Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health

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Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health, Psychologist, 319 S Tyler Street, Covington, LA.

Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health is deeply committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based evaluation and treatment services that maximize the well-being of children, adolescents, and their families.

09/30/2026

One of the most valuable skills children can develop isn't tied to a specific diagnosis, subject in school, or stage of development.

It's a growth mindset.

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities, skills, and challenges are not fixed—that with practice, persistence, and support, we can continue to learn, improve, and grow.

Children who develop a growth mindset are more likely to approach challenges with curiosity, view mistakes as opportunities to learn, and build resilience when things don't go as planned.

That's why fostering a growth mindset is an important part of so much of the work we do in therapy. Whether a child is working through anxiety, ADHD, behavioral challenges, or difficulties at school, learning to say "I can't do this...yet" instead of "I can't do this" can have a lasting impact far beyond childhood.

In this video, Dr. Elise McIver explains why helping children develop a growth mindset is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in their long-term emotional health and success.

When we see a child struggling behaviorally, it's easy to focus on what we can observe.They're interrupting.They're argu...
09/15/2026

When we see a child struggling behaviorally, it's easy to focus on what we can observe.

They're interrupting.
They're arguing.
They're refusing to do homework.
They're melting down.
They're acting impulsively.

But beneath every behavior are developmental skills we can't always see.

Skills like impulse control, emotional regulation, attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory continue to develop throughout childhood and adolescence. When these skills are still emerging—or when a child is struggling in one or more of these areas—it can affect how they respond to everyday situations.

Rather than asking, "Why won't my child behave?" it can be helpful to ask, "What skill might my child be struggling with?"

That shift in perspective doesn't eliminate the need for expectations or boundaries. It simply helps us better understand behavior so we can teach the skills children need to be successful.

Understanding the "why" behind behavior is often the first step toward meaningful, lasting progress.

08/27/2026

When parents think about supporting their child's mental health, it's natural to focus on the bigger concerns.

But sometimes, the most important place to start is with the fundamentals.

💤 Adequate sleep.
🏃‍♀️ Regular physical activity.
🍎 Nutritious meals.
💻 Healthy limits around screen time.

These foundational habits play an important role in a child's emotional regulation, attention, behavior, learning, and overall well-being. While they are not a substitute for professional care when it is needed, they often provide the foundation that allows children and adolescents to function at their best.

Dr. Elise discusses why these everyday habits remain some of the most powerful ways parents can support their child's mental health and why, in today's fast-paced world, they're easier to overlook than ever.

Small, consistent changes in these foundational areas can have a meaningful impact on a child's overall health and well-being.

If your child has come home from school this week more emotional, more irritable, or simply exhausted, you're not imagin...
08/13/2026

If your child has come home from school this week more emotional, more irritable, or simply exhausted, you're not imagining it.

The first few days of a new school year can be a lot... even for children who are excited to be back.

Throughout the day, children are learning new routines, meeting classroom expectations, navigating friendships, paying attention, transitioning between activities, and managing their emotions. That's a tremendous amount of mental and emotional energy, especially after a more relaxed summer schedule.

It's not uncommon for children to come home needing extra time to decompress. For some, that may look like wanting quiet time. For others, it may look like tears, frustration, or a meltdown over something that seems small.

The good news is that, as school routines become more familiar, many children begin to settle in and these behaviors often improve.

In the meantime, keeping evenings as calm and predictable as possible, with consistent routines, adequate sleep, and time to unwind, can help support a smoother transition.

If you're concerned that your child's struggles are continuing beyond the normal adjustment period or seem to be interfering with daily life, Keystone Center for Pediatric Behavioral Health can help determine whether additional support may be beneficial.
https://keystonecenterpbh.com/

07/23/2026

Summer often brings a welcome break from the structure of the school year. Bedtimes may get pushed back, schedules become more flexible, and daily routines can look a little different from month to month... or even day to day.

While that flexibility can be fun, children and adolescents still benefit from having some level of predictability in their lives.

Consistent routines help children know what to expect, create a sense of security, support emotional regulation, and often contribute to a calmer household overall. Even simple routines around wake-up times, meals, activities, and bedtime can make a meaningful difference.

In this video, Dr. Elise discusses why consistency in routines and schedules remains so important, even during the more relaxed days of summer.

As families begin preparing for the transition back to school in the coming weeks, this can also be a great time to gradually reintroduce routines that help children feel confident, regulated, and ready for the change ahead.

Many parents have experienced the frustration of addressing the same behavior over and over again without seeing lasting...
07/07/2026

Many parents have experienced the frustration of addressing the same behavior over and over again without seeing lasting change.

