Medication Management for
Kids & Teens
If your child is struggling with depression, anxiety, or ADHD, behavioral health medication management services for children and teens can provide a crucial layer of support as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. At Mind Works, we prioritize an integrated healthcare approach, bringing together pediatricians, psychologists, and therapists to collaboratively address every facet of your child’s well-being.
1. Intake & Initial Assessment (Parents Only)
The first step to your child’s medication management journey is scheduling a 45- to 60-minute intake appointment with a Mind Works provider. Our main objectives during this appointment are to gather a detailed history of your child’s mental health concerns, symptoms, and family history and to provide you with a clearer idea of what medication management for your child might entail. We’ll review your child’s current coping mechanisms and support systems, previous psychiatric evaluations, and medical history. Following the session, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s mental health needs, determine if medication management is a suitable approach, and provide information about the next steps.
2. Consultation & Treatment Plan (Child & Parent)
During this 45- to 60-minute appointment, your child will have the opportunity to meet with their Mind Works provider. Their provider will ask questions to better assess your child’s symptoms and behaviors – in addition to understanding any family concerns and your child’s treatment preferences. Collaboratively, we will decide on a medication approach, discuss potential side effects and monitoring procedures, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan. We’ll provide you with a personalized medication regimen that provides clear expectations on dosages, side effects, and a timeframe for evaluation.
3. Medication Monitoring & Adjustment
Follow-up appointments are key to ensuring your child’s medication treatment plan is working as planned. You, your child, and your medication management Mind Works provider will meet periodically for about 20 to 30 minutes (or less once your child is well-adjusted) to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication regimen in managing symptoms. We will discuss any side effects, asses your child’s overall progress and compliance, and collaboratively make adjustments to medication dosage or type based on our evaluation.
4. Transition to Maintenance Phase
If your child demonstrates consistent improvement and stabilization in their behavioral health, we may begin to gradually shift our focus to transitioning your child off of their medication. In accordance with clinical guidelines and best practices, we work toward reducing medication dependence and emphasizing non-pharmacological interventions, such as therapy and lifestyle changes. During this time, we will regularly monitor your child and provide support to help them maintain their progress and prevent relapse. It’s important to remember that every child’s journey is unique and that medication duration varies based on your child or teen’s specific needs and responses.
Begin Your Child’s Success Story
Ready to get started or have more questions for our team before moving forward? Give us a call or fill out a simple form online to start the journey toward your child’s thriving future.
How Medication Management Helps Your Child Thrive at Home, School, and Play
While you may already have a good idea of some of your child’s areas of weakness or noticed symptoms that point to common behavioral, emotional, or developmental disabilities, testing can help confirm your concerns or identify new factors to consider. Here are some ways screening and assessments set your child up for success.
Decreased Symptoms
Medication management can significantly reduce the symptoms of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, allowing your child to function better in their daily life.
Improved Academic Performance
By alleviating symptoms that interfere with focus, concentration, and motivation, medication can help improve a child’s or teen’s academic performance and engagement in school.
Enhanced Social Skills
Medication can help your child to more willingly make new friends, participate in social activities, and bond with family – helping them to ease loneliness and practice new social skills.
Increased Reception to Therapy
Reducing symptoms through medication can make children and teens more receptive to psychotherapy, allowing them to engage more effectively in therapeutic activities and exercises.
Reduced Risk and Safety Concerns
For children and teens at risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, medication management can be a crucial intervention, ensuring their safety while longer-term therapeutic strategies are explored.
Support for Healthy Development
Managing mental health symptoms with medication can support a child’s or teen’s overall development, including emotional regulation, coping skills, resilience, energy levels, focus, and more – contributing to healthier outcomes.
How Medication Management Helps Your Child Thrive at Home, School, and Play
Medication management at Mind Works can help to stabilize your child’s moods, reduce feelings of anxiety, address symptoms of ADHD, and more. This kind of invention can be especially beneficial if your child’s symptoms are severely disrupting their daily life, they aren’t showing sufficient improvement with therapy alone, or there is an immediate concern for their safety. Here are a few of the benefits of considering psychiatric care for your child.
Decreased Symptoms
Medication management can significantly reduce the symptoms of mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD, allowing your child to function better in their daily life.
