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Child Psychiatrist – A Guide For Parents & Guardians

Child Psychiatrist – A Guide For Parents & Guardians

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If your child is suffering from a mental condition and is in need of mental health assistance, you should consult a child psychiatrist. Psychiatrists who specialize in pediatric psychiatry are known as child psychiatrists, who are able to treat any type of mental conditions that are common in children and adolescents. Orange Coast Psychiatry hosts an army of top child psychiatrists, who will be at your service for consultations about your child’s mental condition. We’ll guide you on how and when it becomes paramount to get an appointment with a child psychiatrist specialist.

What is a Child Psychiatrist? 

It is a type of psychiatrist that focuses on providing psychiatric assistance for children and adolescents. They differ from child psychologists. While their services can overlap, the terms of their titles are used interchangeably and both of them emphasize one specific type of treatment and technique.

A child psychiatrist pivots more toward mental health medication management and a child psychologist’s services take a tilt toward psychotherapy but both can use either treatment to reach their end goal of treating a child or a young adolescent successfully. The differentiation might help you find a child psychiatrist that is good and suitable for your child’s treatment.

Learn More: How to Help Someone With Bipolar Disorder?

How does Child Psychiatry work?

Child psychiatrists will focus on treating a child’s mental condition by looking at symptoms of that condition and also assessing the behavioral, social, and psychological aspects of a child’s life and personal history.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment is made of the child, a child psychiatrist will go through and initiate a range of standard operating procedures that are part of pediatric psychiatry. They will:

  • Interview family members
  • Inquire about the child’s development
  • Contact the family physician and healthcare professionals
  • Assess a child’s life at the school or college
  • Do certain tests or make special assessments

This might take several visits and may also require certain permissions and consent from the stakeholders involved. Afterward, a child psychiatrist will make a diagnosis of the mental condition of the child and devise a treatment plan accordingly.

What Type of Mental Conditions Does a Child Psychiatrist Treat? 

While there is a range of different mental disorders that a child psychiatrist treats in children, which are also present in adults. There are some conditions that are more common in children and the onset of the symptoms begins in the earlier years. Some of the conditions a psychiatrist of children might treat are:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Mood Conditions Such as Clinical Depression or Bipolar Disorder
  • Eating Disorders like Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia Nervosa
  • Conduct Disorders
  • Anxiety And Other Conditions That Relate It
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • Schizophrenia

Is Your Child in Need of Psychiatric Help?

While expert opinion is necessary, it is also your responsibility to look out for any symptoms of an underlying mental condition in your child or children if you suspect there might be something wrong with them. This should especially be true when there is a family history of mental conditions. When you see your child’s condition worsening through the onset and the steady rise of symptoms and if these symptoms finally interfere with the day-to-day route of your child or children, you should promptly seek treatment.

While early intervention is the right time to take your child to a psychiatrist, it is better to be late than never seek treatment for your child. They will assess how and if they are coping with a mental condition and what sort of trauma, be it psychological or physical, or even a major life change such as something like divorce, is leading to the birth of a mental condition. But still, you should look for if your child has these symptoms:

  • Excessive Tantrums and Anger Outbursts
  • Absenteeism at School
  • Sadness
  • Suicidal Thoughts
  • Substance Abuse
  • Poor Grades
  • Trouble Having Good Sleep
  • Problems with Food and Body
  • Disobedience and Problems with Conduct

Why Is Child Psychiatry Now Necessary for Child Rearing?

Child psychiatry has become paramount to child upbringing because of its importance to the mental health of children. The ongoing need for child psychiatrists arose with the rising cases of mental health conditions. This rise can especially be attributed to the rise of social and digital media, which has amplified the problems with mental health in children who are already at risk. In that context, finding a treatment plan that is personalized to the needs and requirements of a child suffering from an underlying mental condition is of utmost importance.

The growing demand for such a specialized domain is not being met, and finding proper treatment related to it is not easily accessible, especially with the rising healthcare costs. The financial and awareness investment that is put into pediatric care, especially pediatric psychiatry is underwhelming. It is nevertheless important for children to be treated, as otherwise consequences will seriously interfere with the seamless upbringing and thoughtful development of a child.

Where To Look for A Suitable Child Psychiatrist 

The best children’s psychiatrist is the one who is not only suitable for the child but one who is well-versed and capable of formulating different types of treatment plans that cater to the needs and requirements of any child affected with a mental disorder.

While psychiatrists can be found in different settings, for example, in schools, hospitals, and even individually in their own clinics and different settings, e.g. as a head psychiatrist at a school you have to make an effort to find the one that is the most suitable for your child and is capable of finding a suitable treatment plan for that child.

