Pediatric Psychiatry

When children and teens have issues affecting their behavior, emotions or mental state, they may benefit from kid-focused psychiatric care. Our pediatric psychiatrists are trained to support the mental health needs of young people and help them thrive.

When you see changes in your child’s mood or behavior, we’re here to support your family. Whether your child or teenager has mood swings, trouble connecting with others or hallucinations, our team can help.

At MU Health Care, our pediatric psychiatrists treat mood, behavioral and developmental disorders, such as:

Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a disorder associated with inattention, impulsive behavior and excessive activity.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (outpatient setting), which affects how children communicate with others.
Bipolar disorder, characterized by extreme mood swings.
Conduct disorder (CD), defined by bullying, aggression and cruelty to others.
Depression, which can look like sadness, irritability or low self-esteem.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), characterized by extreme temper outbursts.
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), characterized by frequent angry and argumentative behavior.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that can develop after experiencing a traumatic event.
Schizophrenia, which can cause hallucinations or delusions.

Psychiatric Care for Kids with Complex Health Needs

If your child also has a complex medical condition, we have the resources to help. Our team can coordinate with other experts at MU Health Care and in your community on a personalized care plan tailored to your child’s needs. Together, we can help you and your child identify the next steps to take.

Does My Child Need Psychiatric Help?

Signs of a possible mental health condition in kids and teens include:

Aggression
Atypical mood swings
Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
Frequent headaches or stomach aches
Harmful behaviors (to themselves or others)
Loss of interest in usual sports, hobbies or activities
Panic attacks
Poor school performance or lack of attendance
Restlessness or hyperactivity
Sadness that lasts more than two weeks
Separation anxiety in older kids
Social withdrawal from family or friends
Talking about self-harm, suicide or death
Unexplained weight loss or changes in eating habits
Unprovoked anger

Getting Psychiatric Help for Your Child or Teen

Reaching out is the first step to getting your child or teen the psychiatric care they need. Talk to your child’s pediatric primary care provider, or reach out to our pediatric psychiatry team directly. Our experts can help determine which type of mental health provider can best support your child.

If you’re concerned that your child is in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others, go to an emergency room. Your child will be evaluated by emergency room providers and may be admitted for inpatient care if needed.

Our Approach to Pediatric Psychiatry

At MU Health Care, we provide the full range of outpatient and inpatient pediatric psychiatric services, as well as community outreach.

Outpatient Pediatric Psychiatry Services

For outpatient care, your child or teen can see our team at our Psychiatry Clinic. No referral is needed for medical management, but an internal referral is needed for therapy services. Services include:

Psychiatric evaluations and treatment for kids and teens of all ages
Evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help change thinking patterns
Prescription medications when appropriate
Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based therapy for kids younger than 8 and their parents
Family therapy
Parent education and support

Our team includes:

Child and adolescent psychiatrists, doctors who can provide medical care and prescribe medication
Psychologists, who primarily provide counseling and therapy using a wide range of techniques
Advanced practice providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with mental health training
Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) and licensed professional counselors (LPCs), who are therapists
Psychiatric nurses
Resident physicians
Occupational therapists (OTs) (inpatient unit)
Recreational therapists

All team members are trained to provide personalized support based on your child’s maturity level.

Inpatient Pediatric Psychiatric Services

The Missouri Psychiatric Center is home to our Inpatient Pediatric Psychiatry Program. Inpatient care is for children and teens with emergent mental health issues that require stabilization, often with medication and other treatments.

Community Outreach

We’re committed to providing children better access to psychiatric care through our community outreach.

Our team also trains adults who support children with behavioral or developmental challenges, including:

Parents and caregivers
School staff and childcare providers
Health care providers

What to Expect During and After Your Child’s Evaluation

Your Child’s Evaluation for Outpatient Care

For the first outpatient psychiatric evaluation, we offer in-person or remote evaluations, which last one hour to an hour and a half. You and your child will meet together with a pediatric psychiatrist or advanced practice provider. During the evaluation, you’ll both have time to meet separately with the provider.

Your provider will ask questions about your child’s family history and medical history. They’ll also answer any questions you have.

Your Child’s Treatment Plan

After the evaluation, our team may recommend psychological testing, an occupational therapy assessment or other tests. With your permission, we may also reach out to your child’s primary care provider, school therapists or other providers.

Once we have a diagnosis, we will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan. Your child’s care plan may include: