Mission:

At Child and Teen Solutions, we deliver evidence-based mental health care with creativity and compassion. We believe that caregivers are the agents of change when it comes to child and teen mental health. We build on existing strengths in the family to promote lasting emotional growth. We also work to counter misinformation about child development and parenting, equipping caregivers with strategies that truly support change. 

Vision:

We envision a Seattle where families are empowered with accurate, compassionate guidance about how to support their child’s mental health. By refining short-term interventions and challenging harmful myths, we aim to expand access, reduce stigma, and strengthen outcomes across our community. We envision a community where neurodivergent and gender-diverse children and teens are not only supported but celebrated, and where mental health care contributes to a more just and inclusive society.

Values:

 1.   We Learn with Humility

We exercise humility, knowing there will always be things that we don’t know we don’t know. We question our assumptions, our practices, our knowledge. We remain open to rethinking the status quo. Curiosity is our compass. As mental health professionals, we commit to a “beginner’s mind” and lifelong growth. We are always learning, always evolving.

2.   We Speak with Intention

We recognize that what we say and what we write has impact. We strive for professionalism and authenticity in our communications: With each other, with colleagues, and with the families we serve. We function as a team, where “we” often transcends “I.” Within our team, we practice candor, knowing that it’s essential to our growth and integrity as a mental health collective. 

 3.   We Care with Heart

Services at CATS stand out because we go beyond diagnosis. In our evaluation reports, we describe children and teens in ways that lead families to feel, “They really get our child.” It’s this openness of heart that allows us to truly learn about a child and their family. We embrace ambiguity, because there is rarely a single “right” answer. We choose the most compassionate and constructive conceptualizations, the ones that we feel will best buffer a child’s mental health vulnerability. We lean into nuance and sensitivity in every recommendation, every intervention, every word.

4. We Affirm Diversity and Justice

We recognize that every child and teen brings unique strengths shaped by their neurodivergence, identity, and lived experience. We commit to gender-affirming care and to practices that dismantle stigma and inequity. Our work is guided by social justice values: amplifying voices that have been marginalized, advocating for inclusive systems, and ensuring that families feel seen, respected, and empowered.

5. We Grow Together

We believe that supporting children and teens begins with supporting the professionals who care for them. Our team culture is built on mentorship, transparent career pathways, and opportunities to expand skills in ways that align with each person’s strengths and passions. We invest in professional development and celebrate milestones, knowing that when our team thrives, our families and community benefit too.