A child loses screen time for arguing with a sibling. They argue again the next day.

A child is sent to time-out for hitting. The behavior continues.

A privilege is taken away for refusing homework. The struggle persists.

This can leave parents wondering: Why isn't the consequence working? 🤷‍♀️

While consequences and boundaries are important, they do not always address what is driving the behavior in the first place.

For some children, challenging behaviors may be linked to difficulties with emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, communication, anxiety, attention, or other developmental skills that are still emerging.

When we focus only on stopping the behavior, we may miss an opportunity to understand what the child needs to learn in order to respond differently next time.

The goal is not simply to make a behavior disappear. The goal is to help children build the skills they need to navigate challenges, manage emotions, and be successful across settings.

Sometimes the most important question is not, "How do I stop this behavior?"

It's, "What might my child be struggling with right now?"

If challenging behaviors are becoming a frequent source of stress at home, a comprehensive evaluation can often provide valuable insight into what may be contributing to those difficulties and how best to support your child moving forward. https://keystonecenterpbh.com/evaluation/

06/14/2026

Children do not learn emotional regulation solely through instruction. They learn it through observation.
This means that our children are constantly learning from us... not just through what we say, but through how we respond to everyday situations.

Research in child development and behavioral psychology consistently demonstrates that children learn by observing and internalizing the emotional and behavioral patterns modeled by the adults in their environment. The way we handle frustration, stress, disappointment, and conflict becomes part of the framework they use to manage those same emotions themselves.

That is why seemingly small moments matter so much:
- How we react when we are running late.
- How we respond to frustration in traffic.
- Whether we put our phones away at dinner.
- How we calm ourselves after a difficult moment.

Dr. Elise discusses the importance of leading by example in parenting, and why children benefit far more from self-aware, intentional adults than from “perfect” ones.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping children develop the tools to navigate their own emotions, relationships, and frustrations in healthy and appropriate ways — and that learning often begins by watching the adults around them.

On , this serves as an important reminder that children are constantly learning not only from what adults say, but from what adults consistently do.

For many families, summer break is associated with freedom, fun, vacations, and less stress. ☀️But for some children, th...
06/03/2026

For many families, summer break is associated with freedom, fun, vacations, and less stress. ☀️

But for some children, the transition into summer can actually feel overwhelming.

Changes in routine, sleep schedules, structure, expectations, social dynamics, and daily predictability can significantly impact a child’s emotional regulation, behavior, anxiety levels, and overall sense of stability... particularly for children who thrive on consistency and structure.

Parents may notice:
• increased irritability
• difficulty with transitions
• emotional outbursts
• sleep disruptions
• withdrawal
• increased anxiety
• boredom that quickly turns into frustration

These responses are not necessarily “bad behavior.” Often, they reflect a child having difficulty adjusting to a major change in routine and regulation.

This does not mean children should not enjoy the flexibility of summer. Rather, it is a reminder that maintaining some level of predictability, structure, and emotional support during transitions can be incredibly beneficial for many children and adolescents.

If your child begins to struggle with emotional or behavioral changes during seasonal transitions, it can be helpful to look beyond the behavior itself and consider what underlying stressors, skill deficits, or changes in regulation may be contributing.

05/20/2026

It’s easy to put yourself last as a parent.
But your wellbeing matters more than you think.

When you’re running on empty, physically or emotionally, it becomes harder to show up the way you want to for your child. And that’s not a reflection of who you are… it’s a signal that you might need support, too.

Taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish.
It’s foundational.

Whether that looks like getting enough rest, moving your body, leaning on your support system, or simply giving yourself a little more grace, those small choices make a meaningful difference.

Because when you feel more like yourself…
you’re able to give your best to the people who matter most.

“It’s just a phase.”Sometimes it is. But sometimes, it’s something more.Children don’t always have the words to explain ...
05/07/2026

“It’s just a phase.”
Sometimes it is. But sometimes, it’s something more.

Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling, so it often shows up in their behavior instead.
Irritability. Defiance. Withdrawal. Changes at school.
Big emotional reactions.

These aren’t just “bad behavior.”
They can be signs that a child is overwhelmed, anxious, or struggling in ways that deserve attention and support.

On , it’s worth taking a moment to pause and ask:
Is this something they’ll grow out of… or something they need help through?

You don’t have to figure that out on your own.
That’s what we’re here for. 🤍

If something feels off, even if you’re not sure what it is, reach out. Let’s talk it through and figure out what support could look like for your child.
https://keystonecenterpbh.com/contact/

Address

319 S Tyler Street
Covington, LA
70433

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19852340228

Website

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