What To Expect
I take three hours to evaluate a child or adolescent. I complete in three separate appointments. Typically, it is done in two days, but sometimes it can be done on three separate days or on one day.
During the first hour I meet parents without their son or daughter present. This allows the adults to speak openly and frankly about their concerns and goals. I will take a thorough history that includes gathering information on the presenting problem, goals, as well as the developmental, biological, psychological, social, and family factors that are relevant to their concerns. I will also discuss parenting style and the manner in which the problems are coped with.
During the second hour I will meet with child or teen to understand how they view and experience their difficulties. I aim to establish a friendly rapport and an experience that promises my dedication to helping them to feel good. I make a point to make sure that kids understand that they are not “broken” or “damaged,” but instead normal, healthy people that happen to be undergoing a difficult time in their lives. I want to help kids to not just understand why they struggle, but also to point their attention to the strengths that they are overlooking.
During the third hour I will meet with the parents with and without their child or adolescent present. I will report the important findings that I collected that I give a coherent and understandable diagnostic formulation. I will talk about the biological, social, psychological, and familial factors that contribute to the problem. I will then give my comprehensive recommendations that include psychopharmacological treatments, which I will explain in detail and address all questions. In addition, I will make recommendations on parenting that I believe are essential to help parents better help their kids. I will provide the child or adolescent with an age-appropriate explanation that is designed to help them to not see themselves as a diagnosis and be optimistic about their future.