Improved Academic Performance
By alleviating symptoms that interfere with focus, concentration, and motivation, medication can help improve a child’s or teen’s academic performance and engagement in school.
Enhanced Social Skills
Medication can help your child to more willingly make new friends, participate in social activities, and bond with family – helping them to ease loneliness and practice new social skills.
Increased Reception to Therapy
Reducing symptoms through medication can make children and teens more receptive to psychotherapy, allowing them to engage more effectively in therapeutic activities and exercises.
Reduced Risk and Safety Concerns
For children and teens at risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, medication management can be a crucial intervention, ensuring their safety while longer-term therapeutic strategies are explored.
Support for Healthy Development
Managing mental health symptoms with medication can support a child’s or teen’s overall development, including emotional regulation, coping skills, resilience, energy levels, focus, and more – contributing to healthier outcomes.
Why Mind Works?
Specialized Expertise
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Collaborative Approach
Evidence-Based Care
Frequently Asked Questions:
The decision to use medication as part of your child’s treatment plan depends on several factors, including the severity of their symptoms, how much those symptoms interfere with their daily life, and their response to other treatments. Our team works closely with you and your child to carefully evaluate these aspects and discuss whether medication could be a beneficial addition to their overall care strategy.
We consider a comprehensive evaluation of your child’s symptoms, previous treatments, family medical history, and current coping mechanisms. This ensures that medication management is tailored specifically to your child’s needs and is considered only when necessary, as part of a broader treatment plan.
Decisions about medication should always be made in consultation with your child’s Mind Works provider. Abruptly stopping medication can lead to withdrawal symptoms or a relapse. If your child is showing consistent improvement, we will discuss a tailored plan for gradually reducing or stopping medication under close supervision.
Medication can significantly improve symptoms related to mental health conditions, enhancing your child’s quality of life. However, like all treatments, there can be side effects, which vary depending on the medication and the individual. Our team is committed to discussing potential side effects with you, monitoring your child’s response closely, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure the most effective and comfortable treatment experience.
Parents are crucial partners in medication management. We encourage open communication about your child’s progress, any concerns about side effects, and observations of their behavior at home. Your insights help us fine-tune the medication plan to best support your child’s well-being.
At Mind Works, medication management is part of an integrated treatment approach that may also include psychotherapy, behavioral strategies, and lifestyle modifications. We believe in a holistic care model where medication is used in conjunction with other therapies to support your child’s overall mental health and development.
Success Stories
“Highly recommend Mind Works. I am a clinician in Illinois and needed to find a clinic in Texas that could provide services to my client that was moving. This is no easy feat to do across the United States. Mind Works was fabulous to work with from the very beginning. Coordination of care was 5 stars and my “previous” client is very happy with their new counselor. Thank you very much for going above and beyond during this difficult time so many other counseling offices are facing. I appreciate all the help and coordination you offered my client!”
“I have known the owners for over 8 years and have taken a family member to Mind Works. Therefore, I can speak of them both personally and professionally. There truly is no better place for this service, especially for children and young adults. On the personal level, I know how much they truly care about everyone they meet. On a professional level, the entire staff is a reflection of the dedication to helping others and competence that gets results that the owners exude. During the incredibly trying time of this pandemic and the fear and anxiety it has caused many people, we are incredibly blessed to have Mind Works available to support.”
“The front desk staff is kind and courteous and helped me find the right therapist for my child. When I met my therapist she was kind and explained the process to me. I love that she included me in the play therapy process and helped me understand how to help my child. Thankful for the therapists at Mind Works!”
“Mindworks is the leader in child centered play therapy and collaborative care in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Their focus is solely on the mental health of children and teenagers. Each clinician at all four locations is seasoned, knowledgeable, experienced, and capable. Parents trust that their child is going to get the treatment and services they need and deserve.
I thoroughly enjoyed working as a clinician at Mindworks. The support and leadership is consistent and outstanding. Unlike any other job that I have had, leadership and clinicians work together to cultivate an awesome work environment.”
Help Your Child Soar to New Heights
A world of possibility awaits your child, and we’re so excited for the opportunity to help them work through roadblocks, improve their skills, and unleash their potential. Get in touch with our team and start your child down a happier, healthier path today!
