Track: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Psychology 2025

Developmental Considerations in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
    1. Understanding typical developmental milestones and how they relate to mental health
    2. Age-specific diagnostic criteria: How symptoms of mental health disorders may present differently in children and adolescents
    3. The role of family, environment, and school in shaping mental health outcomes
Common Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents:
    1. Anxiety Disorders: Childhood anxiety, social anxiety, and separation anxiety in younger children
    2. Depression and Mood Disorders: Signs of depression in children and adolescents, and the risk of underdiagnosis
    3. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Diagnosis, treatment options, and managing ADHD in educational settings
    4. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Early identification and therapeutic interventions for ASD
    5. Conduct Disorders and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): Behavioral management and therapeutic interventions
The Role of Therapy in Child and Adolescent Mental Health:
    1. Play Therapy: The use of play as a therapeutic tool for younger children in understanding emotions and processing trauma
    2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Adolescents: Tailoring CBT techniques to address the cognitive distortions and challenges faced by adolescents
    3. Family Therapy: Addressing family dynamics, parenting challenges, and involving the family in treatment
    4. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children and adolescents who have experienced abuse or trauma
Pharmacotherapy in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
    1. Psychopharmacological treatments: Medications for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and mood disorders
    2. Risk-benefit analysis: Monitoring for side effects and managing medication in youth
    3. Ethical considerations: Informed consent, parental involvement, and understanding the impact of long-term medication use in children
School and Social Interventions for Mental Health Disorders:
    1. The role of schools in early identification and intervention for mental health concerns
    2. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans: Supporting students with mental health disorders in the academic environment
    3. School-based mental health programs and counseling services
    4. The importance of peer support, bullying prevention, and social skills training
Adolescent Risk Behaviors and Mental Health:
    1. Exploring the connection between mental health disorders and risk-taking behaviors in adolescents, including substance abuse, self-harm, and early sexual activity
    2. Protective factors: Building resilience, emotional regulation, and coping skills in adolescents
    3. The role of social media and digital environments in influencing adolescent mental health
Innovations in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
    1. Telepsychiatry: The growing role of virtual consultations and mental health services for children and teens
    2. Mindfulness and meditation practices for managing stress, anxiety, and emotional regulation in youth
    3. Integrating technology: Apps and online platforms designed to support mental health in children and adolescents
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Treating Youth:
    1. Navigating the complexities of consent and confidentiality in child and adolescent psychiatry
    2. Understanding the legal aspects of involuntary treatment, including when parents and guardians disagree with a child’s treatment plan
    3. Child protection issues: Mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect in the context of mental health care
Learning Objectives:
  1. Gain an in-depth understanding of the common mental health disorders that affect children and adolescents, as well as their unique presentation in younger populations.
  2. Explore evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to the developmental needs of children and adolescents.
  3. Understand the role of medication in treating mental health disorders in youth and the ethical considerations surrounding treatment.
  4. Learn about the importance of early intervention and the collaborative approach that involves family, school, and healthcare providers in supporting the mental health of children and adolescents.