Book Appointment 800 2923

Psychiatry

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

American Wellness Center in Dubai Healthcare City is one of UAE’s leading healthcare provider in psychiatry, mental and behavioral support.

We offer services in Dubai (UAE) where patients from Gulf region and beyond come for treatment. AWC Dubai  caters for all ages and backgrounds across the continuum of care as an outpatient facility and specialized programs for adults, children, adolescents, and older individuals in mental and behavior health sector. We are experienced caring for a diverse population of patients, with programs that reflect and support the need of our communities. We are proud of our long history of providing compassionate care with each patient's personal needs in mind, and we maintain a firm commitment to putting our patients first.

Who is a child and adolescent Psychiatrist?

A child and adolescent psychiatrist is a medical doctor and physician who specializes in the diagnosis and the treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents, and their families and is authorized to prescribe medication if required. A child and adolescent psychiatrist offers families the advantage of acquiring medical training, the medical traditions of professional ethics, and medical responsibility in addition to having psychological treatment training for providing comprehensive care including medication management.

A child and adolescent psychiatrist can treat children and young people up to the age of 18 with a wide range of mental health conditions.

Why would you see a Child Psychiatrist?

Most mental health issues develop during early life, therefore identifying youth mental health early on is a critical part of the mental health care with advantage of early detection and early management. Our child and adolescent psychiatrists are consultant doctors trained to provide expert, evidence-based, family-focused mental health care to infants, children, adolescents and youths.

Psychiatrists are Medical doctors (MD or DO) specializing in treating a wide range of illnesses affecting the mind and brain and authorized to prescribe medication based on your mental health condition in conjunction with physical health. Their work makes a significant difference to the lives of very vulnerable children and young people. Psychiatrists at AWC Dubai Healthcare City are extremely qualified, understanding and eager to make you feel better.


Our child and adolescent mental health services cover:
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Communication disorders (language disorders, speech sound disorders, social or pragmatic communication disorders, childhood-onset fluency disorder)
  • Specific learning disorders
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
  • Neurodevelopmental motor disorders (developmental coordination disorders, dyspraxia, stereotypic disorder, tic disorders, Tourette’s syndrome)
  • Depressive disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Trauma and stress related disorders
  • Dissociative disorders
  • Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders
  • Substance-related and/or internet addictive disorders
  • Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Bipolar and related disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
  • Somatic symptoms and related disorders
  • Feeding and eating disorders
  • Elimination disorders (enuresis and encopresis)

When these conditions persist over time, not only can they become increasingly complex, but serious consequences can spill into all corners of our lives.

 

How we work

We provide outpatient care for children, adolescents, and adults.  We also have specialty programs designed to meet the unique needs.

At American Wellness Center our child and adolescent psychiatrist uses a knowledge of biological, psychological, and social factors in working with patients. Initially, a comprehensive diagnostic interview is performed to evaluate the current problem with special attention to its physical, genetic, developmental, emotional, cognitive, educational, family, peer, and social components. The child and adolescent psychiatrist arrives at a diagnosis and diagnostic formulation which are shared with the patient and family. The child and adolescent psychiatrist then designs a treatment plan which considers all the components and discusses these recommendations with the child or adolescent and family.

An integrated approach may involve individual, group or family psychotherapy; medication; and/or consultation with other physicians or professionals from schools depending upon the needs. They may perform examinations, order laboratory tests, recommend psychological assessment, EEG and / or brain scans.

(“Diagnoses” is defined as symptoms clusters identified and agreed upon by the American Psychiatric Association in what they call DSM-5, which is 5th edition (published 2013) of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).


Our team of Psychiatrists use multiple treatment strategies. These can include:

What are the types of medication management?

  • Antidepressants are used to treat depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders
  • Stimulants can treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Antipsychotic medications can treat psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations) of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and mood disorders
  • Sedatives and hypnotics can treat anxiety and sleeping problems
  • Mood stabilizers/anti-epileptics can treat bipolar, cyclothymia disorder

Our Clinicians

Dr. Muhammad S. Tahir

Consultant Psychiatrist, Neurologist (Child , Adolescent and Adults ) Director Educational Programs

M.D. ABPN (USA) - American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology

Dr. Mustaq Siddique

Consultant Psychiatrist

Asst. Prof of Psychiatry (Adult, Child & Adolescent) Columbia University of New York, USA. Senior Attending of Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Hospital of Columbia & Cornell University, NY, USA
Load More