There are many ways you can do that! To find a child psychiatrist who is suitable, you can go through specific directories that relate to psychiatric associations, where you can filter through different child psychiatrists. This is a good starting point and sometimes you can always use platforms that are specifically tied to the provision of psychiatric services, with experts that specialize in child psychiatry.

Treatment

Once a diagnosis has been made and treatment has been laid out, psychiatrists are all set to provide the care a child needs with suitable mental health attention. But what it partakes to know if a specific form of treatment is suitable for a child, is dependent on how much you know about it too. While a psychiatrist can explain everything to you, it dawned on us that it can be very beneficial if you do some homework on your side too. Treatment will not help your child if you are not focusing on the treatment yourself, even if your child is being treated by one of the best children’s psychiatrists. We’ll list some of the most common treatments that are used by a child psychiatrist for your knowledge.

Psychotherapy 

This is the therapy that is most commonly used by child psychologists and is affectionately called “The Talk Therapy” by doctors, psychologists, and patients alike. This doesn’t mean that psychiatrists will not use this one. They will in fact use and combine it with other forms of treatments such as medication, which are often very beneficial and complement each other effortlessly. There are different forms of psychotherapies in existence but the most common ones that are used for treating children are:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of psychotherapy that focuses on changing the negative thought processes that govern behaviors that define certain mental disorders.
  • Family Therapy or Interpersonal Therapy: A kind of therapy that tries to uncover if certain interconnected relationships might be negatively affecting a child. Members of the family or even the extended family might also be involved in the therapy itself. It can be important in identifying if a child is being physically or mentally abused or not.
  • Psychodynamic Therapy: A “talk therapy” that can use playtime, toys or art to come to terms with past experiences.

Medication

Drugs and medication can be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also encompasses other treatment methods like psychotherapy or counseling. Children sometimes have to take medication for a mental condition such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) even when parents or legal guardians are against taking medication but it is nonetheless an important part of treating mental health conditions. Although the foremost question should always be if a child can be treated without the medication, when it becomes absolutely necessary to use it, there are some recommendations.

Recommended Medication For Children

Although something like ADHD has a specific recommendation, with Methylphenidate being the most common one, psychotropic medicine can be prescribed for other mental conditions such as autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or depression. Something that works well for adults might not work for children. The medicine that is prescribed to your children can also be an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, stimulant, anti-anxiety medicine, antipsychotic, or a combination of these.

Dosage

It is all dependent on how well the drug works or how suitable it is for the child taking it. The dosage and the type of medicine that could be prescribed by a child psychiatrist specialist to a child varies based on the progress of the medication treatment. If the symptoms subside but the medicine is not working as fast as it should be, then the dosage must be increased. Suppose the child takes a specific medicine that also has a high dose, but is developing side effects such as the development of a rash, changes in appetite, behavioral changes atypical to a child, or something more dangerous like suicidal thoughts. In that case, dosage must be stopped or decreased and serious attention to those symptoms should be given. A psychiatrist of children will review the progress of the dosage and the type of medicine prescribed and will re-prescribe medication according to that progress.

Learn More: Understanding The Different Types Of Trauma

How Can I as a Parent or Guardian Help My Child? 

There are certain ways you can help your child after a diagnosis and complement the care provided by an expert in childhood psychiatry:

  • Educate Yourself About Your Child’s Mental Illness
  • Consider Family Therapy To Ensure Comprehensive Care Is Provided
  • Take Advice From The Psychiatrist On How To Conduct With Your Child
  • Consult With School Too On How To Handle Your Child’s Mental Illness
  • Try to Relax Yourself And Do Fun Activities With Your Child
  • Compliment Your Child For Their Strengths and Positives
  • Enroll In A Training Program For Parents Who Are Raising Children With Mental Conditions.

Conclusion

You now know enough about a child psychiatrist to independently make a decision about finding a suitable one for your own child. If you suspect that your child is suffering from an underlying mental condition, treatment should be promptly sought. Harmful consequences will lay ahead if your child’s mental condition is left untreated, creating problems for you and your child. Treatment that makes the best of different methods like a suitable psychotherapy and a prescribed medication plan can help your child heal. Orange Coast Psychiatry has a host of top child psychiatrists who are ready to dive into the treatment of children and help you heal from a mental condition.

