Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Treatment

What, Exactly, IS a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation?

Kara Emerson, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Evaluation by a child and adolescent psychiatrist is warranted for any child/teenager with emotional and/or behavioral problems that are interfering with their ability to thrive at home, school, or in other settings. A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) who completed full training in general psychiatry and two years of advanced training with children, teens, and their families. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can perform a comprehensive evaluation and develop a treatment plan that may include individual and family psychotherapy, behavior plans, lifestyle changes, nutritional changes, as well as prescribe medication if deemed necessary.

The comprehensive evaluation typically involves several hours over one or more office visits for the child and his or her parents/family. With parental consent other people may be contacted for additional information. Those individuals may include the pediatrician, teacher, therapist, extended family members or other adults who play a significant role in the child or adolescent's life.

As a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Wellness Solutions, I conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation that addresses and includes the following:


- description of present problem or concern and symptoms
- family's goals for the evaluation
- any history of past psychiatric or mental health treatment
- information about current health, illness, medications
- past medical history
- parent and family health as well as any family history of medical and psychiatric illnesses and treatments
- Information about child's development
- description of child's relationships with friends, family, other adults
- information about current functioning at school as well as previous academic history
- interview with the child/adolescent
- interview with parents or guardians
- an assessment of the child's and the family's strengths
- any blood tests, psychological tests, speech language evaluation or neuroimaging that may be indicated
- a review of any pertinent treatment records from past providers (physicians and/or therapists)

Once all the data has been reviewed, I will work together with the family to develop a formulation that includes a working hypothesis of the nature of the current problem, as well as the biological, psychological, social and developmental factors involved along with the family's strengths. If a treatable problem is identified, recommendations will be communicated as clearly as possible to the family. Additional collaboration with other health care providers, schools, etc. may be part of the treatment recommendations. The problem must be carefully defined and understood before the work toward health and wellness can begin.

Families often worry about how they will be viewed during the evaluation. At Wellness Solutions we are here to support families and to be your consultant and partner, not to judge or blame. We strive to listen to any and all concerns, and will continue to refine our understanding of the problems as well as the treatment plan thru careful collaboration with the child and his or her family. Patients and families should always ask for explanations of words or terms they do not understand to facilitate the healing process.