Finally: No More Six-Month Waits for Pediatric Mental Health Care in Bucks County
Blackbird Health's newest location in Doylestown marked a significant milestone for families seeking pediatric mental health care in Bucks County.
Parents throughout Bucks County have been struggling with the reality of six-month wait times for autism evaluations and ADHD assessments for their children. Too many families know the stories: kids falling further behind in school while parents desperately search for help, long drives for appointments, and the impossible choice between waiting it out or watching a child struggle without support.
That’s exactly why Dr. Nicole Garber and her team at Blackbird Health chose our community. “Families here face a growing need for accessible pediatric mental health care,” explains Dr. Garber, the triple board-certified psychiatrist who serves as Blackbird’s Chief Medical Officer. “Demand for evaluations and treatment is rising across Pennsylvania, and communities like Doylestown and Langhorne have limited dedicated resources.”
What Makes Blackbird Different
What makes Blackbird’s approach particularly noteworthy isn’t just that they’re serving Bucks County families—it’s how they’ve completely reimagined pediatric mental health care. While other practices have families bouncing between different specialists across multiple appointments over months, Blackbird’s integrated model puts everything under one roof.
“Every new patient begins with a thorough evaluation, conducted virtually and facilitated by a psychiatric nurse practitioner, so we can quickly identify needs and match them with the right care team,” Dr. Garber explains. “Because our clinicians specialize across the full spectrum of pediatric mental health—including therapy, medication management, and evaluations for speech and occupational therapy—families are not left to find specialists on their own.”
This means no more playing phone tag with different offices, no more explaining your child’s story over and over to new providers, and no more wondering if everyone is actually talking to each other about your child’s care.
Real-Time Care When Bucks County Kids Need It Most
Here’s what makes Blackbird’s approach particularly impressive—their day-to-day flexibility. Dr. Garber describes it perfectly: “If I have a patient I see in a session today and they are struggling, I have the ability to go to that therapist’s schedule, see where they’re empty, and say, ‘I really need you to see this patient tomorrow.'”
Parents know that mental health challenges don’t follow a neat schedule. When a child is having a particularly tough week, waiting another month for the next appointment isn’t an option. This kind of responsive care is what families deserve.
Addressing Bucks County’s Unique Challenges
While Blackbird serves families across multiple states, Dr. Garber has noticed some distinct patterns here in Bucks County. “Families in Bucks County face many of the same mental health concerns we see elsewhere—ADHD, autism, anxiety, and depression—but the region’s rural, family-focused setting creates distinct challenges in simply accessing in-person care.”
The most common concerns bringing local families to Blackbird? ADHD testing, autism assessments, behavioral challenges, and anxiety. Increasingly, they’re also seeing requests for Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), especially for families with children under seven who are dealing with tantrums, defiance, or aggression.
“In these years following Covid-19, many parents are seeing more big feelings and tough behaviors in their young children,” Dr. Garber notes. “PCIT is in high demand because it not only improves behavior but also strengthens the parent-child bond and gives kids the best chance to thrive.”
Looking at the Whole Child
What sets Blackbird apart is their commitment to understanding each child completely. Rather than stopping at a single diagnosis, they look for co-occurring conditions that might be influencing behavior.
“Children’s challenges are rarely explained by a single diagnosis,” Dr. Garber emphasizes. “Kids are complex, and symptoms often overlap or hide underlying issues. Two children with the same diagnosis might need very different support, and this model ensures each child gets the right care for their unique situation.”
This holistic approach means looking at autism alongside potential speech or sensory needs, or recognizing that ADHD might be paired with anxiety. It’s about treating the whole child, not just checking boxes.
When to Seek Help
For parents wondering whether their child’s behaviors are “just a phase,” Dr. Garber offers this guidance: “The difference between typical and concerning behavior isn’t just what your child does, but how long it lasts, how intense it is, and how much it gets in the way of daily life and joy.”
Red flags include loss of interest in usual activities, ongoing sleep or appetite changes, excessive worry, or struggles across multiple settings—school, camp, social situations—beyond just home. “If these conditions last three weeks or more, we recommend seeking support,” she advises.
Partnering with the Local Community
Blackbird isn’t coming to Bucks County to work in isolation. They’re actively partnering with our local pediatric practices and schools. “Throughout our practice, nearly 70% of Blackbird patients come through word of mouth or referrals from local pediatricians, schools, and community partners who trust our care,” Dr. Garber shares.
During evaluations, teachers provide valuable insights through surveys, and when families want it, Blackbird providers can act as liaisons with schools to help set up meetings or discuss accommodations.
What to Expect at Blackbird Health Doylestown
Getting started with Blackbird is refreshingly straightforward. After filling out a form and verifying insurance, families schedule a 90-minute virtual New Patient Visit where the team gets to know both parents and child, gathering medical history and learning about current challenges.
Shortly after, families receive a clear summary and personalized treatment plan. If additional testing or specialists are needed, Blackbird connects families with their own clinicians in those areas—no more hunting down providers on your own.
A Mental Health Message of Hope
Dr. Garber’s advice for Bucks County families heading into the new school year offers practical wisdom for parents navigating these challenges:
“There is no downside to seeking more information or support about a mental health concern. Sometimes problems can take a few weeks or months to surface from teachers or grades, so when in doubt, reach out for a screening.”
Having Blackbird Health in Doylestown means local children no longer have to wait months for the support they need. For families who’ve been searching for accessible, comprehensive care, this represents a meaningful step forward in addressing the mental health needs of Bucks County’s youngest residents.
Ready to learn more? Bucks County families can visit BlackbirdHealth.com or call (484) 202-0751 to schedule a New Patient Visit.
Photos courtesy of Blackbird Health, as seen in the Fall Education Guide.
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