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 Mental
Health
What
kind of mental health professionals are trained to help children?
Many
types of specialists are available to help children and their families
with mental and behavioral problems. With your permission, your child's
doctor can coordinate care to make sure that the needs of your child
and family are met. It's important that there is clear communication
between everyone involved in your child's health care.
Mental and behavioral
health specialists include the following (note: license and practice
requirements may differ from state to state):
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Child
and adolescent psychiatrists are medical doctors trained to diagnose
and provide a full range of treatment for emotional and behavioral
problems, as well as psychiatric disorders. They can prescribe medicine,
if needed. Child and adolescent psychiatrists also have additional
training in treating children, teens, and families.
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Clinical
psychologists are licensed doctoral (PhD)-level specialists trained
to diagnose and give psychological tests. They are trained to treat
learning, behavioral, and emotional problems such as depression,
anxiety, and conduct disorders, and adjustment problems related
to medical illnesses. Some have expertise in caring for children
and teens.
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Master's-level
psychologists or mental health counselors are master's-level specialists
trained to give psychological tests. They also counsel individuals
and families. In some states, they may be independently licensed
to work and are known as psychologists. In other states, they may
work only if supervised by a doctoral-level licensed psychologist
or psychiatrist.
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School
psychologists are doctoral or master's-degree specialists who work
with children at school. They evaluate and counsel children with
learning, emotional, and behavioral problems.
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Licensed
clinical social workers are master's- or doctoral-trained specialists
who specialize in diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral
health problems. They also counsel children and families. Licensed
clinical social workers help families deal with physical, mental,
or emotional illness and disability. They may teach problem-solving
and coping skills.
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Developmental-behavioral
pediatricians are trained to help children with developmental, learning,
emotional, and behavioral problems. They help children and families
manage problems that involve childhood illness or disability. Developmental-behavioral
pediatricians can prescribe medicine, if needed, and typically work
with other doctors and counselors to meet families' needs.
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Adolescent
medicine specialists are medical doctors with additional training
in the care of teens and their families. They help teens and families
with common teen problems such as eating disorders, alcohol and
drug use, depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity
disorder.
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Child
neurologists are licensed doctors trained to diagnose and treat
children with problems of the nervous system. They assist in determining
whether a child has a brain condition that affects learning and
behavior and what treatment is best. Child neurologists can prescribe
medicine and have experience prescribing medicines for brain conditions
and behavioral problems.
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Nurse
practitioners with advanced psychiatric training are advanced practice
nurses specializing in diagnosis and treatment of problems with
feelings and behaviors. They typically work with a psychiatrist.
Nurse practitioners can evaluate your child, prescribe medicine
if needed, and provide a full range of treatments for mental and
behavioral problems.
-
Alcohol
and drug abuse specialists are trained to evaluate and treat alcohol
and drug abuse problems in children, teens, and families. They may
be physicians, psychologists, social workers, or counselors with
special interest and training in addiction.
-
Other
mental health professionals include counselors, nurses with specialized
training, and family therapists who have expertise in helping children
and teens with mental health problems. They can also help families
provide support and care for their children.
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Community
mental health resources include mental health professionals and
services offered through health departments, public mental health
programs, religious organizations, nonprofit counseling agencies,
colleges, and medical centers.
-
Family
organizations and support groups are local and national organizations
offering a range of resources including brochures, books, or information
posted on the Internet; public speakers and conferences; and support
and advocacy groups.
Other resources
for you and your child
Your child's doctor
may suggest other resources if you don't have health insurance, if
your health care plan doesn't cover mental health care, or if your
health care plan doesn't provide enough mental health coverage to
meet your family's needs.
In some communities,
mental health centers or family service agencies charge based
on what you are able to pay. Medicaid and the State Children's Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP)—publicly funded programs to cover the
medical costs of low-income children—also cover some mental health
costs. In some states and for some diagnoses, these or other funds
may be available for mental health services not covered by your health
insurance, even if you have private insurance.
If you have trouble
getting or filling out a Medicaid or SCHIP application, ask your doctor's
office for help. For more information about Medicaid or SCHIP, contact
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 877/267-2323 or
www.cms.hhs.gov.
Self-help organizations
may also offer counseling and support to children and their families.
These organizations operate drop-in centers and sponsor gatherings
for group discussions on specific topics, such as alcohol or drug
abuse or attention and learning problems. Your child's school may
have guidance counselors and other specialists with training in behavioral
health evaluation and treatment. Clergy can also provide help. It's
important to talk about each of these options with your child's doctor.
Published online:
11/07
Source: Your Child's Mental Health: When to Seek Help and Where to
Get Help (Copyright © 2003 American Academy of Pediatrics,
updated 8/07)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your
School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12. To order a copy of this book visit
the AAP
Bookstore.
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The information
contained in this publication should not be used as a substitute for
the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations
in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual
facts and circumstances.
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