with teams of specialists, hospitalists and nurses to coordinate and personalize care for your unique family

Greater Seattle and the Eastside; 1-866-832-6633 virginiamason.org/family-medicine

Western Washington Medical Group .......... 33

Providing compassionate primary care for the entire family; locally owned, patient-focused and committed to high-quality personalized care 20+ North Puget Sound locations; wwmedgroup.com/parent-map

Compassionate care for the whole family

At Neighborcare Health, we believe everyone deserves quality, respectful health care. With clinics and school-based health centers across Seattle, Neighborcare Health provides medical, dental, mental health and social services for the whole family, including babies, children and teens. Many families make Neighborcare Health their health care home, from pregnancy to childhood and into adulthood.

We’re here for you and your family with care when you are sick, assistance with ongoing conditions, preventive care to help maintain your good health, and more. We accept Medicaid, Medicare and most private insurance, and discounted fees are available. No one is turned away for an inability to pay. All are welcome.

neighborcare.org • 206-548-5710 info@neighborcare.org

Primary care for your whole family

Our family medicine providers support patients at all stages of life with compassionate, comprehensive primary care. From newborns to school-age children, adults to seniors, we care for your whole family.

Western Washington Medical Group is locally owned by our providers. Which means that decisions about your care are not made by corporate executives from a far-off state. Our providers get to know you, the patient, and work collaboratively to determine the best course of treatment for your health issues together. We look forward to serving you and your family members at one of our seven primary care locations in Snohomish County.

wwmedgroup.com/parent-map

Help Lines

If you or someone you care about is suicidal or in emotional crisis, caring professionals are ready to listen and assist you in finding the help you need.

2-1-1 Statewide

2-1-1 connects callers, at no cost, to critical health and human services in their community; Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

2-1-1 or 1-877-211-9274; win211.org

King County 24-Hour Crisis Line (Crisis Connections)

Designated mental health crisis hotline for King County; calls answered 24/7/365

1-866-4-CRISIS (1-866-427-4747); crisisconnections.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-hour hotline for anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress

1-800-273-TALK (8255); suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Perinatal Support Washington’s “Warm Line”

Helpline connecting parents recovering from pregnancy and postpartum mood disorders with peers and licensed therapists

1-888-404-7763; perinatalsupport.org

Teen Link

Confidential teen-answered helpline and text-line available evenings

6–10 p.m.

1-866-833-6546; 866teenlink.org

WA Recovery Help Line

24-hour crisis intervention and referral line for those struggling with issues related to mental health, substance abuse and problem gambling

1-866-789-1511; warecoveryhelpline.org continued from page 32

Fertility + Reproductive Health

ORM Fertility

Expert care and a state-of-the-art embryology lab to help achieve the highest success rates Bellevue; 425-332-5529, toll-free: 1-877-567-4994 ormfertility.com/bellevue

Overlake Reproductive Health

Setting the standard in boutique-style fertility care and reproductive medicine Bellevue; 425-646-4700 fertileweb.com

Planned Parenthood

Nonprofit provider of high-quality, affordable health care and the nation’s largest provider of sex education

Multiple Puget Sound–area health centers; toll-free: 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) plannedparenthood.org

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

National patient advocacy organization providing free support groups in more than 200 communities; patient advocacy; and resources for anyone challenged in their family building Nationwide; 703-556-7172 resolve.org info@resolve.org

Financial + Specialty Services

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center ............................................................... 45 Exploring interactive exhibitions, health innovations, and stories of our partners and communities as we work towards a fairer future Seattle, online discovergates.org discoverycenter@gatesfoundation.org

Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund .................................................................. 49 Providing financial, estate planning and special needs services planning Statewide; 360-725-3125 or 1-888-754-8798 ddetf.wa.gov

Nurtured Village ............................................. 35 Meal delivery service committed to the well-being and unique nutritional healing needs of postpartum parents; featuring seasonal ingredients and locally sourced products

Delivery to Seattle-area families; 936-615-0430 nurtured-village.com katie@nurtured-village.com continued on page 36

Let us take care of you

Make life after baby easier with nourishing food delivered to your door! Nurtured Village is a postpartum meal delivery service created by a mom, curated by a nutritionist and crafted by a chef. We offer tasty and healthy meals that are appropriate for anyone but are specifically prepared to support the recovery and nutritional healing of postpartum parents.

Protecting and Improving the Health of People in King County

All people in King County — regardless of their income, ethnic background or ZIP code — should have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives.

Eastgate Public Health Center offers:

• Free/low-cost adult primary and pediatric care

• Pregnancy and new baby support

• Dental care on sliding fee scale without insurance

• Dental care for children & their parents (Medicaid-eligible) continued from page 34

Financial + Specialty Services

Washington College Savings Plans (WA529)

Helping families save with two flexible 529 plans GET (1-800-955-2318); DreamAhead (1-844-529-5845) wastate529.wa.gov

Washington State ABLE Savings Plan .......... 49 Providing people with eligible disabilities financial, estate and special needs planning services Washington state; 360-725-3125 or 1-844-600-2253 washingtonstateable.com

Mental Health

Childhaven

Early learning, early intervention and family counseling programs to prevent childhood trauma and create safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments

Puget Sound service area; 206-624-6477 childhaven.org info@childhaven.org

Consejo Counseling and Referral Service

Award-winning agency providing behavioral health services to the Latino community in the state of Washington

Multiple Washington state locations; main office: 206-461-4880 consejocounseling.org

Cooper House

Treating the social, emotional and behavioral challenges of infancy and early childhood, with signature programs

Serving Seattle/King County; 206-402-3168 cooperhouse.org info@cooperhouse.org

Eastside Psychological Associates

Independent practitioners serving the behavioral health needs of children, teens, adults and families

Bothell, Issaquah, Snoqualmie; 425-458-5048 eastsidepsychologicalassociates.com

Family Psychological Services of Kirkland

Collaborative of psychologists, therapists, ADHD coaches and tutors providing traditional therapy and assessment services, intervention for struggling students Kirkland; 425-576-1817 fpskirkland.com

FamilyWise Northwest

Evidence-based, therapist-led programs offered for parents and their children to address behavioral challenges

Greater Seattle and Eastside; 425-295-1705 familywisenw.com

Mindful Therapy Group

Like-minded collaborative of mental health-care specialists serving with compassion, experience Multiple Washington locations; 425-640-7009 mindfultherapygroup.com frontdesk.wa@mindfultherapygroup.com

THIRA Health

Solutions as unique as every patient, with an emphasis on sustainable journeys, whole-person treatment and dialectical behavior therapy Bellevue; 425-403-7715 thirahealth.com

Wellspring Family Services

Nonprofit organization providing a range of therapeutic services, including parent-child counseling, parenting consultation, and classes and workshops

Multiple King County locations; 206-826-3050 wellspringfs.org info@wellspringfs.org

Youth Eastside Services ................................

32

Providing children and youth, from birth to age 22, with mental health counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric services and early childhood support

Multiple Eastside locations; 425-747-4937 youtheastsideservices.org info@youtheastsideservices.org

Public Health + Human Services

King County Early Support for Infants and Toddlers

Offering a range of “birth-to-three” services and early learning and development programs to meet the needs of children and their caregivers King County; 206-204-3536 (toll free: 1-800-322-2588) kingcounty.gov

Public Health — Seattle & King County .......

35 Health-care services and resources for the entire family King County; 206-296-4600 kingcounty.gov

Washington State Department of Social & Health Services (DSHS)

Transforming lives through food, medical, housing, child support, mental health, disability and employment assistance services and programs Statewide; 1-877-501-2233 dshs.wa.gov