Toggle Menu

Services / Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Services

Book an Appointment

Gracie Yeo, MD. Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In-office visits in Paoli, PA, and Virtual Care.

Gracie Yeo, MD. Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. In-office visits in Paoli, PA & Virtual Care.

Comprehensive Outpatient Care From Experienced Child Psychiatrists

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates provides expert care from fellowship-trained and board-certified child psychiatrists and adolescent psychiatrists for children, teens, and young adults. We offer comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, therapy, and medication management both in-office and through secure online appointments across multiple states.

Our team specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of emotional, behavioral, developmental, and psychiatric conditions affecting children and adolescents. In addition to treatment, we collaborate closely with families, pediatricians, schools, and teachers to support long-term success at home and in the classroom. We can also assist with IEP and 504 plan recommendations, school accommodations, and coordinated care planning.

Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Conditions Treated at Rittenhouse

Our child psychiatrists and adolescent psychiatrists treat a wide range of mental health and behavioral conditions, including:

  • Anxiety disorders and excessive worry
  • Depression and mood disorders
  • ADHD and attention-deficit disorders
  • Autism spectrum and neurodivergent conditions
  • Learning disabilities and academic challenges
  • Eating disorders and body image concerns
  • Attachment and relationship difficulties
  • Emotional struggles related to divorce, school transitions, grief, or family stress
  • Behavioral challenges and emotional regulation difficulties
  • Social anxiety, peer conflict, and self-esteem concerns

Personalized Treatment Plans From Trusted Child Psychiatrists

Every child receives an individualized treatment plan designed around their emotional, behavioral, academic, and developmental needs.

Our child psychiatrists work closely with parents and caregivers to create thoughtful, evidence-based treatment strategies that support long-term growth and mental wellness.

What to Expect During Your Child’s First Psychiatry Appointment

Initial appointments with a board certified and fellowship trained child and adolescent psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner typically last between 60 and 90 minutes. During the evaluation, your provider will gather information from both the child and family to better understand emotional symptoms, behavioral concerns, academic performance, medical history, and environmental stressors.

Our specialists evaluate conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and learning-related challenges while also considering factors such as school experiences, family dynamics, and physical health.

Depending on your child’s needs, recommendations may include:

  • Child or adolescent therapy
  • Online or in-person counseling
  • Medication management
  • Behavioral strategies and coping tools
  • Family support services
  • School accommodations and IEP/504 recommendations
  • Coordination with pediatricians and educators

Every treatment plan is personalized to support your child’s overall well-being and success.

Evidence-Based Therapy for Children & Adolescents

Sydney Robinson, CRNP. In-office Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Wilmington, DE & Philadelphia, PA.

Sydney Robinson, CRNP. In-office Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Wilmington, DE & Philadelphia, PA.

Our experienced and board certified child psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed therapists provide evidence-based therapy for children and adolescents both online and in-office. Therapy approaches are tailored to your child’s age, personality, and emotional needs to create meaningful, lasting progress.

Treatment options may include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Supportive therapy
  • Play therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Emotional regulation and coping skills training.

Our team works collaboratively with families to ensure children feel safe, supported, and understood throughout treatment.

Thoughtful Medication Management for Children & Teens

Our board-certified and fellowship trained child and adolescent psychiatrists understand that medication is only one part of comprehensive mental health care. We take a conservative, personalized approach to psychiatric medication management for children and adolescents, carefully evaluating whether medication is appropriate based on each child’s symptoms, environment, and treatment goals.

When medication is recommended, our providers focus on:

  • Using the lowest effective dose
  • Monitoring side effects closely
  • Educating parents about risks and benefits
  • Combining medication with therapy and behavioral support whenever appropriate

We treat conditions including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, and eating disorders while respecting each family’s comfort level and treatment preferences.

Medication Management for Children & Adolescents Available in these States:

  • California
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania

Our Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Providers

Ashley Schuetz, CRNP. In-office Child Psychiatry in Pittsburgh & virtual care throughout PA.

Ashley Schuetz, CRNP. In-office Child Psychiatry in Pittsburgh & virtual care throughout PA.

Gracie Yeo, MD

Cara Gouldey, CRNP

Nathan Hardy, MD

Tracy Kuniega-Pietrzak, MD

Juliet Muzere, DO

Sydney Robinson, CRNP

Ashley Schuetz, CRNP

 

Our Child & Adolescent Therapists and Psychologists

Sarah Friedman, PsyD. Offering therapy for children & adolescents at our Philadelphia, PA office.

