Care built for
curious, growing
kids
Children this age are figuring out the world — and sometimes that process gets hard. We offer warm, play-informed psychiatric care designed specifically for how kids think, feel, and grow.
Common challenges
in children ages 5–12
Kids this age often can't yet name what they're feeling — they show it through behavior, sleep, school performance, and play. We're trained to recognize and respond to all of it.
ADHD
Difficulty staying focused, acting before thinking, or staying seated — ADHD looks different in every child. We offer thorough evaluations and thoughtful treatment that goes beyond just medication.
Anxiety
Worry about school, friendships, separation, or new situations can feel overwhelming for kids. We help children understand their anxiety and build practical tools to manage it.
Mood & Depression
Persistent sadness, irritability, loss of interest in play, or changes in appetite or sleep can all signal depression in children — even when it doesn't look the way adults expect.
School Challenges
Refusing to go to school, falling behind academically, social difficulties, or conflict with teachers can all have underlying emotional or psychiatric roots we can help identify.
Behavioral Changes
Big shifts in behavior — sudden anger, withdrawal, sleep disruption, or regression — are often a child's way of communicating distress they can't yet put into words.
Family Transitions & Trauma
Divorce, loss, moving, a new sibling, or adverse experiences affect kids deeply. Our ACE-informed approach helps children process change in an age-appropriate, supported way.
Signs a child may benefit from an evaluation
- Persistent worry or fear that interferes with daily life
- Frequent outbursts, meltdowns, or difficulty calming down
- Struggles to focus or complete tasks at school or home
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy lasting more than 2 weeks
- Avoidance of school, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
- Complaints of stomachaches or headaches with no medical cause
What parents often tell us
- "My child has always been anxious but it's getting worse."
- "Their teacher says they can't stay on task — I want to understand why."
- "Something changed after the move / divorce / loss."
- "They're not acting like themselves and I don't know how to help."
- "We've tried therapy but I wonder if there's something more going on."
- "I want answers before jumping straight to medication."
Our approach to
children's care
Working with children isn't just scaled-down adult care. Everything about how we evaluate, communicate, and treat is designed for this age group.
Play-Informed Evaluation
We use age-appropriate methods to assess children — including observation and play-based tools — because kids communicate best through doing, not just talking.
Family Partnership
Parents and caregivers are active partners in care. We share findings clearly, answer every question, and make sure families know how to support progress at home.
Medication — Only When Needed
We take a conservative approach to medication with children. When it is appropriate, we start low, monitor closely, and always involve families in the decision.
ACE-Informed Care
We consider the full context of a child's life — including adverse experiences — because what a child has been through shapes how they think, feel, and behave.
Services available
for children ages 5–12
Every child's care starts with a thorough evaluation. From there, we build a plan around their specific needs.
Psychiatric Evaluation
Our initial evaluations for children are comprehensive and unhurried. We gather history from parents, review school and developmental information, observe the child directly, and use validated assessment tools before forming any diagnostic impression. Families receive a clear explanation of findings and a thoughtful path forward.
ADHD Evaluation
Our ADHD evaluations for children include parent and teacher rating scales, clinical interview, developmental history, and direct observation. We rule out other contributing factors — anxiety, learning differences, sleep issues — before confirming a diagnosis. Families leave with clear results and a concrete plan.
Medication Management
When medication is part of the plan, we take extra care with children — starting at the lowest effective dose, monitoring closely for response and side effects, and keeping parents fully informed at every step. Follow-up visits are built into the care plan from the start.
Follow-Up Visits
Regular follow-up appointments let us track progress, adjust the care plan, check in on how things are going at school and home, and respond to any new concerns as they arise. Parents are always part of these conversations.
School & Family Collaboration
With your permission, we can coordinate with your child's school — sharing relevant clinical information with teachers, counselors, or IEP teams — so care doesn't stop at the office door.
What to know
before you reach out
Bringing your child to a psychiatric provider can feel like a big step. We want you to feel fully informed and comfortable before the first appointment.
We see children ages 5–12 for evaluations, ADHD assessments, medication management, and follow-up care. We work collaboratively with you — not around you — at every stage.
Request an AppointmentWhat to expect
step by step
Reach out
Contact us by phone, text, or through the online portal. We'll ask a few brief questions to make sure we're the right fit before scheduling.
Initial evaluation
A comprehensive first appointment with you and your child. We cover developmental history, current concerns, school and home context, and what you're hoping to understand.
Feedback & plan
We share our findings clearly — diagnosis if applicable, contributing factors, and recommended next steps. No jargon. You'll leave with a concrete plan.
Ongoing care
Follow-up visits keep the plan current. We adjust as your child grows, communicate with school when needed, and stay responsive to changes along the way.
Also serving:
Let's get your child
the support they deserve
We're currently accepting new patients ages 5–12. Reach out to schedule an evaluation or ask any questions first.