Child Psychiatrist in Boston for High-Achieving Families

A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed medical school and specialized residency training in both psychiatry and child psychiatry. Psychiatrists can diagnose conditions, prescribe and monitor medications, order medical tests when needed, and coordinate care with other physicians. A child psychologist holds a doctoral degree in psychology and provides therapy, psychological testing, and behavioral interventions but cannot prescribe medication. Many children benefit from working with both—a psychiatrist managing medication and a psychologist providing therapy.

Child psychiatrists are trained to evaluate and treat children from early childhood through adolescence (typically ages 3-18, though some practices see young adults as well). The approach differs significantly by developmental stage—evaluation of a preschooler looks very different from evaluation of a teenager.

Consider seeing a psychiatrist first if you suspect your child may need medication, if your child's symptoms are severe enough to significantly impair daily functioning, if previous therapy hasn't been effective, if there's diagnostic uncertainty, or if your child has multiple or complex symptoms. A psychiatrist can always refer to therapy if that's what's needed; starting with a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation ensures you have accurate diagnosis guiding treatment decisions.

Thorough evaluations require time. Initial assessments in our practice typically span 90 minutes to two hours, allowing review of developmental history, school performance, family dynamics, and clinical interview with both parents and child. Follow-up appointments are generally 45-60 minutes, significantly longer than standard fifteen-minute medication checks.

Not necessarily. Many childhood conditions improve with therapy, environmental modifications, or educational interventions alone. When medication is considered, we discuss the specific benefits and risks for your child, alternative approaches, and what to expect. The goal is always the minimum effective treatment—and for some children, that means no medication at all.

Frequency depends on your child's needs and treatment phase. During initial evaluation and medication adjustment periods, appointments may be weekly or biweekly. Once stable, many families shift to monthly or quarterly visits for monitoring. Our concierge model also provides between-visit access for questions and concerns, reducing the need for frequent scheduled appointments.

Yes, with your permission. We communicate with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ensure alignment between home, school, and clinical care. For children requiring accommodations or special education services, we provide documentation and collaborate with educational teams.

Telehealth can be effective for many aspects of child psychiatric care, including follow-up appointments, medication monitoring, and parent consultation. Initial evaluations are typically conducted in person when possible to allow fuller assessment. We offer telehealth to families throughout Massachusetts.

Concierge care means longer appointments, direct access to your child's psychiatrist, smaller patient panels allowing more personalized attention, and practice design focused on patient needs rather than insurance-driven volume. Families pay a membership or retainer fee that covers enhanced access and unhurried care. The result is the kind of relationship-based medicine that benefits children with complex needs.