Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Mental Health Care
Children and adolescents can experience mental health concerns that affect school, relationships, sleep, behavior, confidence, concentration, and everyday functioning.
Clear Sky Wellness, PLLC provides psychiatric mental health care for children and adolescents, including psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and ongoing follow-up care.
Johanna Christensen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, is dual board-certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Her training allows her to provide care across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Mental Health Care for Children and Teens
Mental health concerns in children and adolescents may look different from those in adults.
Symptoms can appear as:
- Changes in mood
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
- Declining school performance
- Difficulty completing assignments
- Increased worry or fear
- Panic symptoms
- Sleep problems
- Withdrawal from family or friends
- Loss of interest in activities
- Behavioral changes
- Restlessness or impulsivity
- Frequent physical complaints
- Changes in appetite
- Emotional outbursts
- Difficulty adjusting to stress or change
Evaluation can help determine whether symptoms are related to a psychiatric condition, developmental concern, stress, sleep, family circumstances, medical issues, or other factors.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Evaluation
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to understand the full picture of a child or adolescent’s symptoms, functioning, history, and needs.
Depending on age and clinical circumstances, an evaluation may include discussion of:
- Current symptoms
- Developmental history
- School performance
- Attention and concentration
- Mood and anxiety
- Sleep
- Family history
- Medical history
- Current medications
- Previous treatment
- Trauma or significant life events when relevant
- Social relationships
- Behavioral concerns
- Home and school functioning
Parents or guardians are often an important part of the evaluation process, while age-appropriate privacy and participation are also respected.
ADHD Evaluation and Treatment
ADHD can affect attention, organization, impulse control, time management, school performance, and family life.
Children and adolescents with ADHD may experience:
- Difficulty staying focused
- Trouble completing assignments
- Forgetfulness
- Disorganization
- Restlessness
- Impulsivity
- Difficulty following directions
- Poor time management
- Frequent loss of school or personal items
- Difficulty transitioning between tasks
Because ADHD symptoms can overlap with anxiety, depression, trauma, sleep problems, learning concerns, and other conditions, evaluation considers the broader clinical picture.
Treatment may include medication management, behavioral strategies, therapy recommendations, school-related supports, and ongoing follow-up.
Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
Anxiety may appear as excessive worry, avoidance, perfectionism, irritability, physical complaints, sleep problems, or difficulty separating from caregivers.
Some children and teens may have difficulty describing anxiety directly.
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent worry
- Fear of school or social situations
- Panic symptoms
- Trouble sleeping
- Stomachaches or headaches
- Irritability
- Reassurance seeking
- Avoidance
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical tension
Treatment may include psychiatric medication management, therapy recommendations, coping strategies, and follow-up based on individual needs.
Depression in Children and Teens
Depression in younger patients does not always appear as sadness.
It may include:
- Irritability
- Withdrawal
- Low motivation
- Loss of interest
- Changes in sleep
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Declining school performance
- Fatigue
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Increased conflict with family or peers
A comprehensive evaluation helps determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Mood and Behavioral Concerns
Significant changes in mood, behavior, sleep, or functioning can sometimes indicate an underlying mental health condition.
Evaluation may help clarify concerns related to:
- Mood disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Emotional regulation
- Irritability
- Stress-related conditions
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Behavioral changes
- Sleep-related mental health concerns
Treatment recommendations are individualized based on symptoms, history, age, and clinical needs.
Psychiatric Medication Management for Children & Adolescents
Medication may be appropriate for some children and adolescents as part of a broader treatment plan.
Medication management may include:
- Reviewing symptoms
- Discussing potential benefits and risks
- Monitoring medication effectiveness
- Monitoring side effects
- Reviewing sleep, appetite, mood, and concentration
- Adjusting treatment when clinically appropriate
- Reviewing other medications and medical conditions
- Coordinating care with therapists, primary care clinicians, or other professionals
Parents and guardians are encouraged to ask questions and participate actively in treatment decisions.
A Whole-Person Approach
Mental and physical health are closely connected.
Sleep, nutrition, medications, school stress, family relationships, medical conditions, developmental changes, and life experiences can all influence emotional well-being.
Johanna’s dual certification in family practice and psychiatric mental health supports a broader approach that considers both physical and mental health factors when appropriate.
Working With Parents and Families
Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping children and adolescents succeed in treatment.
Care may include:
- Education about symptoms
- Guidance on treatment options
- Medication education
- Discussion of home and school concerns
- Coordination with other healthcare professionals
- Therapy recommendations
- Follow-up planning
The goal is to support both the young person and the family while maintaining appropriate privacy and respect for the child or adolescent.
School-Related Concerns
Mental health symptoms can affect school attendance, concentration, behavior, learning, motivation, and academic performance.
When appropriate, care may include discussion of:
- School stress
- Attention and concentration
- Test anxiety
- Social concerns
- Behavioral changes
- Attendance difficulties
- Emotional regulation
- Sleep and its impact on learning
Clear Sky Wellness, PLLC may coordinate with other professionals when appropriate and authorized.
Telehealth Mental Health Care for Children & Adolescents
Telehealth may be available for appropriate psychiatric evaluations, medication-management visits, and follow-up care.
Telehealth suitability depends on:
- Age
- Clinical needs
- Patient location
- Safety considerations
- The type of evaluation or treatment needed
Some concerns may require an in-person appointment.
Evening & Weekend Appointments
We understand that school, work, sports, and family schedules can make weekday appointments difficult.
Clear Sky Wellness, PLLC may offer evening, night, and weekend appointment options based on provider availability.
These flexible options can make it easier for families to access care without missing school or work whenever possible.
When Immediate Help Is Needed
Some mental health symptoms require urgent or emergency evaluation.
Call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, or contact 988 if a child or adolescent is:
- At immediate risk of self-harm
- Expressing suicidal intent
- At risk of harming another person
- Experiencing severe agitation
- Experiencing hallucinations or psychosis
- Unable to remain safe
Emergency situations should not be managed through routine telehealth or outpatient scheduling.
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Care in Detroit Lakes and Hawley
Clear Sky Wellness provides in-person psychiatric mental health care at:
Detroit Lakes
Clear Sky Wellness, PLLC
1208 Washington Ave, Suite A
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
Phone: (218) 845-3535
Hawley
Clear Sky Wellness, PLLC
407 6th St, Suite 105
Hawley, MN 56549
Phone: (218) 845-3535
Telehealth may also be available when clinically appropriate and permitted by provider licensure requirements.
Schedule an Appointment
If your child or adolescent is experiencing concerns related to attention, anxiety, depression, mood, sleep, behavior, stress, or other mental health symptoms, a psychiatric evaluation can help determine appropriate next steps.
Phone: (218) 845-3535
Schedule Online