The Science Behind the Care: 3 Reasons Alliance Chose MATCH for Memphis Children in Crisis

Why we chose the evidence-based curriculum powering the new Children & Youth Wellness Center

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When your child is struggling, the last thing you want is a one-size-fits-all approach.

That is why Alliance Healthcare Services selected the MATCH curriculum as the treatment model for its new Children & Youth Wellness Center in Memphis.

MATCH stands for Modular Approach to Therapy for Children, and it represents a fundamental shift in how clinicians treat young people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges.

Here is what Memphis families should know about this approach and why it matters.

Most Kids Do Not Show Up With Just One Problem

Traditional therapy models were designed to treat one condition at a time. There is a protocol for anxiety. A separate one for depression. Another for trauma.

But children rarely arrive with a single, neatly defined diagnosis.

A child experiencing post-traumatic stress may also struggle with anxiety. A teenager dealing with depression might act out in ways that look like a conduct problem. In a crisis setting, these overlapping needs are the norm, not the exception.

Nationally, about half of children and teens with mental health disorders do not receive treatment, and the untreated share can be as high as 80% for specific conditions such as anxiety disorders.

When they do reach care, rigid single-disorder protocols can mean delays, restarts, and referrals from one specialist to another.

MATCH was built to solve this problem.

What Is MATCH?

MATCH was developed by Bruce Chorpita, Ph.D., at UCLA and John Weisz, Ph.D., at Harvard University. It combines 33 proven therapeutic techniques into one flexible system that clinicians can adapt to each child's unique needs.

Think of it like a clinician's toolbox. Instead of following a fixed script for one condition, a therapist trained in MATCH can draw from modules that address:

• Anxiety (relaxation, gradual exposure, coping skills)

• Depression (activity scheduling, problem-solving, cognitive restructuring)

• Trauma (safety planning, trauma narrative, processing)

• Conduct and behavioral challenges (praise, rewards, limit-setting, problem-solving)

The system uses clinical flowcharts to guide decision-making. If a child's needs shift during treatment, the clinician adjusts course using a different set of modules rather than starting over with an entirely new protocol.

This is especially important in a crisis stabilization setting, where the length of stay may be shorter and treatment needs can change rapidly.

How MATCH Compares to Traditional Treatment

The difference comes down to flexibility and responsiveness.

With a traditional approach, a clinician follows a structured protocol designed for one diagnosis. If a child has overlapping conditions, the therapist must choose which to treat first. If new symptoms emerge, treatment may need to restart with a different protocol entirely.

With MATCH, the clinician works from one integrated system. They can shift between modules as the child's needs evolve, addressing anxiety one week and trauma processing the next, all within the same treatment framework.

Research backs up this approach. In studies conducted across 22 provider agencies, results showed:

• 85% of children demonstrated significant improvement

• Caregivers reported high satisfaction with the treatment process

• 663 children received MATCH-based care across participating organizations

These outcomes came from real-world community settings, not controlled lab environments, which makes them especially relevant to how Alliance will use MATCH at the Children & Youth Wellness Center.

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3 Reasons Alliance Chose MATCH

The Children & Youth Wellness Center at 602 Malcomb Street is a 10,000-square-foot facility with 15 crisis stabilization beds serving young people ages 4 through 17.

It is the second phase of Alliance's Crisis Wellness Campus, which includes the adult Crisis Wellness Center on Broad Avenue.

So why MATCH? Here are the three reasons Alliance's clinical leadership selected this curriculum.

Reason 1: Crisis Care Demands Flexibility

Young people arrive at the center in different stages of distress with different underlying conditions. One child may present with anxiety and trauma. Another may show signs of depression alongside behavioral challenges.

A modular system lets clinicians respond in real time rather than forcing a child into a single treatment track. In a crisis stabilization setting where needs can shift quickly, that flexibility is essential.

Reason 2: It Covers the Conditions That Bring Kids to Crisis Care

Anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges account for the vast majority of youth crisis presentations. MATCH was designed specifically for these four areas.

That means clinicians are not borrowing techniques from an unrelated protocol or improvising. Every module in the system was built for the problems most likely to walk through the door.

Reason 3: Alliance Invested in Training From Day One

Alliance did not just purchase a curriculum. Under the leadership of Dr. Kiersten Hawes (Director) and Dr. Mallory Mitchell (Medical Director), the clinical team is using a train-the-trainer model where the clinical manager trains therapists and staff using both hardcover materials and online training modules.

The center will also incorporate DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) elements for adolescent patients, giving clinicians an even broader range of tools. MATCH is not an add-on. It is the foundation of how the center will operate.

If you are ready to learn more or need help now, call (901) 369-1410 to connect with Alliance Healthcare Services.

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What This Means for Memphis Families

In Shelby County, more than 1 in 3 high school students have reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. More than 1 in 5 have seriously considered suicide. Source:

These numbers reflect a real and growing need for youth-focused crisis care in our community.

The Children & Youth Wellness Center will offer:

• Walk-in crisis evaluations, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Crisis stabilization with age-appropriate programming

• Therapeutic groups, recreation, and academics during stays

• Family involvement and discharge planning to connect families with ongoing outpatient services

The MATCH curriculum means that from the moment a young person walks through the door, clinicians have a proven, flexible framework to meet them where they are and adapt as their needs become clearer.

You do not need insurance to access care. Alliance accepts TennCare, Medicare, and most major insurance plans. Sliding-scale fees and the Mental Health Safety Net Program are available for those who qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MATCH therapy?

MATCH stands for Modular Approach to Therapy for Children. It is an evidence-based treatment system that combines 33 therapeutic techniques to help children and teens ages 6 through 17 with anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral challenges. Instead of following a rigid protocol for one condition, MATCH lets clinicians adapt treatment to each child's specific needs.

What ages does the Children & Youth Wellness Center serve?

The center serves young people ages 4 through 17, organized by developmental stage (elementary, middle school, and high school age groups).

Do I need insurance to bring my child?

No. Alliance accepts TennCare, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, Wellpoint, United Health Care, and Aetna. Sliding-scale fees are available, and the Mental Health Safety Net Program helps those who qualify. View our Insurance and Payment Options

Do I need a referral?

No referral is needed. Walk-in crisis evaluations are available 24/7.

How long will my child stay?

Length of stay varies based on each child's needs. The goal of crisis stabilization is to help your child feel safe and stable, then connect your family with ongoing outpatient care.

Is MATCH the same as regular therapy?

MATCH uses the same proven techniques found in traditional therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The difference is how those techniques are organized. Instead of separate protocols for each condition, MATCH integrates them into one flexible system so clinicians can respond to whatever a child needs.

Where is the Children & Youth Wellness Center located?

602 Malcomb Street, Memphis, TN. It is part of the Alliance Crisis Wellness Campus.

Help Is Available Now

If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, you do not have to navigate it alone.

Alliance Healthcare Services Crisis Line: (901) 577-9400 (24/7)

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

To schedule an appointment or learn more about Alliance's children and youth services, call (901) 369-1410.