Orange Psychiatric Associates Home Page

668 Maitland Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

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Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

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(407) 675-3220

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS PSYCHIATRY

Home » Psychiatry Services » Children & Adolescents

Before outlining my approach to child and adolescent psychiatry, I want to assure parents that your child’s mental health issues are not your fault. Many parents blame themselves for their children’s problems, but the truth is most mental disorders stem from a neurobiological basis. Just as you wouldn’t blame yourself for your child’s seizure disorder, asthma or appendicitis, you cannot blame yourself for your child’s mental illness.

Unfortunately, mental illness can happen to anyone and about 50% lifetime cases of mental illnesses begin by the age of 14. The good news is that most mental disorders that affect children and adolescents’ brain chemistry can be treated effectively with evidence based pharmacological solutions.

As a pediatric psychiatrist, I advocate for the optimal development and overall wellness of children and their families. Families either thrive or languish together. Happy children help contribute to overall happiness of the family.

Untreated mental health disorders can have a serious impact on your child’s health and lead to significantly negative personal, social, financial, and community consequences. In children and teenagers, untreated mental illness can lead to more severe symptoms and development of other co-occurring mental illnesses.  Fortunately, pharmacological advancements have created treatment options that can help your child fulfill his/her full potential. The key is to seek treatment as early as possible.

I firmly believe that less is more when it comes to medicating children and will let you know if he/she doesn’t need it or if it can wait. Also, If I feel I am not the best fit for your child, I will refer you to someone I think is better suited. You are not in this alone. I will help you find the resources you need to help your child thrive.

My Approach

My approach is to spend time getting to really know your child—your child’s strengths as well as his/her challenges. I collaborate with you and with your child’s pediatrician, therapist, and teachers to ensure I have a complete understanding of your child’s behaviors. I develop a plan that recognizes your child’s gifts while addressing behavioral problems.

I work with your child’s psychotherapist to help your child build self-esteem, positive motivation, optimism, and hope for the future. My goal is for every child I treat to be able to see the universe as a beautiful, bountiful, and benevolent place that is filled with endless possibilities.

My daughter was having trouble in school and we were sent to see Dr. D. My husband and I were very concerned about how a psychiatrist would approach treating our child. After the first appointment, we realized Dr. D. is truly amazing. He is wonderful with my daughter and really takes the time to listen and get to know her. He’s not a pill pusher, but will obviously give suggestions. He never...

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