Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 59 BENEFIS HEALTH 1 PAGE SPONSORED STORY What ages do you treat? I treat patients from 5 to 18 years old. How do you break through with children who may be emotionally closed off? I think psychiatric treatment and speaking to a psychiatrist can still carry stigma, so I try to address those distortions or things that may make my patients uncomfortable at the rst visit. I also believe having genuine honesty when approaching the family is important. How can parents prepare their children for therapy? It depends on the child's age. If the child is in elementary school, I nd a good way for them to understand is by telling them I am a doctor that helps with feelings and worries. For older children, I think it is important to address the issue and state, "I am worried about ___ and I would like us to go and speak with a doctor to help us understand how to better help you." What can a child and their parents expect when the child starts therapy? Families that make an appointment will receive a welcome letter and some surveys. These surveys give parents an opportunity to re ect on a wide range of symptoms and responses. We also include surveys for the child to complete depending on their age, and for other caregivers who support the family. The child is then scheduled for an intake visit, which is longer than a usual visit. I begin with the entire family and answer questions, then the parent and child meet with me separately, and nally end the session all together to discuss a treatment plan. Can pediatricians diagnose and treat mental health issues? Pediatricians and other cliniciansare great partners, and with a shortage of child psychiatrists, they have been treating and diagnosing mental health issues. Many are doing a great job. I think the dif culty is that, often, pediatricians do not have the same amount of time to spend with their patients as I do, so more complex issues can be dif cult to thoroughly address. How does a psychiatrist differ from a psychologist? Psychiatrists are medical doctors. After I completed medical school, I spent six years studying psychiatry, which includes learning pharmacology and advanced therapy techniques. Psychiatrists may see their patients weekly or monthly for psychotherapy and/or psychopharmacology, depending on the patient's clinical needs. Psychologists often see their patients on a weekly basis for psychosocial counseling. It would not be uncommon for children to be in treatment with both. Psychologists and psychiatrists frequently work together to coordinate and provide the best therapy for patients. How would parents go about making an appointment for their child—do pediatric psychiatry services typically require a referral? Parents need a referral from their child's primary care provider. What do parents need to know about determining if their child is a t for pediatric psychiatry services? Families need to understand that treatment is a commitment and a journey, and that they are part of the treatment team. Change may be sparked in the of ce, but the family will have a role in reinforcing and working with their children outside of session. A tradition of advanced care. Learn more at Bene s.org

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