Child psychiatric consultation
The first signs of emotional or behavioural difficulties in a child often raise concern and many questions. Changes in mood, withdrawal, excessive excitability or difficulties in everyday functioning can have various causes — developmental, environmental or health-related.
A consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist allows for a calm and thorough look at the child's situation, an understanding of the source of the difficulties and the planning of further support — appropriate to the child's age and needs.
At Równoważni MED we work on the basis of attentiveness, clinical experience and collaboration with parents. Our aim is not only to make a diagnosis, but above all to understand the child within their developmental and family context.
When is it worth consulting a child psychiatrist?
The first emotional and developmental difficulties in young children are often expressed not through words, but through behaviour, sleep, eating or the way they respond to their surroundings. A psychiatric consultation can help to better understand the child's needs and look more closely at what lies behind them.
Warto rozważyć wizytę, gdy u dziecka pojawiają się:
- częsty niepokój, trudności z wyciszeniem lub nadmierna płaczliwość (również u niemowląt)
- trudności ze snem, częste wybudzenia lub problemy z zasypianiem
- trudności z jedzeniem lub karmieniem
- silna potrzeba kontroli, wybuchy złości lub trudności w regulacji emocji
- wycofanie, brak zainteresowania kontaktem lub zabawą
- trudności adaptacyjne (np. w żłobku, przedszkolu lub szkole)
- trudności w relacjach z rówieśnikami
- nadmierna ruchliwość, impulsywność lub trudności z koncentracją
- opóźnienia w rozwoju mowy lub komunikacji
- nagłe zmiany w zachowaniu dziecka
Konsultacja może być również elementem pogłębionej diagnostyki w kierunku:
- ADHD
- zaburzeń lękowych
- zaburzeń ze spektrum autyzmu
- trudności rozwojowych i regulacyjnych
Jeśli coś w funkcjonowaniu dziecka budzi Twoją uważność lub niepokój – warto to spokojnie sprawdzić. Wczesna konsultacja pozwala lepiej zrozumieć sytuację i dobrać odpowiednie wsparcie.
What does the first appointment with a child psychiatrist look like?
The first consultation is diagnostic in nature, lasts 50 minutes and includes a conversation with the parent and — depending on the child's age — also a conversation between the child and the specialist.
Parental interview
The psychiatrist gathers information about:
the child's development (from pregnancy and birth to the present)
functioning at home, nursery or school
current difficulties
previous diagnoses and consultations
Part of the conversation may take place without the child present, in order to discuss more sensitive matters freely.
Meeting with the child
Depending on the child's age and readiness, the doctor makes contact through conversation or observation during activities and play adapted to the child's abilities.
The aim is not an examination in the formal sense, but observation and an understanding of the child's way of functioning, their emotions and how they respond.
Initial conclusions and next steps
At the end of the appointment, the doctor discusses their observations with the parents and proposes next steps.
These may include:
recommendations regarding support for the child
a recommendation for psychotherapy or other forms of help
further assessment
in justified cases — the introduction of pharmacological treatment
a follow-up appointment scheduled over a longer timeframe if the child's condition does not require the start of a therapeutic process.
Every decision is discussed with the parent in a calm and understandable way.
Cost of appointments
Psychiatric consultation: 750 PLN
Follow-up consultation during treatment: 550 PLN
Duration of appointment
The first consultation typically lasts 50–75 minutes.
Follow-up consultation during treatment: 45 min
Post-appointment summary
After the consultation, parents receive a written summary which includes:
- conclusions from the appointment
- recommendations regarding further steps
- an individual treatment or support plan
Booking an appointment
An appointment can be booked through the online booking system or by contacting the clinic reception.
How to prepare for the appointment?
For the first consultation it is worth bringing:
the child's medical documentation
reports from school or nursery (if available)
previous psychological or educational assessments
a list of observations and questions you would like to discuss with the doctor
you may also prepare short video clips showing the behaviour that is concerning you. This often helps the specialist better understand the situation you are describing.
How to prepare the child?
It is good to speak with the child in advance about the planned appointment. It is worth mentioning that during the meeting the child will be free to use the toys and equipment in the consulting room. This is a great opportunity for the specialist to observe the child. It is worth avoiding phrases that may cause anxiety, such as "the psychiatrist will be watching how you behave" or "you have to say that...". The most important thing is to create a sense of safety and calm.
Have a question?
A young child does not say directly when something is too difficult for them. Find out which signals are worth paying attention to.