Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Consultations and Assessments
Dr Athina Zakynthinaki provides specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment for children and adolescents through secure video consultations across the UK. Care is provided directly by a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, from the initial assessment through to treatment and follow-up where required.
Who this is for
This service is appropriate for children and adolescents experiencing:
• Anxiety — including generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and panic
• Depression and low mood
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Emotional dysregulation and behavioural difficulties
• School-related anxiety or avoidance
• Sleep difficulties
• Mental health difficulties occurring alongside autism or ADHD
As a remote outpatient clinic, we cannot provide emergency or crisis care, treatment for an active eating disorder, or assessment where significant risk or medical instability requires face-to-face monitoring. We are not able to help where a young person is currently self-harming, has had recent thoughts of suicide or a recent attempt, or is already being treated by a CAMHS team. In these situations, local services are best placed to keep your child safe, and your GP can refer you. If you are unsure, contact us and we will advise.
Initial consultation
An initial psychiatric consultation is usually the appropriate starting point when there is a particular concern and you would like a specialist opinion.
During the consultation, Dr Zakynthinaki will explore your child’s current difficulties, relevant history and circumstances. You will receive an initial clinical formulation and clear recommendations about the most appropriate next steps. These may include psychological therapy, medication, further psychiatric assessment, liaison with other professionals or a neurodevelopmental assessment.
Some focused presentations can be assessed and a treatment plan agreed within this appointment. Where the presentation is more complex, further assessment appointments may be required before a diagnosis or treatment plan can be finalised. This may include reviewing questionnaires, obtaining information from school or other professionals, exploring possible co-occurring conditions, or meeting with the child separately.
If features of autism or ADHD are identified, Dr Zakynthinaki will explain whether a separate neurodevelopmental assessment is recommended. Screening during a psychiatric consultation is not equivalent to a full autism or ADHD diagnostic assessment.
Comprehensive psychiatric assessment
A comprehensive psychiatric assessment is appropriate where the presentation is more complex, longstanding or unclear, particularly where there are overlapping mental health, developmental, educational or behavioural concerns.
The assessment considers your child’s developmental, psychiatric, medical, family and educational history, together with their current mental state and functioning. Information from parents, school and other professionals may also be requested where clinically relevant.
Screening for possible autism or ADHD may form part of this assessment. Screening does not confirm or exclude a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. If a full autism or ADHD assessment is indicated, this will be discussed with you and offered through the separate neurodevelopmental assessment pathway.
A written report is provided following a comprehensive psychiatric assessment, bringing together the clinical findings, formulation, diagnostic conclusions where appropriate, and recommendations for treatment and support.
Treatment and follow-up
Where treatment is indicated and can be provided safely through a remote service, Dr Zakynthinaki can continue to oversee your child’s care. This may include medication, monitoring, follow-up consultations and communication with your child’s GP, school or other professionals, with your consent.