Psychiatric Care for Adolescents
We provide psychiatric care for adolescents ages 13 to 17. Adolescence brings its own clinical considerations: identity development, academic pressure, social dynamics, and the early presentation of conditions that may look different than they do in adults. Our evaluation and treatment process accounts for all of this.
How Care Is Tailored for Adolescents
Tailored intake and assessments
The adolescent intake includes developmental history, school history, and age-appropriate assessment tools. The evaluation also considers the social and emotional context specific to adolescence. Pre-visit assessments are selected based on what you share during intake, so your teenager's evaluation time is focused and relevant.
Parent or guardian at the evaluation
A parent or guardian must be present for the adolescent's evaluation. While we also speak with the adolescent directly, parental input is essential to building a complete clinical picture. The evaluation includes both perspectives.
Balancing privacy and involvement
Adolescents need some autonomy in their care. We work with families to find the right balance between parental involvement and the adolescent's developing independence. This balance may shift over time as treatment progresses and trust is established.
Family psychoeducation
Parents are educated alongside the adolescent. Understanding the condition and treatment plan helps the whole family support progress. When everyone understands what is happening and why, care is more effective.
Collateral information and school coordination
With your consent, we may gather information from teachers, school counselors, or other providers. When relevant, we communicate with schools to support your teenager's needs in the educational setting.
Medication considerations
Adolescent prescribing accounts for developmental factors, and monitoring is closely maintained. Medication is one part of the treatment plan, always combined with psychoeducation, lifestyle strategies, and family involvement. We discuss all options with you and your teenager before prescribing.
TMS for adolescent depression
For adolescents with treatment-resistant depression, TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is FDA-cleared and available at our practice. The psychiatrist evaluates all TMS candidates directly.
Learn more about TMS for adolescent depression →Conditions We Commonly Treat
Depression
A persistent mood disorder that goes beyond ordinary sadness, affecting energy, concentration, and daily functioning.
Learn moreAnxiety
Excessive, persistent worry that interferes with daily activities, relationships, and physical well-being.
Learn moreADHD
Difficulty sustaining attention, controlling impulses, and regulating activity levels in daily life.
Learn moreOCD
Recurring unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors that feel impossible to stop, disrupting daily life.
Learn moreBipolar Disorder
Dramatic shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels — from emotional highs to depressive lows.
Learn morePTSD
Lasting emotional and physical reactions to traumatic experiences, including flashbacks and hypervigilance.
Learn moreEach condition page explains how we evaluate and treat that condition across all age groups. Your teenager's provider tailors the approach based on developmental stage and individual needs.
Our Care Model
The same care model applies to adolescents as to all of our patients: a standardized, evidence-based evaluation process, providers trained and supervised by the psychiatrist, and psychiatrist review of all new patient treatment plans. The process is tailored for your teenager's age and developmental context, but the quality framework is the same.
Learn more about our approach →Common Questions
The evaluation includes both parent or guardian input and direct conversation with the adolescent. As care continues, we work with your family to find the right balance of privacy and parental involvement.
That is common, and our providers are experienced in working with reluctant adolescents. The evaluation process is designed to be conversational, not confrontational. Many teenagers become more engaged once they feel heard and understand that the process is collaborative.
Yes. TMS is FDA-cleared for adolescent depression. The psychiatrist evaluates all TMS candidates directly. See our TMS for Adolescent Depression page for details.
Only if it is clinically appropriate. We discuss all options with you and your teenager, and medication is always part of a broader plan that includes psychoeducation, lifestyle strategies, and family involvement.
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