The Congenital Heart Center team includes inpatient and outpatient social workers who are available to all patients and families receiving care in the Congenital Heart Center and offsite clinics. Our social workers provide support in various ways, some of which include: 

• Emotional support, counseling, and strategies for coping with illness
• Connecting patients and families to local, state, and national resources
• Promoting communication between health care teams, patients, and families
• Assisting with travel coordination and lodging options for hospital visits
• Assisting with insurance challenges and aiding in problem-solving other barriers to care and treatment, such as financial, housing, and transportation needs

To connect with a Congenital Heart Center social worker, ask your medical provider for a consult. Social workers may contact you as part of your regular care, but you can also request social work support at any time.

Our Congenital Heart Center pediatric psychologists provide assessment and therapy to children, teens and young adults in and out of the hospital setting to address a number of things, including:

• Coping with illness
• Anxiety or sad mood
• Behavioral challenges
• Adherence to medical treatment
• Pill swallowing and procedural preparation
• Patient and family impact of illness

Many psychology visits can now occur virtually, increasing our ability to provide important mental health care. Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological assessments for our patients are also available through our renowned Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Clinic.  

In addition to the psychologists working in the Congenital Heart Center, the Division of Pediatric Psychology at Michigan Medicine offers many specialized clinics to meet the needs of patients and families. Some of these specialty clinics include focus on chronic and severe pain management, weight management, sleep, toileting and feeding. If interested in arranging a visit with pediatric psychology, please ask your cardiology clinician for a referral. 

If interested in arranging a visit with pediatric psychology, please ask your cardiology clinician for a referral or contact Pediatric Psychology at 734-936-4220 to request an appointment with our M-COPE Cardiac Psychology team. 

The Child & Family Life team is made up of trained professionals with expertise in helping reduce the stress and anxiety associated with hospitalization and illness. Child life will be available to you throughout the Congenital Heart Center, including cardiology clinic, inpatient 11W care and the Pediatric Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (PCTU). Some of the services we offer include:

• Procedural preparation and support
• Tours before surgery or hospitalization
• Coping tips and tools
• Art, music, creative activities, and other positive distractions
• Memory making and bereavement support

Our Congenital Heart Center education specialist and hospital teachers work alongside our medical teams to serve as the bridge between the medical setting and the school community. They can assist patients and families with: 

• Navigating school challenges
• Obtaining educational services (IEP and 504 Plans)
• Return to school plans 

To meet with our education specialist, please ask your cardiology clinicians or social worker to help connect you.

Our parent/caregiver and patient mentors have lived with congenital heart disease and heart illness. They understand the emotional challenges and the toll it can take on the patient and family members. All mentors are volunteers at Michigan Medicine who have received training on being a mentor. Our mentors: 

• Provide a listening ear and emotional support
• Provide helpful information, guidance and care management strategies
• Offer a network of peers to help those experiencing a health issue to not feel alone
• Host virtual opportunities for connection

To connect with a Congenital Heart Center peer mentor, ask your cardiology clinician, social worker or psychologist to assist with arranging a visit or phone call. 

Our Congenital Heart Center has partnered with the Perinatal & Reproductive Psychiatry Clinic to embed parent/caregiver mental health support and therapeutic interventions into fetal and early childhood cardiac care. Our Congenital Heart Center perinatal psychiatrist meets parents where they are and when they need support most – from fetal diagnosis to inpatient cardiac admissions. Visits can occur at the child’s hospital bedside or virtually. 

For more information or to schedule with the M-COPE Perinatal Psychiatrist, please ask your Congenital Heart Center social worker for a referral.