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May Faustino

Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

May Faustino, PMHNP-BC, is a compassionate and highly skilled psychiatric provider with over four years of nursing experience, including three years specializing in psychiatric care. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from West Coast University, where she received extensive training in managing the psychiatric needs of pediatric, adult, and geriatric populations, as well as providing therapy and counseling services.
May has worked in diverse mental health settings, including forensic psychiatry at the Department of State Hospitals and behavioral health services at Aliso Ridge Behavioral Health. Her clinical expertise spans psychiatric assessments, medication management, and trauma-informed care, with a strong focus on treating anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders.
Bilingual in English and Tagalog, May is dedicated to serving diverse patient populations with a culturally sensitive approach. She is trained in evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing and is well-versed in trauma-informed care and suicide prevention strategies.
May is passionate about promoting resilience and recovery through preventive mental health care and individualized, holistic treatment plans. Her commitment to excellence is reflected in her memberships in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
In her personal time, May enjoys fostering mindfulness and well-being through activities she loves, such as spending time with her husband and their two beloved cats, Pippy and Eva.

Dr. Montgomery

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Torri Montgomery, M.D., is a board-certified psychiatrist with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with a subspecialty board certification in forensic psychiatry. Dr. Montgomery is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Montgomery earned her Bachelor of Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from The University of Arizona, College of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. During her psychiatry residency, Dr. Montgomery completed a year-long certification in Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT), earned a certificate from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to prescribe medication for the treatment of substance use disorders, and worked in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic for substance use disorders. Additionally, she was appointed Chief Resident and received an Excellence in Teaching award.
After psychiatry residency, she completed her Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. After completing her fellowship, Dr. Montgomery has worked in public psychiatry for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. She teaches, consults, and treats individuals with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders. Her experience includes outpatient, inpatient, emergency, consult liaison, addiction, dual-diagnosis, and forensic psychiatry. She is an expert evaluator on the Superior Court of California Panel of Expert Psychiatrists and Psychologists. Dr. Montgomery is an attending physician for the Harbor-UCLA Department of Psychiatry and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.

Dr. Ravi

M.D. – Psychiatrist

Dr. Dave Ravi, M.D., is a Board Certified Psychiatrist with additional qualifications in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Ravi is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (B.S., Magna Cum Laude), VCU School of Medicine (M.D.), Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Residency in Psychiatry), and John. A. Burns School of Medicine (Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry). He currently is a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, HI and serves as a psychiatrist with Orange Coast psychiatry.
Dr. Ravi is a dedicated community psychiatrist with extensive experience in public, correctional, inpatient and outpatient settings, and an experienced tele-psychiatrist. He consults on topics in general psychiatry, including quality improvement, treatment planning, and crisis management, and in correctional psychiatry, including recovery-oriented treatment for individuals with serious mental illness and dual diagnosis. His current and future interests focus on understanding the various approaches in managing the suffering and disturbance of complex psychiatric disorders, particularly in the use, misuse, overuse, and misrepresentation of psychotropic medications.

Dr. Irwin

M.D. , Ph.D – Psychiatrist

Dr. Scott Irwin, M.D., Ph.D., is Board Certified Psychiatrist. Dr. Irwin is an integral part of our Management Team as a Psychiatrist and Supervising Psychiatrist for our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners here at Orange Coast psychiatry.
His career mostly focuses on improving outcomes for those with cancer or other progressive, potentially life-limiting illnesses, and their families, through leading-edge clinical services, ongoing research, as well as program development, improvement, and implementation.
He is widely published, has been recognized at many levels for his research, teaching, consulting, and clinical endeavors, and has received research funding from the NCI, NIMH, the National Palliative Care Research Center, the Archstone Foundation, and industry.
Dr. Irwin earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and both his MD and PhD (neuroscience) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He successfully completed his psychiatry residency at UC San Diego as chief resident of Outpatient Psychiatric Services, as well as a two-year elective in hospice and palliative care at San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with subspecialty certification in psychosomatic medicine.

Richard Samedra.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Richard Samedra, PMHNP-BC, is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. He brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health field, working with clients facing a wide range of acute and chronic mental health conditions. His journey began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and Charge Nurse at Westminster Therapeutic Residential Treatment, where he supported clients dealing with anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. Richard’s dedication was centered on helping these individuals improve their mental health and transition to a lower level of care, whether that meant returning to their families, a board and care facility, or a sober-living environment.
Motivated by a growing passion for mental health care, Richard pursued his Registered Nurse (RN) education at Saddleback Community College and later transitioned to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital Behavioral Health. In this role, he specialized in geriatric psychiatry, working with older adults experiencing conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, depression, and anxiety. This experience solidified his commitment to mental health, leading him to work at Bellflower Community Hospital, where he provided care for patients experiencing severe psychiatric crises, including suicidal ideation, manic and depressive episodes, substance use disorders, and exacerbated schizophrenia symptoms.
Inspired by the impactful work of PMHNPs at Bellflower, Richard enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at Azusa Pacific University. To broaden his expertise, he worked full-time at College Hospital Costa Mesa while completing his studies. There, he gained comprehensive experience across various units, including adolescent, acute men’s and women’s, stabilization, and detox/med-surg. Now, as a PMHNP, Richard is committed to leveraging his diverse background and knowledge to provide compassionate, comprehensive care to those in need.
Richard currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where he is supervised by Dr. Montgomery.

