Green helps children, families cope with behavior problems

How many people can say that their favorite part of work is getting hugs?

Aaron Morrison/staff photographer

Dr. Christine Green of Morphis Pediatric Group Child and Adolescent Behavior Services, which opened in October, works to help children with behavior problems and their families. Getting hugs from her patients is part of the job that she especially enjoys.

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Not too many, but for Christine Green, a doctor at Morphis Pediatric Group Child and Adolescent Behavior Services, this is a regular part of her day.

Green believes that there was a definite need for a practice such as this in Lancaster. She sees patients from all over the county and surrounding areas.

The practice opened in October.

Green has been interested in the behavioral sciences since she was in medical school when she worked with a behavior developmental pediatrician. Her interest really sparked when both of her boys, Alex, 13, and Todd, 10, were diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Alex was diagnosed first at age 5.

“I have always loved doing behavior sciences,” Green said. “Anything that impacts a child’s ability to grow and develop normally.”

At the practice, Green deals with all types of childhood-related problems, including ADHD, anxiety, school phobias, bipolar, depression, learning disabilities and drug abuse.

The office also offers counseling and advice for parents on all types of issues, including toilet training.

Green said the typical first appointment with new patient lasts an hour. This allows plenty of time for the doctor to talk with the parents and get a family history so the doctor can pinpoint any problems and possible causes.

“We screen for all different issues that could cause behavior problems,” Green said. “No one answer fits every child, you figure out what is going to work best.”

Green believes the most important part of her job is making a positive difference in a child’s life. Her goal is to get her patients happy, successful and learning.

She gets excited when her patients come back and she learns they’re doing better in school, as she believes it shows she’s making a positive difference in a child’s life.

She believes her personal experience helps her with understanding in her job.

“Having two children with ADHD, I can relate to the parents, I understand what it is like,” Green said.

Green plans to add a counselor full time to work with children and their families and is interested in starting a support group for her patients.

Teresa Ormand, a mental health therapist, refers patients to Green for additional help. She and Green work together to address mental-health needs in children.

“I am really glad she has opened it up to help serve the children of Lancaster County,” Ormand said.

Morphis Pediatric Group Child and Adolescent Behavior Service is located at 404 W. Meeting St. The phone number is 313-2343.