CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS

EVALUATION SERVICES

Initial Psychiatric Evaluation (3 Sessions, 45 mins each)

All initial psychiatric assessments of children and adolescents will consist of a comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic assessment conducted over 3 sessions: 

     1st Session: Parent Session

​            Both parents or legal guardians  should attend this assessment if possible to provide a

            comprehensive history about the child, as well as a detailed family history.

     2nd Session: Child/Teen Session

            Individual session to assess the child/teen.

     3rd Session: Assessment & Plan Session

​​​            Your family will be provided with the results of the assessment and all treatment

            recommendations, including a thorough discussion of risks and benefits of any

            psychotropic medications and/or psychotherapeutic treatments that may be

            recommended.

 

The comprehensive evaluation involves reviewing any relevant medical records or neuropsychological assessment reports, so please have any pertinent records or reports available.  The assessment may also involve obtaining collateral information from specific individuals involved in your child’s care.  This may include your child/teen’s pediatrician,  past or current mental health clinicians, teachers/school personnel, other family members, other caregivers, or other individuals with relevant information.  For some families, an extended evaluation process may be recommended beyond the first 3 sessions.  Any such recommendations will be discussed during the evaluation process.  Upon completion of the assessment, we will mutually decide together whether to proceed with treatment.

 

TREATMENT SERVICES

Medication Management

Follow Up (30 mins)

After the initial consultation and when medication may be indicated, the child/teen and at least 1 parent or legal guardian is expected to attend regular follow up sessions to review the child/teen's overall well-being.  Medications will be reviewed for effectiveness, side effects, and overall tolerability.  Any recommended changes in medications will be discussed in detail, including risks and benefits.  Parental consent is needed before a prescription is issued. 

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Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process that takes time and commitment by the entire family.  Parental involvement in regular weekly parent sessions is an essential component of the therapeutic process for children and adolescents and a requirement for all therapeutic services.

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Individual Psychotherapy (45 mins)

Ongoing weekly or multiple times per week therapy may be recommended to help the child/teen better understand their own emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, problem solve and learn ways to reduce or tolerate feelings of distress..  A combination of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, supportive, and play therapy will be used, and always integrated with evaluation for use of psychotropic medication, as well as their effectiveness, side effects, and overall tolerability if medications are prescribed.

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Parent Session (45 mins)

Regular weekly or multiple times per week parent sessions provide a dedicated time for parents to discuss new or ongoing concerns about their child/teen, and to collaborate with the therapist on ways to best support their child/teen.  It is also a safe space for parents to reflect on their own feelings around parenting and gain support for the impact on parents’ own well-being.  Exploration of how family dynamics may be contributed by and affect every family member will allow parents to strategize with the therapist ways to support the entire family.  Weekly parent sessions are required at the beginning and recommended to continue throughout the entirety of all psychotherapeutic treatments.  Frequency of parent sessions may be decreased in later stages of treatment, when appropriate and in consultation with the therapist.

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Family Therapy (45 mins)

Ongoing weekly family therapy may be recommended for families to explore family conflicts or communication difficulties.  Attendance must include the child/teen and at least one parent/caregiver, but may involve both parents, siblings, or other family members if indicated. Adult patients may also find it helpful to have occasional or regular family therapy sessions with specific members of the family, provided there is a consent given by the patient.