Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist

Washington Center for Women's and Children's Wellness (WCWCW)

Child, Adolescent, Women’s & Reproductive Psychiatry located in Bethesda, MD and offering Telehealth appointments in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Florida and Michigan

Early treatment and intervention can improve a child’s long-term mental health prospects. At WCWCW, our team of board-certified psychiatrists diagnoses and treats children & adolescents in our Bethesda, Maryland, office, or via telehealth for patients living in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida. Call our office or request an appointment online today.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Q & A

Why is emotional health important for my child or adolescent?

Anxiety and Mood Disorders are Increasingly Common in Children.

For our children to reach their fullest potential, we know that emotional health is as important as physical health. Psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, ADHD, and trauma are some of many mental health problems that impact emotional development in youth.

Additionally, environmental stressors such as social difficulties, academic problems, and ongoing family conflict can also have a significant impact.

At WCWCW, we work with children, adolescents, and their family members to combat common mental health problems, such as childhood depression, social anxiety, phobias, separation anxiety, and adjustment problems caused by young children and adolescents struggling in school, as well as other typical fears and worries.

Our specialized child psychiatrists and therapists offer age-appropriate treatment for children as young as 2 years old, teaching behavioral strategies and coping skills that reduce the symptoms of anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and other mental health disorders.

Children and adolescents are dealing with more anxiety and mental health problems than ever before; family, school, and social pressures are common.

While nervousness, fears, worry, and sadness are normal experiences for everyone, sometimes these experiences can be overwhelming and significantly impact a young person’s life. Up to 12% of children are affected by anxiety disorders, with symptoms often appearing in children as young as pre-school age.

When should I seek psychiatry treatment for my child or adolescent?

Seeking a consultation with a health professional, such as a child therapist, pediatric psychiatrist, or pediatrician can be very helpful when dealing with mental health issues.

These professionals can assess your child and direct you toward the appropriate resources, which could include individual therapy, family therapy, psychiatric services (including medication consultation), or psychological and neuropsychological assessment.

By beginning treatment when your child’s symptoms first appear, you improve their potential for a healthy life and empower your child to navigate life more easily.

It is important to seek treatment for your child or adolescent, should the following signs and symptoms occur:

My child avoids taking risks that other kids his age engage in
My child won’t go to birthday parties and avoids social situations
My child won’t speak to anyone outside the family
My child’s anxiety seems to last longer than his or her friends
My child is always worried and asking us for reassurance
My middle school age daughter won’t sleep over at a friend’s house
My child refuses to go to school for days at a time
My teenager is always complaining about headaches and stomachaches
My teenager’s doctor tells us he or she is anxious
My child is much more active than friends and he or she can’t pay attention in school
Your child may also have difficulty sleeping. His or her normal sleep patterns have been totally disrupted.
Your child may have excessive fears and phobias of specific things like dogs, thunderstorms, insects, or getting sick.
Your child’s behavior has changed. Your child seems less interested in activities that he or she used to be into. Or, he or she may be less engaged with family and peers than before.

WCWCW can help. Call our office or request an appointment online today.

Who do I turn to for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry?

WCWCW’s Child and Adolescent program includes highly trained child psychiatrists and therapists who provide evidence-based assessment and treatment. A typical assessment includes a focus on your child’s strengths and weaknesses in order to understand your child in the context of their environment, both at school and at home.

Our clinicians value the importance of ongoing clinical consultation with important figures in your child’s life. We regularly work with schools, pediatricians, and others in order to inform the most comprehensive and effective treatment.

Parent and Family Support
A positive treatment outcome is impacted by good family support. Parents are always included in our initial consultations and they are an integral part of a child or teen’s treatment. We recognize how important it is to teach parents and often the entire family the best ways to respond to your child or teen during their times of need

Parent support is often recommended with school-age children. Your child’s clinician can teach tools and strategies to support you in responding most effectively when your child becomes anxious or is acting out. Parents can come for their own treatment or as an adjunct to their child’s treatment.

To learn more about child and adolescent psychiatry, call the WCWCW office or request an appointment online today.