Outpatient services
The outpatient services program provides more than 18,000 clinical visits each year. Children are referred for a wide variety of concerns, including, anxiety disorders, psychoses, behavior problems, school problems, affective disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, developmental delay, mental retardation and a range of adjustment problems.
Diagnostic evaluation
Through individual child and family interviews, the assessment clinician examines the child's current challenges, strengths, and functioning level, as well as the child's developmental, educational, family, medical, and psychiatric history.
Psychological, neuropsychological, developmental, or speech and language testing sometimes supplement a diagnostic evaluation. We provide referrals to diagnostic and treatment services at Children's Memorial Hospital for children experiencing neurological, medical, or surgical problems.
When appropriate and with parental permission, an evaluation may include information gathered through interviews with, or reports from, teachers, pediatricians, caseworkers, counselors, lawyers, and other professionals who have played a key role in the child's life.
Special problems, special approaches
Children and teens who may benefit from our outpatient psychiatry services face one or a combination of the following problems:
| Attention deficits | Bedwetting or soiling |
| Hyperactivity | Sleep problems |
| Sadness or depression | Aggressive, oppositional or disruptive behavior |
| Fears or anxiety | Difficulties with family or peer relationships |
| Stress associated with a traumatic event | Developmental disorders including autism |
| Feeding disorders | Learning problems |
| Adjustment reactions to medical illness | Speech and language problems |
| Bipolar disorder | The psychological effects of physical or sexual abuse |
| Psychosis | School-related problems |
Treatment addresses individual needs and goals
For each child, our primary treatment goals are to relieve troubling symptoms, enhance psychological development, and improve functioning at home, school, and in the community. Specific goals include helping children to:
- Identify and manage painful emotions
- Cope adaptively with stressful situations
- Control troublesome behavior
- Improve learning abilities
- Communicate more effectively
- Form and maintain positive relationships
- Make use of innate talents and abilities
Each child follows an individualized treatment plan composed of treatment modalities to best meet his or her needs. The treatment plan considers the child's diagnostic, family, cultural, social, and educational situations. Treatment modalities may include:
- Crisis intervention
- Short-term individual psychotherapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Medication
- Specialized services for child victims of traumatic events
- Remedial services for communication disorders
- Behavior management training for parents
A multidisciplinary professional staff
Our clinical staff includes child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists – all of whom hold faculty appointments at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University – social workers, a speech and language pathologist, and advanced pediatric nurses. Each professional brings dedication and specialized expertise to the individualized care every child and teenager receives.
Clinicians review each child's progress and refine the treatment plan as needed. Throughout treatment, clinicians may provide consultation to schools and community agencies as needed.
To make a referral or for more information call 1.800.KIDS DOC.