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Psychiatry - child and adolescent

Psychiatry care for children and adolescents ages 5-17

Your child may benefit from psychiatric services if they are presenting with behavioral or developmental challenges that affect how they think, feel and act.

Learn more

Comprehensive child and adolescent psychiatry at Allina Health

Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the mental health of children and adolescents. Allina Health psychiatrists are experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental health conditions that include, but are not limited to:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • ADHD
  • Eating disorders
  • Trauma-related disorders
  • Substance use disorders
  • Psychosis
  • Developmental disorders

Our team of experts see patients in several locations including in our primary care clinics and hospital-based clinics. We also offer virtual visits to ensure you can get help no matter where you’re located.

Expert care every step of the way

Wherever you are on your journey, our psychiatrists rely on the latest evidence to:

  • Diagnose: Identify mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and more.
  • Treat: Develop and implement treatment plans, which may include medication, therapy or a combination of both.
  • Consult: Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, schools and social agencies to ensure your child is getting the care they need.
  • Involve family: Work closely with parents, caregivers and other family members to support your loved one’s mental health and overall well-being.

As part of a full continuum of mental health and addiction services, including inpatient services, partial hospitalization programs and after school programs, our psychiatric team works closely with other specialists to ensure your child receives the right level of care even if their diagnosis or care plan changes.

What to expect during your first visit

Seeing a child psychiatrist for the first time can feel overwhelming, but our goal is to make you and your child feel safe, heard and supported. During the first appointment, the psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner will gather information about your child’s needs so they can create the best treatment plan. You can expect us to:

  • Gather information: We will ask about your child’s symptoms, emotions, behaviors, development, medical history, family dynamics and more.
  • Observe and interact: Our team will observe how your child interacts and responds during the session. If age-appropriate, we will ask questions directly to your child or give them simple tasks to understand how they think and feel.
  • Provide preliminary diagnosis and treatment plan: While the first session is mainly for information gathering, we will still provide an initial assessment. Additional sessions may be needed to clarify specific diagnoses. We will also discuss a tentative treatment plan, which may include medication.
    • If medication is recommended, we will explain why and help answer any questions.
  • Answer questions: You will have time to ask any questions such as what might be causing your child’s difficulties, what future sessions may look like and what resources are available to your child within the Allina Health system.
  • Plan next steps: Our team may recommend further assessments, medication, therapy, school support or a follow-up visit.

To make your first visit as successful as possible, we ask that you please do the following:

  • Bring any school reports, past evaluations or medical records
  • Write down concerns or questions you want to discuss
  • Let your child know they are coming to talk to someone who helps kids feel better

The child/adolescent and the parent/guardian/caregiver are both required to be present at the first appointment.

Insurance coverage

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers will cover psychiatry services. For questions, check with your insurance provider.

Related links

Source: Allina Health Mental Health & Addiction Services
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hackenmueller