Child Guidance Clinic
Children and adolescents with mental health disorders need to get help as soon as possible. Parents and other caregivers should seek help if children display any of the following warning signs:
- Refusing to attend school or declining performance.
- Feeling of hopelessness.
- Extreme irritability.
- Alcohol or drug abuse.
- Act of bullying or bullied.
- Negative feelings about themselves.
- Extreme fearfullness or excessive worrying.
- Uncontrolled anger or outbursts.
- Obssesive dieting and exercising or overeating.
- Excessive mobile use.
Child Guidance Clinic staff provides comprehensive, intensive mental health services for children and their families. This includes:
- Assessment- Through this process a psychologist will work with your child to evaluate their behavior, personality und capabilities. This can include interviews, observations, questionnaires and psychological testing to develop a complete picture of your child or adolescent.
- Evaluation- This involves a discussion of behaviors and symptoms, a psychiatric interview, personal and family history, a complete medical history and, if necessary, laboratory tests to determine if medications are necessary.
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy- Evidence-based treatment that helps reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other childhood behavior issues, It includes therapy with both you and your child; regular meetings to learn social, coping and parenting skills; and development of a treatment plan.
- Medication management- Comprehensive process used to determine if the use of medications would improve your child's outcomes. Key elements include a review of current prescriptions and development of a medication treatment plan.
- Individual and family therapy- Services specifically designed to address childhood matters and help support juveniles and their families. Throughout this process, staff will work with parents to describe key findings, explain treatment options and answer any questions