Child Psychiatric Services

Child psychiatric services are provided by child psychologists, child psychotherapists, and child psychiatrists in an area. These professional practitioners are dedicated to providing psychological health care for children and adolescents and to developing integrated care plans for their families. They offer comprehensive child psychiatric services that combine the most effective behavioral and educational therapy, social work, and medical care. These professionals have an obligation to provide accurate, reliable, and current information to parents and families about child psychiatric services and their solutions for various needs.

Professional organizations provide comprehensive psychosocial assessments and child therapy as part of their organizational duties. The child psychologist should have expertise in family-wide preventive child care, developmental disorders, young-onset Alzheimer's disease, substance abuse and addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders. He should be a master of family therapy, child psychology, or child clinical skills. Generally, all these professionals go through extensive training in child behavior modification methods, cognitive-behavioral therapy, child psychology, developmental biology, interpersonal communications, neuropsychological assessment, nutritional assessment, and medical supervision.

Professional child psychiatric services in any area can be categorized into three general areas. One is that of community mental health and counseling services, the second is that of specialty mental health and counseling services, and the third is that of intensive therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. In addition, professional services in any area include alcohol and drug counseling, correctional instruction, vocational education, occupational therapy, and therapy as a part of general treatment. Some of these professionals also perform testing services, although these services vary with the jurisdiction and focus of each state.