Pediatric psychiatry specializes in treating children and adolescents. While the psychiatrist may work with a team of other medical professionals, the primary focus of a child psychiatrist is to treat disorders related to childhood feelings, thoughts, or emotions. The psychiatrist must act in the child's best interest, but he may also consult with juvenile court [...]
If you have heard the term play therapy but are unsure what it means, this post will cover the basics and why it may be an excellent option for your child. What is Play Therapy? It is a type of counseling in which play is used to help children communicate their emotions. Activities might include: [...]
November is Early Childhood Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we celebrate the importance mental health plays in childhood development. What is Early Childhood Mental Health? While they sound similar, early childhood mental health and early childhood mental illness are two different things affecting children before their fifth birthday. Approximately 17% of children are [...]
If someone asks you about the difference between child and adult psychiatry, your first answer may be that it depends on the person's age. While that answer would not be wrong, the truth is that the answer lies much deeper. Adult vs. Child Entry Point Adults often seek out help for themselves. Meanwhile, children are [...]
Self-harm can be defined as any attempt to bring harm to oneself on purpose. Usually, the goal is not suicide but the release of painful emotions. While the media often shows a teenager cutting on themselves, it can also include scratching, burning, hitting themselves, pulling out hair or picking at wounds. Who Participates in Self-harming [...]
Being a parent is a hard job. You may wonder if the signs you are seeing in your child are just a normal phase or a sign of a mental health condition. It is far better to discuss any signs troubling you with a health care professional than to ignore them. There are many signs [...]
If your child is anxious, then there are several things that you can do to help them. Many childhood fears are a part of the maturing process. For example, young children may have stranger anxiety while older children may be afraid of imaginary things, like monsters under the bed. Studies show that one of [...]
If you are a teen, you may feel a lot of pressure to be in a romantic relationship. While many experience this pressure, the reality is that only 35% of teens have ever had a romantic relationship, and only 10% are currently in one. Whether you are in a current relationship or want to [...]
Founded in 2011, National Play Outside Day is a conscious reminder to put time aside on the first Saturday of each month (at the very least, of course) and head outside and enjoy the great outdoors. This is a great encouragement to work towards healthy habits for both mind and body. Learn more about National [...]
As much as children and parents struggled to adjust to homeschooling when the COVID pandemic started, your children may experience separation anxiety as they head back to school. You can take some simple steps that may help ease the anxiety that your child feels if they face COVID-related separation anxiety. Prepare for Separation Anxiety [...]
