Beyond meds: Whole-child, relationship-centered care.

A collaborative approach to supporting kids and teens and the people who care for them.

You’ve tried everything you can think of to help your child feel better - but nothing seems to make a real difference.

You’ve noticed your child isn’t quite themselves, and deep down, you know they need more support than you can give on your own.

Maybe you’ve brought up your concerns before, at a routine checkup or with another provider, but it didn’t feel like anyone truly listened. You left with more questions than answers, and your child left feeling like just another chart on the schedule.

Or maybe you’ve been holding off, hoping things would improve with time. You’ve tried adjusting routines, offering more structure or more flexibility, reading all the parenting blogs. But it’s still not getting better, and it’s starting to take a toll on the whole family.

And now you’re starting to notice…

  • They seem emotionally drained, like they’re carrying a weight you can’t quite reach, and they don’t bounce back like they used to.

  • They’re on edge, reacting with big emotions to small things, as if the world just feels too overwhelming right now.

  • They seem distant or foggy - numb, checked out, or struggling to find joy in the things they used to love.

  • They’re disconnected from themselves, from you, from their friends, like they’re watching life happen rather than being part of it.

  • They can’t seem to focus, stay organized, or follow through, even on things they care about. You’re wondering if it might be ADHD, or something more.

Our holistic approach helps kids thrive by looking deeper.

  • Medication management involves a comprehensive approach that encompasses evaluating, prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting medications to optimize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse effects. By carefully selecting the most suitable medication and dosage, your child can achieve symptom relief and improve your quality of life. We believe medications can be a life-changing tool and always prioritize the use of the lowest most effective dose.

  • Psychotherapy is seamlessly woven into each of your child’s sessions. Supportive psychotherapy emphasizes building a trusting therapeutic relationship to provide emotional support, validation, and guidance, helping you and your child cope with stressors and develop healthier coping strategies.

    We may utilize cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and behaviors, promoting cognitive restructuring and behavior change to alleviate symptoms of various mental health conditions.

    Mindfulness involves cultivating present-moment awareness and acceptance of thoughts, emotions, and sensations, reducing reactivity and promoting psychological well-being.

    Motivational interviewing fosters intrinsic motivation for change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.

    When combined, these approaches complement each other effectively, offering a holistic approach to psychiatric care. Supportive psychotherapy establishes a foundation of support, CBT equips with practical tools for change, mindfulness enhances self-awareness, and motivational interviewing ignites motivation for personal growth. Together, they can empower you to manage symptoms, improve coping abilities, and foster resilience, ultimately promoting long-term mental health and well-being.

  • Pharmaceutical grade supplements are dietary supplements that meet high standards for purity, potency, and quality set by regulatory authorities. Certain vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts have been shown to influence neurotransmitter function, reduce inflammation, and support brain health. Our goal is supporting your child’s natural healing processes thereby promoting better mental and emotional resilience.

  • Comprehensive lab testing involves analyzing various biological markers to gain insights into your well-being. These tests can provide valuable information about underlying physiological imbalances or deficiencies that may contribute to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or mood disorders. This approach can lead to more effective and efficient management of mental health conditions, improving outcomes and overall quality of life for individuals struggling with mental health challenges.

  • Parent and lifestyle coaching supports your mental wellness by helping you create meaningful, sustainable changes in your daily life and parenting journey. Together, we’ll focus on areas like sleep, stress, nutrition, routines, and relationships both with yourself and your family. This collaborative process is designed to empower you with practical tools and personalized strategies that promote balance, resilience, and emotional well-being for both you and your household.

At the end of the day…

We want you to know that your child’s struggles don’t define their future. With the right support, healing is possible, for them and for your family. We’ll walk this path with you, every step of the way.

There is hope - there is help.

Is psychiatry the right fit for your family?

Holistic psychiatry helps kids and teens better understand themselves and their mental health, building resilience, confidence, and lasting well-being along the way.

We know that when a child is struggling, the whole family feels it. Whether your child is navigating big emotions, trouble with focus, anxiety, or challenges at school or home, it can feel overwhelming to know where to start.

At Present Life Psychiatry, we work with children and adolescents ages 9 and up, always keeping their developmental stage - and your role as caregiver - at the center of our work. We take time to understand what’s going on beneath the surface and create a care plan that feels thoughtful, sustainable, and tailored to your child.

We don’t rush to medicate. And we don’t believe in labels without context. Instead, we start with connection, building a relationship with your child and with you, so we can offer care that supports long-term wellness and resilience.

What you’ll gain

With holistic psychiatry, you can…

  • Help your child not only feel better emotionally but also experience greater balance, resilience, and quality of life.

  • Address the root causes of their struggles—not just the symptoms—so they can grow with greater self-awareness and confidence.

  • Support your child in building healthier habits through nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and therapy, all working together.

  • Feel supported as a family through a comprehensive, whole-child approach that honors every part of your child’s well-being.

  • Equip your child with personalized coping skills to navigate challenges at home, school, and in relationships with greater ease.

Get in touch

Change is possible.

Click this link to choose a day and time for a confidential evaluation. During our sessions, we'll delve into your experiences, gaining valuable insights into your mental health and determining the most effective approach for you. Together, we'll embark on a step-by-step journey to help your child feel like themselves again!

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • Holistic psychiatry for kids and teens means we look beyond just symptoms—we consider sleep, nutrition, school stress, family dynamics, emotional development, and more. We work with you to understand the whole child and create a plan that supports lasting well-being, not just quick fixes. When appropriate, medication can be one part of a broader, thoughtful approach.

  • No, we take a slow, thoughtful approach. Medication can be helpful for some kids, but it's never our first or only step. We focus on understanding the full picture and exploring all options together before making any decisions.

  • Our initial evaluation includes a comprehensive interview with caregivers, time with your child or teen, and a review of their history, symptoms, and environment. We also often collaborate with your child’s support team, including their pediatrician, therapist, or school - if you give us permission - to ensure coordinated care. We aim to truly understand what’s going on, not just check boxes.

  • Yes, we offer comprehensive ADHD evaluations that may include clinical interviews, rating scales, and optional objective testing (such as the QbCheck). If further testing is needed, we can refer for neuropsychological evaluation.

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