It’s normal for teenagers to experience occasional anxiety and moodiness, but when these feelings become overwhelming, it may be time to seek professional help. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health and can provide treatment for those with mental illnesses.
It can be difficult for teenagers to find a psychiatrist that they feel comfortable. When your teen is uncomfortable with a doctor, it can negatively impact the effectiveness of treatment. If you are unsure of what to look for in a psychiatrist for your teen, here are some key things to keep in mind.
1.) Board Certification
Make sure the psychiatrist you’re considering is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) is the gold standard for practicing psychiatrists in the United States. Only doctors who have met psychiatry residency requirements and passed rigorous examinations are given board certification.
2.) Experience Treating Adolescents
It’s important that the psychiatrist you choose has experience working with teenagers specifically. Look for a psychiatrist with training in the treatment of children and adolescents. Adolescents often require different care than adults due to their unique developmental needs. A psychiatrist who undergoes advanced training has the expertise needed to treat your teen effectively.
3.) Experience Treating Your Teen’s Specific Issues
Is your child dealing with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, body dysmorphia, or an eating disorder? Some psychiatrists have more experience treating patients with certain conditions than others, and you want a psychiatrist with a lot of experience treating your teen’s specific condition.
4.) Accepts Your Insurance
Make sure the psychiatrist accepts your insurance plan or is highly flexible with payment plans. It’s always best to call ahead and verify coverage before making an appointment. This way, you have a clear understanding of what out-of-pocket costs are expected of you.
5.) Provides Medication Management Services
If your teen is prescribed medication as part of their treatment plan, you’ll want to make sure that their psychiatric provider offers medication management services. This includes regular check-ins on how they’re doing, monitoring side effects, adjusting dosages as needed, etc.
6.) Has Flexible Hours and Scheduling
Psychiatrists that offer flexible scheduling make it much easier for your teen to get the treatment they need. There are many psychiatrists that only offer daytime, in-person appointments, while others can meet at times that fit seamlessly within patients’ lives – even offering virtual visits.
Experienced Psychiatrist for Teenagers in Denver and Lakewood, CO
Denver Wellness Associates is your best choice for top-notch, compassionate psychiatric services for your teen. Dr. Jeanne Theobald is our board-certified psychiatrist who is most experienced in treating adolescent patients with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, gender identity issues, mood regulation issues, ADHD, phobia, trauma, and more.
We show our deep commitment to your mental health by providing services such as genetic medication matching and medication management services, which affect the duration of treatment, ensuring your teen takes the best medication that is most likely to work for them and closely monitoring its effects. We also make it easy to receive mental health services by offering flexible scheduling and payment plans.
For any questions or to schedule an appointment with us, call or text (720) 724-3668, email us at info@denverwellness.com, or use our convenient online request form. We look forward to providing your teen with compassionate and customized mental health services.
