Bridging the Gap: A Conversation on Evidence-Based Care and the Future of Pediatric Mental Health
A Guest Post by Dr. Rebecca Kason & Dr. Belinda Bellet
Introduction by Dr. Rebecca Kason:
At Sage Mind Psychology, our mission has always been rooted in the "gold standard"—ensuring that every individual we see receives care backed by rigorous scientific research. But excellence in clinical work doesn't happen in a vacuum; it happens through community and shared vision.
Today, I am thrilled to sit down with a colleague I have long admired, Dr. Belinda Bellet, founder and chief psychologist of BHBA (Brooklyn Heights Behavioral Associates). Belinda is board certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and a tireless advocate for children and families. We sat down to discuss why evidence-based care is more than just a buzzword, and how we are working together to raise the bar for pediatric mental health.
Dr. Rebecca Kason: Belinda, it’s such a pleasure to do this. We’ve known each other through the clinical community for a while, but I’d love to start by hearing, in your own words, what drives the work you do at BHBA?
Dr. Belinda Bellet: Thank you, Rebecca! The feeling is mutual. At BHBA, what drives us is a "life worth living" philosophy. We specialize in high-acuity cases—kids, teens, and adults who are often struggling with intense emotional and behavioral dysregulation. What keeps me going is the belief that no matter how much a family is suffering, there is a clear, researched path out of that pain. We don’t guess; we follow the data, but we deliver it with a huge amount of heart and skill.
Dr. Kason: That’s exactly why our practices align so well. At Sage Mind Psychology, we focus heavily on CBT and DBT because we know they work. When it comes to kids, however, there’s a unique challenge. You can’t just treat a child in isolation. How does that shape your approach?
Dr. Bellet: You hit the nail on the head. Treating a child without involving the family system is like trying to fix a rudderless boat while it’s still at sea. At BHBA, we view the parents as essential partners. If we are teaching a teenager skills to manage a crisis, we also have to teach the parents how to respond effectively to those crises, so they don’t make things worse, reinforce the wrong thing and potentially make it better.. It’s about changing the entire emotional ecosystem of the home.
Dr. Kason: I love that term—emotional ecosystem. We see the same thing. In my work with younger children and those with neurodevelopmental differences, the environment is everything. We talk a lot about "Evidence-Based Practice," but sometimes parents find that intimidating. How do you explain the importance of EBPs to a parent who is just exhausted and wants their child to feel better?
Dr. Bellet: I tell them that evidence-based care is an insurance policy for their time and their child’s well-being. It means we aren't "trying things out" to see if they work; we are using tools that have been proven in clinical trials to reduce symptoms and improve lives. Especially for kids, development happens so fast. We don’t have time to waste on interventions that don't have a track record.
Dr. Kason: Exactly. It’s about ethics. If there is a treatment that is known to be effective, it’s our responsibility to provide it. One of the things I’ve always respected about your work is your commitment to the "Full Model" of DBT. Can you explain why that's so vital for the kids you serve?
Dr. Bellet: Absolutely. "DBT-informed" is a term people use a lot, but for a child in high distress, "informed" isn’t enough. The full model—individual therapy, skills groups, phone coaching, and the therapist consultation team—is what creates the safety net. It’s a 360-degree approach. It’s why we value our relationship with practitioners like you at Sage Mind Psychology; we know that when we refer a family or collaborate, they are getting that same level of clinical integrity.
Dr. Kason: Looking forward, what do you think is the biggest hurdle we face in pediatric mental health right now?
Dr. Bellet: Accessibility to high-quality care. There are so many families in need, and unfortunately, many are receiving therapy that doesn't actually target the behaviors or emotions that are causing the crisis. Our mutual goal is to keep educating the public: you should ask your provider, "What is the evidence for this treatment? What are our measurable goals? What are the expected outcomes?"
Dr. Kason: I couldn't agree more. It’s about empowering parents to be informed consumers of mental health care. Belinda, thank you for your dedication to these kids and for being a partner in this mission.
Dr. Bellet: Thank you, Rebecca! It’s an honor to do this work alongside you.
To learn more about Dr. Belinda Bellet and her work with children, adolescents, and adults, visit BHBA. For more information on evidence-based CBT and DBT services at Sage Mind Psychology, visit Sage Mind Psychology.