Methodist Family Health

04/16/2026

We're celebrating a special milestone for our Jonesboro team! On April 8, Methodist Children’s Behavioral Hospital - Jonesboro welcomed its very first pet therapy visit.

Meet Janet Baugh Ortman and her therapy dog, Paydge, who are helping bring this meaningful program to life. Registered through Pet Partners, this duo is already making an impact, bringing comfort, calm, and connection to the children we serve.

We're so grateful to Janet and Paydge for being part of this exciting beginning and volunteering their time!

04/15/2026

A career with Methodist Family Health is more than a job. It's a chance to make a lasting impact. We're hiring for a variety of roles that support children, youth, and families statewide.

04/14/2026

Special thanks to Jonesboro Public Schools for having our Methodist Children's Behavioral Hospital Clinical Director Sarah Sumpter share su***de prevention tips with staff and parents.

Pictured L to R:
- Bridgette Cossey Craig, Methodist Family Health NEA Business Development Director
-Mandy Zipfel, Jonesboro District Improvement Specialist
-Sarah Supter
-Von McDaniel, District Mental Health Coordinator

Special thanks to Sarah Sumpter, Clinical Director at Methodist Children’s Behavioral Hospital, for speaking at our parent “Lunch & Learn”. The topic was “Seeing the Signals: A Parent Conversation on Su***de Prevention.”

04/13/2026

Losing a loved one is difficult for everyone, and grieving is vital to accepting painful feelings and establishing a new sense of normalcy. Camp Healing Hearts is for children in Arkansas, ages 5 to 18, and their families who are mourning the loss of a loved one. Families have opportunities to discover their inner strength through therapeutic activities like fishing, swimming, crafts and heartfelt conversations.

Thinking of applying? There are 100 spaces available and the application deadline is April 24.

04/11/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to give back in Central Arkansas? Volunteers needed!

Arkansas CARES in Little Rock is currently seeking female volunteers to support mothers in recovery and their children. Volunteers will help assist staff with caring for infants and children while moms attend therapy sessions and parenting education programs. This can look like reading to children, playing games, doing art projects, and more.

Training will be provided and you'll be helping support stronger, healthier families.

Please click the link to complete this form.

04/10/2026

April is National Volunteer Month, so we're celebrating the incredible pet therapy volunteers who bring joy to the children in our care! Meet Debbie McCullough, one of the pet therapy volunteers at our Methodist Children's Behavioral Hospital in Maumelle.

Debbie and her dog, Akedah, help create a calm environment for the kids in our care. Debbie and Akedah give kids a chance to relax, open up, and just be themselves.

We're so grateful for volunteers like Debbie for sharing kindness with every visit. All of our pet therapists are certified through Pet Partners!

04/09/2026

Our team has had the pleasure of connecting with other mental health providers through some recent conferences - the Social Work Action Coalition last week and the School Based Health Alliance of Arkansas earlier this week.

Our mobile assessors and community liaisons are there not only in times of crisis, but also alongside families every step of the way, offering guidance and support until long-term mental health care solutions are in place. These conferences help us link families to support systems that continue to help long after our services begin.

04/07/2026

At Methodist Family Health, we offer outpatient services statewide through our Methodist Counseling Clinics. Our outpatient therapists provide trauma-informed care to help children, teens and families navigate challenges when life feels overwhelming.

Today, we're introducing Keith Whaley Jr., LMSW, one of the dedicated therapists at our Little Rock Counseling Clinic. Keith has three years of experience working with children and teens. He provides services both in the clinic and at Williams Elementary.

Keith is trained in a variety of therapy approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) as well as individual, group, and family therapy.

Outside of his work, Keith enjoys lifting weights, playing basketball, running, golfing and gaming.

Our outpatient clinics accept most private and public insurance, including Medicaid and PASSE. Do you want to schedule an appointment with Keith? Please call 501-537-3991 to make an appointment.

04/06/2026

We're excited to introduce our Business Development Team—the team behind the scenes helping children and families across Arkansas access our critical behavioral health services. The team connects Methodist Family Health with referral partners and community members so care reaches the people who need it most.

Meet Amanda Pierce, Director of Business Development! With more than 23 years of experience in behavioral health, Amanda plays a vital role building relationships that expand access to care across the state. Before joining Methodist Family Health, she served as a physician liaison and then transitioned into behavioral health, working in adult psychiatry, substance use disorders, and child and adolescent programs.

For the past 14 years with MFH, Amanda has been a trusted resource for referral partners and a steady guide for families, helping them navigate the path to care.

04/03/2026

Some of the MFH business development team attended the Arkansas Juvenile Officers Association spring conference in Branson Missouri.
Our partnerships with juvenile officers across the state are incredibly important to our mission. They are on the front lines, building relationships with youth and families and identifying needs early. Because of their dedication and trust in our services, we’re able to step in at critical moments and provide the care and support that can truly change a young person’s path.

04/01/2026

You may know about our recently-opened Methodist Children's Behavioral Hospital in Jonesboro, but did you know we also have a Methodist Children's Behavioral Hospital in Maumelle?

These hospitals are part of the complete, statewide continuum of care provided by Methodist Family Health for Arkansas children and their families. At each location, we offer acute inpatient treatment. Our Maumelle hospital provides both acute and subacute care for children and adolescents ages 3 to 17 experiencing psychiatric crisis.

03/31/2026

Did you know we have outpatient mental health services available statewide through our Methodist Counseling Clinics? These clinics include school- and community-based locations to bring a holistic, trauma-informed, team approach to more Arkansans and to make it easier for families to get the help they need for children and youth struggling with psychiatric, behavioral, emotional, learning and traumatic issues.