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Psychiatry Services
Child psychiatrists at Jefferson Center are board-certified medical doctors who have completed extensive training in field residency and child psychiatry fellowship programs.

No referral needed. Call or email our team today!
MelissaWa@jcmh.org 
 303-432-5043.

Psychiatry Services

What is Psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that specializes in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental, emotional, behavioral, and substance disorders.

Child and adolescent psychiatrists have expertise in the unique developmental, biological, psychological, and social factors that influence mental health in younger populations from infancy through young adulthood. They also have specialized knowledge regarding how psychiatric medications affect developing brains and bodies.

Psychiatrists use many different tools and approaches to create a well‑rounded treatment plan. This can include medication, therapy, working with other doctors or school staff, and helping families make parenting or lifestyle changes that support mental health.

What to Expect:

    1. When you contact the psychiatry team at Jefferson Center, they will schedule an intake appointment and then a 90‑minute evaluation for you and your child with a Board‑Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.

    2. The main purpose of this evaluation is to understand your child’s symptoms, identify possible causes, and make a diagnosis that will guide treatment.

    3. After the evaluation, the psychiatry team will help you create a treatment plan. This may include therapy, additional testing (such as for ADHD or Autism), and/or medication if needed. They can also communicate with your child’s school and provide recommendations while you wait for any psychological testing.

    4. Because they are medical doctors, they can also suggest referrals or treatments for physical health issues that may be affecting your child’s symptoms.