3-C Family Services medical staff know that children or adolescents and their families who are seeking psychiatric services need a thoughtful, comprehensive approach to defining their areas of struggle and mapping out a helpful plan to address symptoms and/or behaviors that are causing distress. Patients and their families are usually looking for:

• Careful, empathic listening
• Well-chosen diagnostic testing
• Integration of information from other physicians, school personnel, and family members
• An unhurried discussion of diagnostic findings and potential treatment options

An initial psychiatric evaluation begins with a very complete clinical interview, lasting about an hour and fifteen minutes. During this interview, 3-C Family Services' staff will spend time talking with the client and (if the client is a child or adolescent) the accompanying parent or caregiver. They will ask questions that help her define what the problem(s) is and how it may have developed. The kinds of questions asked may include:

• What kinds of issues bring you here today?
• When did you begin noticing these issues?
• Are you having any symptoms?
• Have you had any past traumatic experiences or losses in your life?
• Have you ever been on any medications?
• How's school going?
• How are your family and peer relationships?
• What was your development like through early childhood until now?
• Do you have any medical conditions?
• Are there other family members struggling with similar issues?

At the end of the first interview, 3-C Family Services staff and the client and parents/caregivers will discuss a treatment plan. Such a plan may involve some additional interview time, referrals for testing, and/or laboratory tests to further help reach an understanding of the problem and the diagnosis. 3-C Family Servcies staff will review the available options for treatment, which may include medication, individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, or other recommendations.

Follow-up appointments may be needed to continue the diagnostic phase, or to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment plan. If new problems or symptoms arise, you should always inform 3-C Family Services staff so that you and she can assess the situation and decide whether a new treatment plan may be needed.

It's a very big and very courageous step to seek psychiatric help for your child/adolescent and family. 3-C Family Services staff are ready to work with you to make the experience as comfortable and helpful as possible.