Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who also have a degree in professional psychology. They work with children and adolescents who have mental health difficulties that may have a biological reason. For instance, some children and adolescents who have an anxiety disorder, a mood disorder or schizophrenia may have an imbalance in the level of certain neurotransmitters (see full Glossary) in the brain. They may need medication and psychotherapy to treat their mental illness. Child and adolescent psychiatrists:

• Assess the child’s mental health through a series of tests, which include psychological tests, interviews and observations;
• Diagnose a child with a mental illness, such as schizophrenia;
• Offer a psychotherapy plan which could include the child as well as his or her family;
• Offer psychotherapy services, individually or in a small group setting;
• If and when appropriate, prescribe medication;

Child and adolescent psychiatrists may serve on a child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) (see full Glossary) team.

For more information about child and adolescent psychiatrists, please visit the birth to six section of this course.

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