Finding a child and adolescent psychiatrist may feel a daunting task. However, the process can be broken down into simple steps you can take to ensure your childreceives the most effective care possible. Keep reading to learn these steps, and where you can go in Richmond, VA, to get the best psychiatric care for the child or adolescent in your life.
Seek Professional Guidance
To find the appropriate support for your child’s needs, seek guidance from a health professional that you have an existing relationship with, such as your primary care provider. They should be able to recommend to you to a psychiatric service that is right for your needs. In many cases, they can also make a referral to the service for you, helping to take the pressure off you.
Other routes to finding an appropriate psychiatrist could include a recommendation from somebody you trust, such as a friend, relative, or work colleague. You could also seek guidance via your child’s school, social services, children’s services, or other health agency.If you plan to use your health insurance, check with your insurance company for a list of covered psychiatrists (which may be available on their website).
Do Some Local Research
Research any potential psychiatrists or mental health services online to check that they provide the services and treatments you are looking for. In addition, verify that the providers have the appropriate skill, experience, and accreditations to ensure high-quality care. Some providers may offer additional services at their office. Depending on your needs, services such as telepsychiatry (online appointments), community stabilization services,addiction recovery programs, and other services may be advantageous.
If you are researching online, ensure you use reputable websites to help you, such as the American Psychiatric Association website, the American Medical Association, or the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, which have access to a directory of certified psychiatrists and therapists in your area.
CallYour Insurer
If you are planning to use insurance, check in advancewhether or notyou need a referral from your physician orifthere are any restrictions in your plan. This help to prevent any delays in treatment and any unexpected costs.
Schedule A Visit
Arrange a consultation with the psychiatrist to ensure your child feels comfortable with them and that they are able to address your child’s needs effectively. Your psychiatrist will see your childwhen they are at their most vulnerable, so finding a provider that your child can talk to comfortably and build a good rapport with is very important.
After the appointment, assess whether the psychiatrist and other members of staff were welcoming, respectful, knowledgeable, and responsive, and whether they took the time to understand your child or adolescent’s individual needs. You may want to ask your child some questions after your visit, such as:
- Were theynonjudgmental and easy to talk to?
- Did they make youfeel at ease?
- Would you feel comfortable sharing personal details with them?
As the parent/legal guardian, you may want to ask yourself:
- How soon did I get an appointment?
- Did they explain the treatment process and address my questions and concerns?
- Did they explain the process clearly in a way that I understood?
- Was the psychiatrist’s office convenient and easy to get to?
If you or your child did not feel comfortable with the psychiatrist or didn’t feel that they addressed your concerns effectively, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere.
What To Consider When Choosing A Psychiatrist
You may want to consider whether there are particular aspects that are important to youor your child when choosing a psychiatrist, such as the location of the provider, whether they are accessible by public transport, whether your child would be more comfortable with a male or female provider, or whether the psychiatrist offers specific provisions such as extended opening hours, telehealth, or same-day appointments.
What EPIC Health Partners Can Offer
At EPIC Health Partners, we provide comprehensive psychiatry services for children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing issues that are impacting their ability to manage day-to-day life.
Our highly-skilled providers take a person-centered approach to ensure each clientreceives the most appropriate care for their unique psychiatric health needs.
To do this, we carryout a thorough psychiatric evaluation for each new client. Our providers identify important factors that determine the type of care the client needs, such as the type and severity of the mental health problem, age, and whether there are any underlying or co-occurring physical health or substance abuse problems.
Once the main concerns are identified, we offer a range of effective, evidence-based therapeutic interventions aimed to help clients lead happier and healthier lives. We take a holistic approach to treatment, focusing on all areas of a client’s life to help them develop coping strategies and skills so they can better manage their own health and well-being.
Treatment may include psychoeducation regarding disorders, medication management, counseling services, and care coordination, with regular psychiatric follow-up. In particular, outpatient therapy can help individuals discover their strengths, explore their options, and develop effective strategies to address each challenge in their lives.
We offer our services both onsite and via telehealth to effectively meet our clients’ needs and to make sure they receive active and consistent communication with one of our licensed psychiatrists.
How Do I Access Psychiatric Care at EPIC Health Partners?
EPIC Health Partners accept referrals from a variety of sources including:
- Self-referral
- A family member or friend
- Primary care physicians
- Schools
- Department of Social Services
- Office of Children’s’ Services (CSA)
- Managed care organizations
- Other behavioral health agency
- Foster care agencies
- Community partners
- Juvenile detention center
Psychiatrist, Richmond, VA
If your child or adolescent could benefit from psychiatric support, don’t delay, contact EPIC Health Partners today. With sites across Virginia in Danville, Martinsville, and Richmond, as well as telepsychiatry services, we are able to offer the convenient,high-quality, compassionate care you child deserves, wherever you need it.
Our team of highly experienced professional counselors, social workers, and dedicated supporting staff provide a comprehensive range of mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. We provide therapeutic interventions using evidence-based practices to address your child’s individual needs.
To find out more about our psychiatric services or to apply for treatment, contact EPIC Health Partners today at (434) 835-4601, or use our convenient and secure onlineappointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
