Crittenton Children’s Center Treatment Team
At Crittenton, we have a variety of experts who collaborate to create a personal treatment plan specific to your child.
How Crittenton’s multidisciplinary team works:
- Psychiatrists and advanced practice registered nurses lead the multidisciplinary team and manage psychiatric and medical care
- Psychologists and therapists offer diagnostic assessment and provide therapeutic intervention
- Registered nurses and behavioral health technicians implement treatment plans and therapy
- Licensed clinical social workers and professional counselors provide one-on-one, family, and group therapy
Psychiatrist
This is your child’s physician. A psychiatrist specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders.
The psychiatrists at Crittenton direct the treatment of our hospital and residential patients. They review the information about your child’s condition and provide the initial order for admission. They also complete your child’s initial psychiatric evaluation.
After diagnosis, your child’s psychiatrist will manage any medications required to treat the condition. The psychiatrist may also provide therapy and will act as captain of the multidisciplinary team.
The psychiatrist determines when your child is ready to be discharged from Crittenton.
Psychologist
Psychologists conduct tests to help determine your child's baseline and to help the team diagnose and create a personalized care plan for your child’s condition.
The psychologist has advanced training in many types of therapy and will select the most helpful type for your child and family.
Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
The APRN works closely with the psychiatrist to direct your child’s treatment at Crittenton. Like the psychiatrist, an APRN is trained and licensed to provide the initial admission order and psychiatric evaluation. Likewise, the APRN may determine your child’s diagnosis and medication needs. The APRN may also provide therapy and collaborate with the rest of your child’s Crittenton team to direct treatment.
Psychiatric nurse
We have several registered psychiatric nurses on staff at Crittenton who are highly experienced in working specifically with children. These nurses specialize in the treatment of mental illness and social disorders.
They have two priorities:
- Making sure each team member has up-to-date information about your child’s goals and progress
- Providing the care your child needs while at Crittenton
Our nurses follow the medication and treatment orders of your child’s multidisciplinary care team. They ensure your child’s treatment is administered as planned, and they help maintain a safe environment for all of the children and staff at Crittenton.
Therapists
A Crittenton therapist will work directly with your child and family. He or she is the key point of contact for your child’s progress and treatment decisions at Crittenton.
Your therapist has advanced training in specific therapy methods. As a member of your child’s multidisciplinary team, the therapist will determine and provide the most effective therapies and tools for your child.
Expressive therapists
Expressive therapists use art therapy, horticultural therapy, recreation therapy, music therapy, or other therapy, to help children explore their feelings, emotions, and thoughts.
Behavioral health technician
Crittenton’s behavioral health technicians manage our patient units. They lead your child in daily activities such as groups, journaling, and expressive discussion, as well as more basic tasks such as hygiene and meals. Their top priority is to create a rapport with your child so they can provide the support your child needs for emotional healing and personal growth.
Chaplain
As an important part of the Crittenton care team, the chaplain provides a weekly interfaith chapel service for your child and guides them when they seek additional spiritual resources and rituals. The chaplain also listens and serves as a compassionate spiritual counselor for your family when your child:
- Struggles with a diagnosis or treatment
- Feels emotional or spiritual distress
- Questions beliefs (“Why are bad things happening?”)
- Experiences change, grief, trauma, or loss
- Doesn’t have family and/or social support