Frequently Asked Questions
What is a child and adolescent psychiatrist?
A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling, and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents, and their families. A child and adolescent psychiatrist offers families the advantages of a medical education, the medical traditions of professional ethics, and medical responsibility for providing comprehensive care. In addition, a child and adolescent psychiatrist uses knowledge of biological, psychological, and social factors in working with patients.
How does one become a child and adolescent psychiatrist?
Child and adolescent psychiatric training requires four years of medical school; at least three years of approved residency training in medicine, neurology, and general psychiatry with adults; and two years of additional specialized training in psychiatric work with children, adolescents, and their families in an accredited residency in child and adolescent psychiatry. In the general psychiatry training years, the physician achieves competence in the fundamentals of the theory and practice of psychiatry. In the child and adolescent psychiatry training, the trainee acquires a thorough knowledge of normal child and family development, psychopathology, and treatment. Importance is given to disorders that appear in childhood, such as pervasive developmental disorder, attention deficit disorders (ADD, ADHD), learning disabilities, mental retardation, mood disorders, and depressive and anxiety disorders. During training, child and adolescent psychiatrists gain skills by treating children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. Child psychiatrists receive experience in consultation with other physicians, mental health professionals, schools, and community agencies as an important part of training.
What kind of diagnoses does a child and adolescent psychiatrist treat?
A child and adolescent psychiatrist treats multiple behavioral, emotional, and developmental diagnoses. Some of these include: Attention deficit disorders (ADD, ADHD), anxiety disorders (separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, school phobia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder), autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders (major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorders, cyclothymia, mood disorder NOS), schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorders.
Who should see a child and adolescent psychiatrist?
Anyone who is experiencing difficulties with functioning in his/her day-to-day environments over an extended period of time. Examples of this are poor school performance; severe anxiety; aggressive behavior; frequent physical complaints; hyperactivity; frequent temper tantrums; inability to cope with problems; depressed mood; self-harming behaviors; thoughts of hurting oneself; mood swings; or strange thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors.
What ages does Dr. Jeffy treat?
Dr. Jeffy's practice is designed to provide care and services for children between the ages of 3-18 years. He will treat some children under age three on a selected basis if the child is already receiving needed therapy services (speech/language, occupational therapy, and physical therapy). Young adults over 18 will also be seen on a selective basis.
What insurance will Dr. Jeffy accept?
Aetna
Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO
Cigna
Community Care
Health Choice
United/Optum
QuikTrip
What if my insurance is not listed?
If your insurance is not listed and you have Out-of-Network (OON) benefits, our office will provide you with the necessary documentation to file a claim with your insurance company. You will be financially responsible for whatever your insurance does not pay.
is Dr. Jeffy available for custody or divorce cases?
Family problems and challenges frequently co-exist with developmental and behavioral problems, but that is not the focus of Dr. Jeffy's practice. He is not available to testify in court or become involved in custody or divorce cases. This requires a specific therapy relationship and process that would interfere with his ability to focus on your child’s best interests and care. Should this need arise, there are professionals in the community who are equipped to meet this need. If Dr. Jeffy is legally requested or required to attend or participate in court or legal hearings, his professional fee will be a minimum of $5,000 per half-day to cover expenses and time away from his practice.