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COPE Program:
Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment

Pediatric Associates of Austin is now offering an in-office therapy program known as COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment). The goal of the program is to help children and teens with mental health struggles, such as anxiety and depression. We are passionate about mental health and want to offer more support for our patients and help them improve overall health and quality of life. 

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One out of every four children, teens, and young adults suffers from depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Yet, less than 25% receive adequate access to resources, tools, or treatment. 

The rates of depression and anxiety continue to rise and there is an inadequate number of mental health providers to meet this existing and growing need. Waitlists for many therapists and psychiatrists are months out and they often do not accept insurance. Thus, we wanted to provide an option for our patients and fill that gap.

Pediatric Associates of Austin launched the COPE program in April 2024. Since then, we have been providing individualized therapy to pediatric patients in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with the goal of building resiliency skills in children, teens, and young adults. 

Who is the COPE Program Intended For?

The COPE program is aimed at any Pediatric Associates of Austin patients ages 7-18 who may have mental health struggles, such as anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, etc. The program has also proven to have great benefits even for those without any specific mental health conditions or struggles.  

The focus of COPE is recognizing that we do not have control over things that happen to us, but we can have control over our thoughts, feelings, and responses. Even children without any current mental health struggles or concerns have had significant benefits, as the program prepares them with skills to cope with triggers or non-ideal situations they may be faced with in the future.

You do not have to have a formal diagnosis of anxiety, depression, or another type of mental health condition to benefit from COPE to be eligible for the program. COPE is for everyone and openings are available now!

Please note that this program is not intended for acute mental health crises, such as suicidal ideation or attempts. These are often medical emergencies.

Call 911 or our urgent nurse line for any necessary guidance. You can also text or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

FAQs About Our COPE Program

  • The initial appointment is focused specifically on getting to know the patient and parents, further discussing the program, the patient’s history and goals, and determining if the program will be a good fit.
  • Be sure to ask your pediatrician for more info about the program. 
  • Most children are an excellent fit for COPE.
  • Even if they do not have any specific struggles, they will be faced with things in the future and will have the skills to cope, process, and deal with situations in a healthy, constructive way. 
  • Many times, parents and families benefit as well. 
  • Many insurances cover this program or require a co-pay structure. Sessions are billed to insurance as office visits. 
  • The workbook will need to be purchased from our office at the first session for $25.
  • After the first missed appointment, any COPE appointments not canceled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the appointment time will be charged $25. 
    • The appointments are designated 60-minute time frames, so without providing our office with adequate notice, we are unable to allow that time to schedule other patients.
  • It is more structured, follows a workbook, and is completed over a set course of time.
  • Hands-on and involves practical approaches to change unhealthy thought patterns. 
  • Helps to develop skills, practice the skills, and incorporate healthy coping.
  • Involves brief assignments completed before the next session to continue building upon the formed habits. 
  • Involves making the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 
  • Focuses on learning and practicing new behaviors to cope with stress.
  • Many of our patients complete the COPE program in addition to their standard talk therapy.
  • Purchase of a workbook in the office that your child will need to bring every session. 
  • Completion of all activities and assignments prior to the next session. 
  • Consistency in scheduling sessions (typically bi-weekly) for the full seven sessions. 
  • Involvement and engagement in activities for the entire 45-60 minute session.
  • The patient must be up to date on the annual physical well-check.
  • Research has continually shown those who have completed the program have higher academic performance, lower levels of depression, decreased anxiety, improved positive outlook, more healthy lifestyle behaviors, and fewer problems with weight and obesity.


Find more info regarding COPE research study findings here: https://www.cope2thrive.com/intervention-studies-supportingcope-with-abstracts

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