A parent’s guide to psychiatric care for teens

Although getting psychiatric care for your teen can be a confusing experience, there are resources to help you navigate it effectively and get your teen the care they deserve. You might have questions about whether teen psychiatry is safe and effective and how potential psychiatric medications might affect your child.

Whether or not your teen takes medication is a personal decision that can only be made between you, your teen, and their psychiatric provider. But learning more about teen psychiatry and who it can help may reassure you about the process.

When to consider psychiatry for your teen

People of any age can experience mental health conditions, but studies show that teens are especially vulnerable. Around 49.9% of teens in the U.S. will experience a mental health condition at some point, and many mental health conditions first emerge during the teenage years.

Not all teens who experience symptoms of mental health conditions will need psychiatric care. Psychiatry may not be the first-choice treatment for many teens — especially if they’ve only recently started experiencing mental health symptoms that aren’t severe. Mental health professionals typically recommend trying therapy first unless mental health symptoms are moderate to severe. 

For example, if your teen is being bullied at school, they may benefit more from therapy, where they can talk about what’s going on and have a safe place to process their emotions.

But other teens may have mental health or neurodevelopmental symptoms that are mostly genetic or biological. Most mental health conditions are caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors. Even if there are environmental reasons for your teen’s mental health concerns (for example, being a target of bullying can contribute to depression), they may still benefit from psychiatric care as one component of their treatment plan.

Some signs that a teen could benefit from psychiatry in addition to therapy include:

• They’re in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.*
• They’ve tried therapy for a while but haven’t seen much improvement.
• Their symptoms are getting worse or interfering with school, relationships, or sleep.
• They’re having intense mood swings or emotional outbursts.
• They’re showing signs of psychosis, like hallucinations or delusions.
• They’re highly anxious or having panic attacks.
• They’re experiencing symptoms of a neurodevelopmental condition, like attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• They live with a long-standing eating disorder or substance use disorder.

*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org

If experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911.

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How psychiatric care helps teenagers

Psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are medical professionals who can prescribe medication for mental health concerns. While this is typically one of the primary roles that psychiatric providers  play, teen psychiatrists and PMHNPs can provide some other services, including:

• Conducting evaluations
• Monitoring symptoms over time
• Referring your teen to other providers or services
• Offering education
• Helping guide decision-making

Teen psychiatrists can typically provide treatment for any mental health condition that affects teenagers. But some psychiatric providers  are specialized in certain conditions. For example, some psychiatrists and PMHNPs may specialize in ADHD medication, while others may specialize in mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder.

Regardless of what symptoms your teen is experiencing, a psychiatric provider  can help provide both answers and a plan for how to move forward. Although not all therapists focus on providing a specific diagnosis, psychiatric providers  will typically identify exactly what condition your teen might be experiencing and recommend the most evidence-based treatments.

It can be incredibly helpful to work with a psychiatrist or PMHNP who specializes in treating teens. Teen psychiatrists are specially trained in working with the unique needs of this age group. Even if you’re only seeing a psychiatric provider  to get medication, the trust and rapport between the psychiatric provider  and your teen will make a big difference. Teen psychiatrists are usually more skilled at building a trusting relationship with teenagers and talking with them in a way that helps them feel heard and respected.

Five steps to get psychiatric help for your teen

Navigating the process of finding the right psychiatric provider for your teen can be confusing. Here are five steps to guide you through the process.

1. Talk to your teen. First, it’s important to talk to your teen about the possibility of getting psychiatric care and what this would mean for them. Going behind your teen’s back may only increase any resentment or resistance they feel toward this option. Explain to them that seeing a psychiatrist doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need to take medication and that it’s just a first step to determine what treatments might help.
2. Find a psychiatrist. Next, look through potential psychiatric providers. Telepsychiatry is an effective and convenient option, but you may be able to find a teen psychiatrist who practices in your local area as well. Make sure you look for a psychiatrist who specializes in treating teens. It’s also important to find a psychiatric provider who has experience treating the specific symptoms your teen is experiencing.
3. Check your insurance. Like any health intervention, insurance can help lower the cost of teen psychiatry services. Before you make an appointment, it’s a good idea to check whether the psychiatrist accepts your insurance plan and how much your copay will be. If you’re using an online platform, check whether you can filter by providers who are in network for your plan.
4. Prepare for your first appointment. Before their first appointment, keep track of your teen’s symptoms — when they started, how often they happen, and how they’re affecting your teen’s life. Talk with your teen about what they hope to get out of treatment and make a list of any concerns or questions you both have. This will help the psychiatrist get a more complete picture of your teen’s mental health.
5. Pick up medication and schedule follow-ups. If the psychiatric provider recommends medication, they’ll send a prescription to your pharmacy. Make sure both you and your teen understand any instructions for taking the medication, what to expect, and what side effects to look out for. Follow-up appointments are usually scheduled a few weeks after starting a new medication to check in on how things are going and make any adjustments.

Find care with Rula

Getting psychiatric care for your teen can feel like a big step. But with the right support, it can also be an important one — especially if your teen hasn’t improved with therapy alone or is experiencing severe symptoms.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

Find a provider with Rula