Children & Teens
Growth, at any age, can be challenging. Since children and teens are literally in the throes of growth, they face many new experiences and feelings each year, month, and day! This rapid change, when accompanied by emotional and behavioral struggles, can be especially difficult to navigate.
Our goal is to help children and teens identify what is troubling them, get to the root of the issue, and develop strategies that will help them cope and feel better, and reach their full potential. We use treatments based in science with clear track records of success.
Some of our most effective therapeutic treatments to help young people feel their best are:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Therapy
- Solution-based Therapy For A Variety Of Problems
- Parent Coaching
- School-Based Consultative Services
Our experts develop a clear plan for each child/teen. We believe in forming partnerships to offer a healing, supportive environment. We always fully respect parents’ ability to decide what is best for their child and family as detailed by Dr. Laura Paret here.
USP’s Approach To Child and Teen Psychology and Psychiatry
- Comprehensive evaluation process to learn about the following:
- Development
- Life experiences
- Strengths and interests
- Social relationships
- School history
- Family dynamics
- Formulate an accurate diagnosis
- Identification of issues
- Feedback and treatment plan recommendations
- Treatment begins typically 1x per week for 45-minute sessions
- Depending on the child’s needs and goals, a combination of the child, parents, and/or other family members may be present
- If the child or teen is having difficulties at school, we may seek parental permission to collaborate with teachers and school staff. Our aim is to ensure that treatment plan strategies used at home and school are in sync.
Medication
Dr. Jessica Stack directs the USP Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Program. Dr. Stack, a child psychiatrist, provides comprehensive care for children and teens struggling with a wide variety of issues. Our approach to psychiatry respects each family’s own goals and values.
We strongly believe that the choice to take, or not take, medication is in the hands of the family. For some issues, such as ADHD, medication is considered a highly effective first line treatment. For many others, therapy is often utilized before making a decision about medication. In either case, we will always be upfront about our professional recommendation, but respect a family’s decision and tailor treatment to fit those wishes.
