Child and Adolescent Psychiatry – What is it?
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry is a branch of healthcare that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders with children and adolescents. Psychiatry is different from mental health therapy in that psychiatry is more medically operational. If a diagnosis for a medication prescription is required for a suspected disorder, psychiatry is the branch of healthcare that will need to be consulted.
Who provides Child and Adolescent Psychiatry?
A Child or Adolescent Psychiatrist is the name of the medical physician trained to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for mental health disorders in children or adolescents. Whereas a Psychologist or Therapist is a licensed counselor who relies on talk therapy and cognitive methodologies for treatment solutions, only a Psychiatrist can prescribe psychiatric (psychotropic) medication.
Where is Child and Adolescent Psychiatry provided?
A Child-Adolescent psychiatrist may work at a medical or behavioral health hospital, a treatment facility, such as residential treatment or an outpatient clinic, a community mental health clinic or work in private practice. In most cases, a Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist can be recommended by your child’s mental health therapist, pediatrician or primary health provider. Your child’s school may also have recommendations for Child/Adolescent Psychiatrists.
How much does Child and Adolescent Psychiatry cost?
Cost for psychiatric evaluations and care varies based on many factors, primarily the complexity, involvement, and duration of a prescribed treatment. Without insurance, initial psychiatric consultations usually typically run $250 - $500 for a preliminary evaluation with subsequent sessions costing around $100 - $200.
Insurance with behavioral/mental health coverage, often covers at least a portion of psychiatric cost; however it is important to note that many insurance providers require a referral from a General Practitioner or Pediatrician, and in-network Psychiatrists will typically cost much less for families than out-of-network Psychiatrists. Other factors for consideration include the specific out of pocket deductible your insurance plan stipulates, co-pay fees, and potential co-insurance costs (the percentage you pay after any applicable deductible has been met).
Before scheduling an appointment, call your insurance provider and get educated about your specific plan coverage. When making an appointment with a psychiatrist, ask if he/she is in-network with your insurance or out-of-network with your insurance, and if they will file claims or you will be required to file claims with your insurance company.
Who should prescribe? Pediatrician vs. Child-Adolescent Psychiatrist
In many instances, parents may rely upon their pediatrician to diagnose and assist with providing the appropriate medication and care for a child’s mental health needs. It’s not uncommon for a pediatrician to address mental health diagnoses and medication related to depression and anxiety. But as appropriate, a pediatrician may refer prescription care and monitoring to other providers as they feel it is necessary. Some pediatricians are simply not comfortable prescribing psychiatric medication to children and teens and may refer parents to a Child-Adolescent Psychiatrist when certain medications are deemed to be an appropriate part of a child’s comprehensive treatment plan.
It is important for parents to note that many healthcare providers feel that Child-Adolescent Psychiatrists are the ones best equipped and trained to evaluate circumstances and prescribe or administer psychiatric medication, especially for children and adolescents whose minds are still developing. Alternatively, pediatricians typically have the advantage of understanding the child from a developmental perspective simply because they likely have been treating the child for many years already. Therefore, when the need to consider psychiatric medicine arises, it is best for parents to have a conversation with the Pediatrician related to who should be responsible for evaluating a mental health condition and prescribing psychotropic medication.
Alternatives to consider before seeing a child-adolescent psychiatrist
Parents who are hesitant to administer psychotropic medication to their child or adolescent may find it beneficial to seek additional opinions first, such as from a naturopathic psychiatrist or other holistic wellness expert.
Holistic psychiatry is a growing arena of mental wellness that focuses on the interconnectivity of the mind and body. In other words, there is reason to believe that there is a correlation between mental illnesses and physical and/or relational ailments. For example, gut health is understood to be closely associated with mood and anxiety disorders such as ADD/ADHD, and hormonal imbalances and toxic exposure is known to lead to learning problems, other mental health symptoms included in the diagnosis of depression, bipolar disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – all of which can impact relational and physical wellbeing. Even physical issues, such as PANDAS, can impact a child’s behavior and has been misdiagnosed as a mental health condition in some cases.
Before administering psychiatric medicine to your child or adolescent, some parents may prefer to try play therapy or other types of counseling first, and/or other more natural and holistic approaches under the guidance of their pediatrician, such as healthy changes in diet for blood sugar stabilization (something that is known to reduce anxiety hormones), consistent exercise, meditation, and switching to non-toxic products. Simple changes such as avoiding sugar and caffeine and spending more time in nature have proven to be very healing to many mental illness ailments.
Find a Child or Adolescent Psychiatrist
If you are concerned about your child’s behavior and/or mental health, make an appointment with your pediatrician to visit about your concerns.*
Visit www.KidsTherapyFinder.com and search our directory to find a Child/Adolescent Psychiatrist today. If you need any help or have any questions, contact Us, and we'll see if we can help!
*If you or your child is experiencing a mental health emergency, contact 911 or go to your nearest ER.
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