The services of a Board-certified
child psychiatrist are available for CMHC clients who have already begun work with a staff
therapist. A psychiatric evaluation can be
sought to (1) further clarify the diagnosis, (2) to determine the possible usefulness of
medication, and (3) determine the need for hospitalization or referral to a more intensive
program. The psychiatrist is also available
to consult with parents/families and staff regarding the nature and effects of
psychotropic medication, possible interactions of other conditions (neurological, medical,
etc.) with psychological symptoms, and the resources available for more intensive
treatment (hospitalization, residential placement, day programs, etc.). When the psychiatrist determines medication would
be helpful and the family agrees to proceed, the psychiatrist can prescribe the
appropriate medication or work with the family physician to get it prescribed. If the CMHC’s psychiatrist prescribes
medication for a child, a monthly monitoring session is required in which the psychiatrist
will determine if the medication is being helpful or whether there is a need to change the
medication regimen.
Psychiatric
services are billed on a sliding fee scale or if Medicaid coverage applies, the services
will be billed directly to Medicaid. Psychiatric
appointments are scheduled through one’s family therapist, and are not offered as the
sole service for clients who are not being seen in treatment at the Center. |
