Child Psychiatrist

It’s sometimes hard for parents to know when a child is developing a mental health or behavioral condition rather than exhibiting normal behaviors, especially during adolescence. The licensed therapists at Desert View Counseling & Consulting in Phoenix and Peoria, Arizona, can help if you’re worried about your child. The practice’s experienced child psychiatrist excels at assisting young people to improve their mental health. Call your nearest Desert View Counseling & Consulting office or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

What is child psychiatry?

Child psychiatry is a mental health specialty catering to the specific needs of children and young people before they reach adulthood.

Children are equally as vulnerable to mental health problems as adults and require expert treatment from professionals skilled in helping young people with psychiatric disorders.

Developmental and behavioral disorders also become apparent in childhood, making school and home life even more challenging for children, their teachers, and caregivers.

Desert View Counseling & Consulting has an expert child psychiatrist who specializes in helping children and adolescents.

What disorders does a child psychiatrist treat?

Psychiatric disorders that are most common in children include the following:

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Many children and adolescents have more than one mental health problem. For example, your child might suffer from ADHD and depression or have an eating disorder and OCD.

When should parents contact a child psychiatrist?

Signs indicating your child might have a mental health problem include:

• Falling grades
• Refusing to go to school
• Hyperactivity
• Uncontrollable anger
• Continual sadness and hopelessness
• Avoiding social interactions
• Difficulties sleeping
• Losing interest in activities they enjoy
• Self-harm
• Risk-taking behaviors
• Frequent nightmares
• Verbal or physical aggression
• Memory and concentration problems

Each child and family is unique, so there are no hard and fast rules about consulting a child psychiatrist. As a guideline, you might consider child psychiatry if your child is often miserable or low, if problematic behaviors happen frequently, or if they struggle at school.

Desert View Counseling & Consulting uses comprehensive age-appropriate psychological assessments to determine what problems your child is facing. The evaluation might include digital or gamified activities tailored to your child’s developmental level.

What treatments does a child psychiatrist use?

Child psychiatrists often recommend psychotherapy, which involves a skilled therapist talking with older children or using games and activities to engage young children. These approaches help to find the root cause of your child’s problems so they can receive appropriate treatment. Parent education and support are also vital.

In some cases, medication might be appropriate; for example, stimulants can be invaluable in managing ADHD symptoms. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) could be helpful, especially for trauma. NeuroStar® transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, effective option for over-15s with treatment-resistant depression.

You can be sure your child is in safe hands with the Desert View Counseling & Consulting team. Call the office or book an appointment online today to get the help your child needs.