Psychiatric Treatment Team at Cincinnati Children's
Who treats psychiatric disorders?
Mental health disorders are complex and require clinical care by a multidisciplinary treatment team. Team members may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pediatrician - A licensed physician who specializes in disorders of children and adolescents.
- Adolescent Medicine Physician - A licensed physician who specializes in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of adolescents. They have the ability to diagnose and treat a variety of psychiatric disorders.
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist - Child and adolescent psychiatrists are licensed physicians (MD or DO) who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents.
Their medical and psychiatric training with children and adolescents prepares them to treat children and adolescents either individually, as part of and involving the family unit and / or in a group setting. Psychiatrists certified in child and adolescent psychiatry can prescribe medications, if needed. - Psychiatrist - Psychiatrists are licensed physicians (MD or DO) who specialize in the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Their medical and psychiatric training prepares them to treat adults and children either individually, as part of and involving the family unit and / or in a group setting. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications, if needed.
- Psychologist - A psychologist is a specialist in the study of the structure and function of the brain and related behaviors or mental processes. A psychologist may provide psychological evaluation, assessment, testing and treatment, but may not prescribe medications.
- Social Worker (BA, BSW, MS, MSW, and licensed clinical social worker, or LCSW) - A social worker (bachelor or master-prepared) often works with the child and family to reach the long and short-term treatment goals, as established by your child's physician.
A social worker may perform several forms of psychotherapy with your child and family, as necessary. - Psychiatric Nurse - A psychiatric nurse is a clinical specialist in psychiatric mental health nursing. A psychiatric nurse is educationally and clinically trained in psychopathology, individual, group, family therapy and crisis intervention.
- Care Manager – A care manager is a bachelor-trained, licensed registered nurse. In their collaboration with the physician, they guide each family through their treatment. They coordinate the treatment plan and assure all treatment goals are met.
Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician. Written 11/00, rev. 5/03, rev. 04/06
