Most telepsychiatry companies will tell you that mental health challenges do not discriminate based on age, but they won’t explain the need for different providers for different populations. Both adults and children are susceptible to a wide range of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. But just as a pediatrician specializes in the medical care of children, there are specialties and different types of psychiatrists who treat children, adolescents, and adults.
This article explores the types of psychiatrists in our telepsychiatry network and why the right provider is key to your program’s success.
Differences in Each Type of Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists who specialize in different age groups bring distinct training, perspectives, and treatment approaches. In this section, we’ll explore how adult and child/adolescent psychiatrists differ in education, focus, and methodology.
The Path to Specialization
Both adult and child psychiatrists start on a similar path. The journey begins with medical school, followed by a four-year residency in general psychiatry. It’s after this foundation that the paths diverge.
- Adult psychiatrists focus on the complexities of mental health conditions in adults, including age-related issues like dementia. They might delve into areas like addiction psychiatry or geriatric psychiatry.
- Child and adolescent psychiatrists have a unique understanding of developmental stages, family dynamics, and the ways mental illnesses present in young people.
The Focus of Treatment
Let’s break down the key areas where the focus of treatment differs between these two types of psychiatrists:
Developmental Factors
- Child psychiatrists must acquire knowledge of the developmental stages children go through and assess mental health within that context, considering school, family, and social factors. They must also be able to identify when things deviate from the expected trajectory.
- Adult psychiatrists assess mental health through the lens of life stages such as early adulthood, middle age, and older adulthood. They may focus on stressors related to work, relationships, aging, or chronic illness, and often address complex, long-standing psychiatric conditions.
Conditions and Symptoms
- Child psychiatrists: While children and adults may experience similar diagnoses, presentation can differ. For example, irritability may be a more prominent sign of depression in a child than the low mood commonly seen in adults. Other conditions, like ADHD or autism spectrum disorders, are typically diagnosed in childhood and require age-specific understanding.
- Adult psychiatrists: Adults often present with more defined symptom patterns, such as persistent sadness, anxiety, or disorganized thinking. Diagnoses like major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders are common, and treatment often involves long-term condition management.
Treatment Approaches
- Child psychiatrists often rely heavily on play therapy, family therapy, and school collaboration. Medication is used with careful consideration, taking into account potential side effects on a developing body and brain.
- Adult psychiatrists are more likely to use a combination of medication and talk therapy, like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or psychodynamic therapy. Treatment plans are often developed collaboratively with the patient.
External Influences & Lifestyle
- Child psychiatrists frequently work within the child’s system, engaging parents, teachers, and other significant figures to support the child’s treatment goals. Children lack autonomy over many aspects of their lives, so building a network of support is critical.
- Adult psychiatrists focus on helping patients navigate life stressors, relationships, employment, and independent living. They typically work directly with patients, guiding them in building coping skills, lifestyle changes, and support systems that foster long-term stability.
Other Licensed Mental Health Professionals in Telepsychiatry
In addition to adult and child psychiatrists, telepsychiatry providers like FasPsych may also offer access to other licensed professionals who support mental health care:
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs / PMHNPs): Skilled in diagnosis, treatment, and medication management, often working in collaboration with psychiatrists.
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) and Counselors: Trained to provide therapy, crisis intervention, and care coordination, helping to address emotional and behavioral needs across patient populations.
Which Specialist Does My Organization Need?
The type of psychiatrist you need depends on the population you serve. If you’re a therapist looking to expand your capabilities and you exclusively work with children, you may only need to work with a child psychiatrist. If you’re an employer looking to provide mental health options to your staff, you may only need an adult psychiatrist. If you’re an emergency department looking to improve patient care in the ER, you may need access to all types of psychiatrists. Telepsychiatry companies like FasPsych offer access to a full range of mental health professionals to match your needs.
Here are some helpful tips on how to match the specialist to the patient for better care and outcomes:
| Patient Scenario | Consult an Adult Psychiatrist If… | Consult a Child or Adolescent Psychiatrist If… |
|---|---|---|
| Age Group | The patient is 18 or older. | The patient is under 18 or under parental care. |
| Mood or Behavior Changes | The adult is showing signs of depression, anxiety, irritability, or mood swings that interfere with daily life. | The child or teen displays sudden emotional shifts, frequent outbursts, withdrawal, or defiance beyond age-appropriate norms. |
| Functioning in Daily Life | The patient struggles with work performance, relationships, or completing routine tasks. | The child has difficulty focusing in school, experiences a drop in academic performance, or avoids previously enjoyed activities. |
| Substance Use | The patient is misusing drugs or alcohol, or showing signs of addiction. | Early signs of substance use or risky behavior are observed in a teen or adolescent. |
| Thoughts & Mental State | The patient experiences intrusive thoughts, suicidal ideation, paranoia, hallucinations, or severe emotional distress. | The child talks about death, engages in self-harm, or shows extreme fear or confusion without explanation. |
| Sleep & Eating Patterns | The adult has significant insomnia, oversleeping, or appetite/weight changes. | The child is experiencing sleep disturbances (e.g., nightmares, fatigue), or eating problems like food refusal or bingeing. |
| Other Risk Factors | The patient has a history of trauma, PTSD, or chronic physical/mental health conditions. | The child has experienced recent trauma (e.g., bullying, parental separation, loss) or major changes in their environment or support system. |
Choose a Telepsychiatry Network for Access to Different Types of Psychiatrists
While distinctions exist, it’s important to remember that mental health care doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Good psychiatrists, regardless of specialization, consult colleagues who specialize in particular areas, and work in tandem with pediatricians and other medical specialists to ensure well-rounded care.
Finding the right mental health professionals for your patients is critical. If you are looking for telepsychiatry companies to help you provide the best possible care, contact FasPsych today.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Types of Psychiatrists
Are there other types of psychiatrists besides child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrists?
Yes. There are several subspecialties within psychiatry. Some of the most common include:
- Geriatric Psychiatrists: Specialize in mental health issues affecting older adults, such as dementia or late-life depression.
- Addiction Psychiatrists: Focus on substance use disorders and related behavioral health conditions.
- Forensic Psychiatrists: Work at the intersection of mental health and the legal system, often conducting competency evaluations or providing expert testimony.
- Emergency Psychiatrists: Work in acute care settings, such as emergency departments or crisis centers.
Telepsychiatry networks like FasPsych often provide access to a wide range of psychiatric subspecialists depending on the needs of your organization.
How do I request a specific type of psychiatrist with FasPsych?
Requesting a specific type of psychiatrist through FasPsych is simple and flexible. During the onboarding process, you can specify the age group, patient population, or subspecialty you need. Our team will match your organization with the right providers from their extensive network based on your preferences, state, organization type, patient needs, and scheduling requirements. If your needs evolve, the FasPsych team can adjust your coverage accordingly.
Can adult psychiatrists treat teenagers?
In many cases, yes. However, if the patient is still in school, under parental care, or experiencing developmentally specific challenges, a child or adolescent psychiatrist is typically the best fit.
What age does a child need to be to see a child psychiatrist?
Child psychiatrists typically work with patients from early childhood through adolescence (ages 3–17). Some may also treat young adults who are still in transition or under dependent care.
Are there telepsychiatry providers who can support both children and adults?
Yes. Comprehensive telepsychiatry networks like FasPsych offer access to a full spectrum of mental health professionals, including adult psychiatrists, child/adolescent psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and therapists.