The Psychiatric Mental Health Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute provides diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents having difficulty with mood, behavior or relationships at home, within the family, at school and with peers.

Identifying psychiatric issues in children is not always easy. Children experience many physical, mental and emotional changes as they grow and develop, and symptoms of a psychiatric disorder are often misread as typical childhood or adolescent behavior. As a result, many children who could benefit from treatment do not get the help they need. We provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children and adolescents having difficulty with mood, behavior or relationships at home, within the family, at school and with peers.

Who We Serve

The Psychiatric Mental Health Program serves children and adolescents through 17 years old, depending on their specific needs, and their families. The program is open to patients with and without autism and/or a co-occurring developmental or intellectual disability. Some of the issues we focus on include:

Treatment Services

The Psychiatric Mental Health Program provides a full spectrum of mental health services, including:

  • Diagnostic assessment
  • Individual therapy
  • Parent/caregiver support
  • Family therapy
  • Medication management
  • Group therapy programs
  • Problem-specific groups

During the initial appointment, patients and their caregivers will meet with a licensed clinician to discuss their concerns. The evaluator will ask questions about the patient’s development and medical, psychological, and family history, including past evaluations and treatment. Emotional, behavioral, social, and educational functioning will be reviewed through an interview and by questionnaires and checklists. At the conclusion of the visit, the clinician will provide recommendations for next steps in care and treatment.

We also host sub-specialty clinics by experts in their field.

Discover our clinical programs.

Our Team

Our program is staffed by an interdisciplinary team that allows us to consider all aspects of care, including biological, psychological and social factors. The team consists of medical providers and psychotherapists from Kennedy Krieger Institute and The Johns Hopkins Hospital, and includes:

Clinical Social Workers

Clinical social workers specialize in the provision of mental health services -- including diagnosis and treatment -- for individuals and families, including children, adolescents and young adults.

Psychiatry

Psychiatry provides a variety of multi-faceted programs and trainings to help children and adolescents with developmental and psychiatric disorders participate as fully as possible in family, school and community life.

Within the Psychiatric Mental Health Program, psychiatrists provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment services for children who are having difficulty with mood, behavior or relationships at home, within the family, at school and with peers.  Once a correct diagnosis is determined, the team will develop an individualized treatment plan.

Our team uses a variety of therapeutic options that are customized for each individual. These may include:

  • Behavior modification
  • Group and individualized therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Medication management

Psychology

At Kennedy Krieger Institute, our team of pediatric psychologists work to help children, teens and their families cope with the challenges of a chronic or acute conditions. We also provide treatment for children who develop significant anxiety, sadness, and difficulties with peer relationships or parent/child interactions. Each child receives a thorough assessment to determine the proper treatment for your child and your family.

We also work closely with our patients’ other care providers in the assessment and development of a treatment plan, when necessary. 

Meet Our Team.

 

Making an Appointment

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please send an email to PsychSWRef@KennedyKrieger.org.