Shaheena Gazipura

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC

Shaheena Gazipura is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with over 9 years of dedicated experience in both inpatient and outpatient mental health care. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California.
Shaheena began her career working on an adult psychiatric inpatient unit before transitioning to the geriatric psychiatric inpatient unit at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. In addition to her clinical work, Shaheena also serves as a Nursing Clinical Instructor, guiding the next generation of nurses through their mental health rotations at a large community college.
Shaheena is a passionate advocate for mental health, believing that it is a fundamental pillar of overall well-being. She is committed to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and strives to provide comprehensive, compassionate care that honors each individual’s unique experiences and challenges. Her goal is to create a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where patients feel empowered to work alongside her in achieving their mental health goals.
Outside of her professional life, Shaheena enjoys exploring new culinary experiences, staying active through exercise, and planning her next travel adventures.
Shaheena currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Clint Nacar

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner -BC

Clint Nacar, PMHNP-BC is a Board Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Mr. Nacar graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science. Currently Mr. Nacar works in an inpatient psychiatry unit at a leading academic medical center in Los Angeles, Renewed Mental Health Group, and Orange Coast Psychiatry
Mr. Nacar brings over 7+ years of experience with the mental health population. He works to help patients take control of their mental health through patient education, psychotherapy and medication management. Mr. Nacar’s areas of focus include: Depression, Anxiety, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Mr. Nacar treats children ages 6+, adolescents, and adults, offering both in-person services and telehealth at Renewed Mental Health Group.
With the collaboration of each patient, Mr. Nacar strives to develop individualized plans of care addressing each patient’s unique situation and concerns. He also encourages each patient to take charge of their mental health through a holistic approach while also employing the latest evidence based practices in treatment.

Clint is one of our most experienced Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is 103NP Licensed in the State of California.

Cristian Cuevas

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

Cristian Cuevas, PMHNP-BC, is a highly skilled board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner with over seven years of experience in inpatient psychiatry and mental health.
A California State University Long Beach graduate, Cristian also earned recognition as a board-certified psychiatric mental health registered nurse. With a wealth of expertise in adult psychiatric care across the lifespan, Cristian has successfully diagnosed and treated a diverse range of mental health disorders.
Additionally, his specialized experience in child and adolescent inpatient populations further enhances his ability to provide comprehensive and compassionate mental health care.
Cristian Cuevas is the Lead Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry and is supervised by Dr Barrios.

Griselda Hernandez

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner-BC (Fluent in Spanish)

As a licensed Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with a robust background in psychiatric and substance abuse nursing, Griselda provides compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. The core of her practice focuses on promoting holistic wellness, fostering resilience, and empowering patients in their recovery journey. Specializing in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adolescents with various mental health disorders, Griselda strives to create a therapeutic environment where patients feel valued, respected, and supported.

“My approach is grounded in years of diverse experience, including work in psychiatric units and medical detox units for both adults and adolescents. This extensive background has equipped me with the skills and knowledge to manage complex psychiatric and substance abuse conditions effectively. I am committed to staying updated with the latest advancements in psychiatric care, integrating cutting-edge therapies and best practices into my treatment plans. Collaboration is key to my practice; I work closely with multidisciplinary teams, families, and community resources to provide coordinated and comprehensive care tailored to each individual’s unique needs.”

Griselda holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health from West Coast University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Additionally, she is fluent in the English and Spanish language, enhancing her ability to connect with a diverse patient population.

Griselda currently practices as a Nurse Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Orange Coast Psychiatry, where she is supervised by Dr. Barrios.

Dr Barrios

Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr. Carlos Barrios is a Board-Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with over two decades of experience in mental health care. His expertise in telepsychiatry has allowed him to serve patients across California and beyond. In his practice, Dr Barrios integrates metabolic and functional methodologies, focusing on guiding patients toward medication independence and emphasizing the connection between physical and mental health.
Outside of his professional life, Dr Barrios is passionate about kettlebell training, which helps him maintain my physical and mental wellness. He cherishes visiting his family in Guatemala, to reconnecting with his cultural roots and rejuvenating his spirit. Dr Barrios is also deeply involved in transcendental meditation and rucking, practices that not only provide him with tranquility but also keep him grounded and connected to nature. These hobbies reflect his commitment to a holistic approach to health, both personally and professionally.