Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology

If your child has any of the following signs, their primary care physician can refer them for consultation if necessary:

• Frequent headaches or stomachaches with no known cause
• Frequent tantrums or mood swings
• Inability to sit quietly
• Lack of interest in playing with other kids or struggling to make friends
• Sleep issues, like sleeping too much or too little, or frequent nightmares
• Struggling academically or sudden drop in grades
• Talking often about worries or fears

For adolescents, signs include:

• Avoiding social activities
• Destructive behavior
• Drinking or using illegal drugs
• Excessive dieting or exercising
• Loss of interest in activities they enjoy
• Low energy
• Self-harm, such as burning or cutting
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Suicidal thoughts

Patients who are hospitalized for medical reasons can also receive planned or urgent consultation. Indicators include:

• Complex diagnostic problems
• Delirium or disruptive behavior interfering with medical treatment
• Suicidal behaviors
• Trouble coping with major or chronic medical illnesses, such as transplantation, cancer and cardiac surgery

24/7 Assistance

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

Our child and adolescent mental health specialists treat a wide range of behavioral and mental health issues, including:

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Behavior problems
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Outpatient treatment is recommended in most cases. Treatment can include:

• Individual psychotherapy: For children, psychotherapy/counseling includes teaching skills for the child to practice between sessions at home and tracking progress over time.
• Family therapy: Family members are often included in treatment so they can understand the child’s challenges and how relationships might be affected.
• Group therapy: Groups usually include young people of similar ages, giving them a chance to communicate and interact with each other in a safe environment.
• Medication: This may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, stimulants or others.

These treatments can be combined based on the needs of each patient and family. We also provide parental training and guidance in behavior management as part of many treatment plans. This can help parents learn strategies for managing difficult behaviors and how to support their child.

Both psychiatrists and psychologists can provide psychotherapy, also called talk therapy. However, psychiatrists are medical doctors, while psychologists have doctoral degrees in psychology. Generally, psychologists treat patients through psychotherapy and behavioral therapy, while psychiatrists prescribe medications. At Ochsner, our team includes experienced child psychologists and psychiatrists.

If you believe your child needs a psychologist or psychiatrist, talk with your child’s pediatrician to see if they have recommendations. Many times, your pediatrician will already have a relationship with behavioral health experts and can recommend someone who meets your child’s needs. You can also speak with friends or family members who have needed behavioral health services for their child to get recommendations.

It’s recommended to consult a pediatric psychiatrist if your child experiences long-term emotional distress, noticeable changes in behavior or difficulty coping with life changes, such as parental separation or school challenges. Early help can provide coping strategies and improve overall well-being.

By addressing these key topics, Ochsner Health aims to empower parents with reliable information to make informed decisions about their child’s health and development. If you'd like personalized advice, reach out to one of our pediatric specialists today.

Signs of anxiety in children can include persistent worry, trouble sleeping, avoiding social activities, difficulty concentration and physical symptoms like stomachaches. If these behaviors interfere with daily life, like missing school or not participating in extra-curriculars, seeking professional advice from a pediatric psychologist is recommended.

A child psychologist is a mental health professional who helps children, adolescents and teens learn how to cope with their lives and other issues that may affect their mental health. They can help treat mental, emotional, social and behavioral health concerns

A child psychologist is a mental health professional who specializes in helping children, adolescents and teens with issues ranging from emotional to social and even behavioral, using various techniques like therapy and evalutions.