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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Columbia What Parents Should Expect
- Moe | Scarlet Plus
- Dec 8
- 7 min read
If you are a parent in Columbia who is hearing the words Child and Adolescent Psychiatry for the first time it can feel scary. You may not be sure what will happen at the visit or what it means for your child. This guide walks you through what to expect from child and adolescent psychiatry in Columbia so you can feel more prepared and less alone.
At Caritas Behavioral Health Services in Columbia MD child and adolescent psychiatry focuses on understanding your childs mood behavior and thinking and then building a plan that fits your family.
Why child and adolescent psychiatry matters
Mental health in childhood is just as important as physical health. It affects how children learn make friends and handle stress at home and at school. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that early diagnosis and access to care can change the path of many childhood mental health conditions by improving daily life for both children and families. (CDC)
The National Institute of Mental Health explains that a full evaluation by a mental health professional can help clarify what is going on and guide the choice of treatment when needed. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Child and adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors with special training in how mental health conditions show up in young people. They can
Listen to your childs story and your concerns
Diagnose conditions such as anxiety depression attention deficit hyperactivity disorder autism spectrum disorder and others
Offer treatment options including therapy referrals and medication when needed
The goal is not to label your child forever. The goal is to understand what is making life hard and to offer tools that help.
When parents in Columbia should consider an evaluation
It can be hard to know what is typical and what might be a sign of a deeper problem. Every child has bad days. Still some changes deserve closer attention. Warning signs listed by national mental health experts include strong or lasting changes in mood behavior or school performance that interfere with daily life. (National Institute of Mental Health)
You may want to seek child and adolescent psychiatry in Columbia if you notice
Big mood swings that do not match the situation
Ongoing sadness irritability or worry that lasts many weeks
Sudden drop in grades or refusal to go to school
Problems with focus that make it hard to finish work or follow directions
Frequent anger outbursts or aggression
Trouble sleeping or strong changes in appetite
Withdrawal from friends family or favorite activities
Talk about death self harm or not wanting to be alive
If you are worried about immediate safety call emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Understanding child and adolescent psychiatry
Child and adolescent psychiatry is different from adult psychiatry because it looks at development as well as symptoms. Young brains are still growing. Stress at school changes in family life and medical conditions can all affect behavior.
A child and adolescent psychiatrist in Columbia will look at
Your childs age and stage of development
Family history of mental health or medical conditions
School setting and supports
Strengths as well as challenges
At Caritas Behavioral Health Services in Columbia MD child and adolescent psychiatry is part of a larger team that treats conditions such as anxiety mood disorders attention deficit hyperactivity disorder trauma related conditions sleep problems and more. (Caritas Health Services)
What to expect before the first visit
Most families start with a phone call or an online request for an appointment. At Caritas Behavioral Health Services staff will ask a few simple questions about your childs age main concerns and where you live in Maryland. This helps match you with the right provider and decide whether to begin with telehealth or in person care.
Before your appointment you may receive
Basic forms about medical history and current symptoms
A request for school reports or past testing if available
Rating scales that you and sometimes teachers can fill out
Taking time to gather this information helps the psychiatrist see the full picture of your childs life. National guides for parents from the National Institute of Mental Health also suggest writing down your questions and tracking when problems are better or worse so you can share clear examples. (National Institute of Mental Health)
What happens during the first child and adolescent psychiatry visit
Getting settled
When you arrive in person at the Columbia clinic or connect by telehealth your provider will start by helping your child feel safe. Child friendly explanations can lower anxiety such as saying that this doctor helps kids and teens with feelings thoughts and behavior and that there will be no shots or blood draws. This approach is also recommended by pediatric mental health centers across the country.
Talking together and alone
A first visit is often longer than a regular follow up. It may include
Time with you and your child together to hear both of your views
Time with your child alone so they can speak freely
Time with you alone to review history and questions
The psychiatrist will ask about
Current symptoms and when they started
Sleep appetite and energy
School progress and friendships
Events at home such as moves losses or family health changes
Past treatment or medications
Based on guidelines from national mental health agencies a good evaluation looks at both emotions and behavior and may use checklists or questionnaires to make sure important areas are not missed.
Possible tests and rating scales
Some children benefit from simple paper or online forms that rate symptoms of anxiety depression attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other concerns.
These tools do not replace a conversation but they help track progress over time. In some cases the psychiatrist may suggest medical tests through your childs primary care provider if there are concerns about sleep thyroid function seizures or other conditions that can affect mood and behavior.
Making a plan
By the end of the visit you should have
A clear summary of what the psychiatrist thinks is going on
A working diagnosis when it is possible to give one
A first plan for treatment
Treatment might include
Therapy with a counselor or psychologist
Skills based parent coaching
School supports such as a learning plan
Medication when benefits are likely to outweigh risks
To help parents understand choices the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association offer free Parents Medication Guides that explain common medicines in plain language. (AACAP)
You will also talk about how often to follow up and how to reach the clinic between visits.
Telehealth and in person options in Columbia MD
Telehealth has become an important way for families to access child and adolescent psychiatry. Studies and large clinics report that for many children online visits can work as well as in person care especially for follow up and for conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
At Caritas Behavioral Health Services
Telehealth evaluations are available for children and teens who live anywhere in Maryland
In person visits for treatment take place in Columbia MD
A telehealth child psychiatry visit usually includes
Connecting by secure video from your home
Making sure both you and your child can see and hear the provider
Review of symptoms and history just like in an office visit
Time for your child to speak alone with the clinician if appropriate
Many parents like telehealth because
Travel time is shorter
Children can stay in a familiar setting
It is easier to fit appointments into work and school schedules
Some situations still call for in person care such as complex physical health issues or the need for closer safety checks. Your provider will help decide what mix of telehealth and office visits is safest.
How parents can support their child
You are a key part of treatment. Small steps before and after visits make a big difference. Mental health groups for children suggest the following simple actions.
Before the appointment
Explain in simple words why you are going
Let your child know there are no shots
Bring a list of questions and concerns
Pack a favorite book or quiet activity for waiting time
After the appointment
Follow the plan you made with the psychiatrist
Keep a log of sleep appetite mood and behavior
Praise your child for small steps forward
Stay in touch with the care team if problems change or side effects appear
If your child is given medication follow all instructions closely and never stop or change doses without speaking to the prescriber. The Parents Medication Guides mentioned earlier can be a helpful extra resource.
Why choose local child and adolescent psychiatry in Columbia
Choosing a child and adolescent psychiatrist in Columbia offers several benefits
Shorter travel from home school and activities
Easier coordination with local schools pediatricians and therapists
Knowledge of local community resources and support groups
Caritas Behavioral Health Services is based in Columbia MD and serves children and teens from the city and nearby communities. The clinic provides evidence based child and adolescent psychiatry with telehealth evaluation for families across Maryland and in person treatment visits in Columbia. (Caritas Health Services)
The team can help with conditions such as
Anxiety and panic
Depression and mood disorders
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Trauma related conditions
Sleep problems that affect mood and focus
You can explore the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry service page at
Taking the next step
If you are thinking about child and adolescent psychiatry in Columbia for your child you have already taken a brave first step. Paying attention to your childs mental health is an act of care not a sign of failure.
Reach out to Caritas Behavioral Health Services in Columbia MD to request a child and adolescent psychiatry evaluation either by telehealth for families in Maryland or in person at the Columbia clinic for treatment. With the right support many children and teens feel better do better in school and grow into healthy confident adults.
