Psychiatric care for children and teens ages 6–17 in Chesapeake, Virginia
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Chesapeake, VA
When a child’s worry, mood, attention, or behavior starts getting in the way of school, friendships, or family life, it can be hard to know what is part of growing up and what needs care. South Chesapeake Psychiatry provides psychiatric evaluations and medication management for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 in Chesapeake and throughout Hampton Roads.
Care begins with a 60-minute initial evaluation with you and your child. Amanda Snow and Alysha Cunningham see children from age 6, and Justin Ray sees teens from age 12. Our self-pay practice sees families in person in Chesapeake, and virtual visits may be available when clinically appropriate and subject to clinician licensing requirements.
- Ages 6–17Children and teens
- 60 minutesInitial evaluation
- Self-payClear, direct care
- Virtual optionWhen eligible
Recognizing the signs
Concerns We Commonly Evaluate in Children and Teens
Children and adolescents often show distress differently than adults. A younger child may have stomachaches before school, frequent meltdowns, or trouble falling asleep. A teenager may pull away from friends, become irritable, lose interest in activities, or see grades slip. These changes do not always mean a psychiatric condition, but changes that persist deserve a careful look.
Families commonly come to South Chesapeake Psychiatry with questions about ADHD and attention problems, anxiety and excessive worry, depression and low mood, irritability or mood swings, trauma-related symptoms, and sleep or appetite changes connected to emotional health.
Development matters. Behavior that is typical at one age can be a concern at another, and symptoms can look different at home, at school, and with friends. The goal of an evaluation is to understand your child in context rather than to attach a label quickly.
Careful assessment
How a Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Evaluation Works
There is no single test, scan, or questionnaire that can diagnose a child’s mental health condition. Rating scales completed by parents and teachers can be helpful, but they are one part of a broader clinical assessment.
A child or adolescent evaluation may consider:
- Current concerns at home, at school, and with friends
- Developmental history, early milestones, and when the concerns began
- School performance, teacher feedback, and any prior testing or support plans
- Sleep, appetite, physical health, and current medications
- Family history of mental health conditions
- Safety concerns, stressful events, and how the family is coping
Anxiety, depression, sleep problems, learning differences, medical conditions, and stressful life events can resemble ADHD or overlap with it. A thoughtful evaluation considers which explanation—or combination of explanations—best fits your child’s history.
Report cards, teacher comments, prior evaluations, or records from your child’s pediatrician can be useful when available. In some situations, a follow-up visit, additional records, or a referral for psychological or educational testing may be recommended before a diagnosis or treatment decision is made.
Your first visit
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Appointment
The initial evaluation is scheduled for 60 minutes with one of our psychiatric nurse practitioners. Amanda Snow, MSN, PMHNP-BC, and Alysha Cunningham, MSN, PMHNP-BC, see children and adolescents from age 6. Justin Ray, MSN, PMHNP-BC, sees adolescents from age 12. A parent or legal guardian attends and shares background on development, health, and the concerns that led to the visit. Depending on your child’s age, the clinician may also spend part of the visit with your child or teen one-on-one, which helps many young people share things they may not say in front of a parent.
To prepare, gather a list of current medications, any prior psychiatric or psychological records, recent report cards or teacher feedback, and any school support plan such as an IEP or 504 plan. These materials are helpful, but not all are required.
Receiving an evaluation does not guarantee a diagnosis or a prescription. The goal is to reach a clear, supportable understanding of what your child is experiencing and to agree on reasonable next steps as a family.
Ongoing care
Thoughtful Medication Management for Young People
Medication can be one part of a child’s or teen’s treatment plan, and it is not always the first step. When medication is considered, the clinician will explain why, review the expected benefits and possible side effects, and discuss alternatives so you can make an informed decision for your child.
Children and adolescents can respond to medications differently than adults, and dosing often needs to be adjusted as a child grows. Follow-up visits are used to check benefit, side effects, sleep, appetite, growth, school functioning, and whether the plan is still the right fit.
If your child is in crisis or may be at risk of harm, call or text 988 or call 911. Information on this page is educational and is not individualized medical advice.
More tools in the toolbox
Working With Families, Schools, and Other Providers
South Chesapeake Psychiatry provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management. These appointments are not weekly psychotherapy, family therapy, or comprehensive psychological or educational testing.
Many children and teens do best with a combination of supports, which may include therapy, parent guidance, school accommodations, healthy sleep routines, and treatment for co-occurring conditions. When a recommendation falls outside our practice, we can help you think through next steps.
When your child already works with a pediatrician, therapist, school counselor, or other specialist, coordinated care can help keep everyone working toward the same goals. With your permission, information can be shared so treatment decisions are made with the full picture in mind.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Child and Teen Psychiatry
What ages do you see, and who sees children?
South Chesapeake Psychiatry sees clients from age 6 through adulthood. Amanda Snow, MSN, PMHNP-BC, and Alysha Cunningham, MSN, PMHNP-BC, see children and adolescents ages 6 to 17. Justin Ray, MSN, PMHNP-BC, sees adolescents ages 12 and older as well as adults. Teens who start care with the practice can continue after they turn 18.
Does a parent need to attend the appointment?
Yes. For clients under 18, a parent or legal guardian attends the initial evaluation and is involved in treatment decisions. As teens get older, the clinician may also spend part of each visit with them one-on-one.
Will my child be prescribed medication at the first visit?
Not necessarily. An evaluation does not guarantee a diagnosis or a prescription. The clinician will consider your child’s history, information from home and school, safety factors, and whether more information is needed before recommending treatment.
Are virtual appointments available for children and teens?
Virtual visits may be available when clinically appropriate and when the client is located in a jurisdiction where the clinician is licensed to provide care. South Chesapeake Psychiatry is a self-pay practice and also offers in-person care in Chesapeake. Contact the office for current fees and appointment availability.
Take the next step
Schedule a Child or Teen Psychiatric Evaluation in Chesapeake
If you are worried about your child’s mood, worry, attention, or behavior, a comprehensive evaluation can help clarify what is happening and what options make sense for your family.
South Chesapeake Psychiatry serves self-pay families from Chesapeake and across Hampton Roads through 60-minute initial evaluations and ongoing medication-management visits.