Sarah Friedman, PsyD: In-office availability in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Friedman additionally serves as Director of Neuropsychological Assessments. Specific testing for children and adolescents, including ADOS testing and evaluations for Autism, ADHD, learning disorders & intellectual disability and other neurodivergence, can be found here. Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates specializes in autism evaluations for those older than 6. For autism diagnoses in those between 18-months and 6 years, we recommend our affiliate RiseNow Autism Innovations. This practice serves familes in-person in PA, NJ & DE, as well as offering online services nationwide.

 

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry FAQ

Nathan Hardy, MD. Faculty at Weil Cornell Medicine. In-office Child appointments in Philadelphia & virtual visits throughout PA & NY.

Nathan Hardy, MD. Faculty at Weil Cornell Medicine. In-office Child appointments in Philadelphia & virtual visits throughout PA & NY.

What Does a Child Psychiatrist Do?

Child and adolescent psychiatry is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing and treating emotional, behavioral, developmental, and psychiatric conditions in children and teens. A child psychiatrist completes medical school, adult psychiatry residency training, and additional fellowship training specifically focused on the mental health needs of children and adolescents.

Because symptoms often appear differently in children than adults, working with a trained adolescent psychiatrist or child psychiatrist can lead to more accurate diagnoses and more effective treatment plans.

 Dr. Tracy Kuniega-Pietrzak, Director of Eating Disorder Services. In-office visits in Baltimore and virtually throughout CA, DE, DC, FL, MD, NJ, NY and PA.

Dr. Tracy Kuniega-Pietrzak, Director of Eating Disorder Services. In-office visits in Baltimore and virtually throughout CA, DE, DC, FL, MD, NJ, NY and PA.

Should I take my child to a child and adolescent psychiatrist or a general psychiatrist?

The presenting symptoms of a mood, anxiety, or learning disorder in a child are often quite different than the symptoms that an individual may present with in adulthood. For example, irritability or behavioral disturbances are commonly associated with the onset of depression in childhood, while sadness tends to be the initial complaint for adults. Having a provider with specialized training in child and adolescent psychiatry may increase the likelihood of obtaining an accurate diagnosis and the best treatment plan for the child’s anxiety disorder, depression, ADHD, or other difficulties.

When Should You Schedule an Appointment With a Child Psychiatrist?

If your child is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, socially, or academically, speaking with a child psychiatrist may help provide clarity and support. Early intervention can improve self-esteem, relationships, school performance, and overall emotional well-being.

You may want to schedule an evaluation if your child experiences:

  • Persistent sadness or anxiety
  • Difficulty focusing or impulsive behavior
  • Social withdrawal or isolation
  • Significant behavioral changes
  • School refusal or declining academic performance
  • Mood swings or emotional outbursts
  • Changes in eating or sleeping habits

Our compassionate team works closely with families to discuss concerns, explain treatment options, and create a supportive path forward tailored to your child’s needs.

Autism Evaluations for Children 18 months to 6 years of age

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates child and adolescent providers typically see children 5-6 years of age and above.

If parents or caregivers are looking for Autism Evaluations for children 18 months – 6 years of age, then we recommend our affiliate RiseNow Autism Innovations. RiseNow provides evaluations and diagnosis in 4 weeks or less, using FDA approved technology, that utilizes short videos that parents can take at home with their child. Families are paired with a specialist who confirms the diagnosis, and then they can start a weekly educational program until state run accommodations begin.

Schedule With A Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Provider Today

  • Appointments generally within 2-3 weeks.
  • Expert providers who trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital, The University of Pennsylvania, Tufts Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and similar institutions.
  • Many of our providers currently teach, or have taught, in Academia, and have been published in peer-reviewed Medical Journals.
  • Thorough and Comprehensive Care; we treat a person in their entirety, not just a singular diagnosis.
  • Coordination with a patient’s psychologist, pediatrician, school & parents.
  • Reasonable Fees, with initial visits for approximately $600 and typical follow-ups $300.
  • 60- or 90-minute initial visits and 30 – 45-minute follow-ups.

Get Started

sarah friedman at desk

Related Resources

Join our Newsletter

Newsletters Updated Quarterly

Download Our Newsletter & Service Brochures