Related Articles

FAQs

Child and adolescent psychiatry focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental health disorders in young people. Psychiatrists specializing in this field understand the unique emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges children and teens face. At the American Wellness Center in Dubai, our child and adolescent psychiatrists work with young patients and their families to provide evidence-based treatment that supports mental and emotional well-being.
Our child and adolescent psychiatrists are trained to treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including:
  • Mood disorders: Such as depression and bipolar disorder.
  • Anxiety disorders: Including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias.
  • ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder): Issues with attention, focus, and impulsive behavior.
  • Behavioral disorders: Such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder.
  • Autism spectrum disorders: Addressing social, behavioral, and communication challenges.
  • Eating disorders: Including anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder.
  • Trauma and stress-related disorders: Such as PTSD.
  • Psychotic disorders: Including early onset of schizophrenia.
While both psychiatrists and psychologists help address mental health concerns, psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication and manage complex mental health conditions that may require pharmacological intervention, and also do psychotherapy. Psychologists, on the other hand, primarily provide therapy and counseling. At the American Wellness Center, our psychiatrists and psychologists always collaborate to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for each young patient.
You may consider consulting a child psychiatrist if your child:
  • Exhibits extreme mood swings, anxiety, or persistent sadness.
  • Has difficulty focusing, sitting still, or following instructions, which may impact their school performance.
  • Shows aggression, defiance, or behavior that disrupts family life.
  • Experiences withdrawal from friends and activities.
  • Exhibits symptoms of eating disorders, self-harm, or thoughts of harming themselves or others.
The first session typically involves an in-depth evaluation, where the psychiatrist gathers information from both the child and parent(s) about the child’s medical history, behavioral patterns, and any symptoms. The psychiatrist may ask questions in a way that is age-appropriate and comfortable for the child. This initial assessment helps in creating a personalized treatment plan tailored to the child’s specific needs.

Our psychiatrists provide various treatment options, including:

  • Medication management: When appropriate, medication can be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
  • Psychotherapy: Such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which addresses thought and behavior patterns.
  • Family therapy: To support healthy family dynamics and improve communication.
  • Behavioral interventions: Techniques to manage specific behaviors in children and adolescents.
  • Psychoeducation: Educating the child and family about the condition to help them understand and cope effectively.
Medications prescribed by our psychiatrists are thoroughly evaluated for safety, especially when it comes to children and adolescents. Our team takes a cautious approach, prescribing only when necessary and monitoring the child closely for any side effects. The psychiatrist will discuss the benefits, risks, and alternatives with you to ensure informed decision-making.

Parents play a critical role in the success of their child’s treatment. This includes:

  • Being involved: Attending therapy sessions if recommended and working with the psychiatrist to follow the treatment plan.
  • Monitoring progress: Observing and reporting any changes in behavior or symptoms.
  • Providing a supportive environment: Creating a stable, understanding, and safe home environment.
  • Encouraging open communication: Letting your child know that they can talk about their feelings and experiences without judgment.
The length of treatment varies depending on the child’s condition, response to therapy, and overall progress. Some children may benefit from short-term intervention, while others may need ongoing support. Regular follow-up appointments allow the psychiatrist to monitor the child’s progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
It’s normal for children or teens to feel hesitant about psychiatric sessions. Our team at the American Wellness Center is experienced in working with reluctant young patients, using age-appropriate techniques to help them feel comfortable and safe. Parents can encourage their child by explaining the benefits of treatment and addressing any fears or misconceptions they may have.
Yes, confidentiality is a key component of psychiatric care. Our psychiatrists follow strict confidentiality guidelines, and information shared during sessions is kept private. However, confidentiality may be limited if there is a risk of harm to the child or others. The psychiatrist will explain confidentiality policies to both the child and parents at the start of treatment to build trust and ensure clarity.
With parental consent, our psychiatrists can collaborate with school counselors, teachers, or support staff to provide a holistic approach to your child’s well-being. School involvement can help ensure that the child receives consistent support both in and outside of the home environment, which can be beneficial, particularly for conditions that affect learning and behavior.
Insurance coverage for psychiatric services varies based on the specific plan and provider. Many insurance policies cover psychiatric consultations and certain treatments. We recommend reaching out to your insurance provider to confirm coverage. For further assistance, our team at the American Wellness Center can help answer questions related to insurance coverage.
To schedule an appointment with one of our child and adolescent psychiatrists, please visit our Contact Us page. Our staff will guide you through the booking process and answer any questions you may have to help prepare for your child’s first session.

Reach Us

Want to Schedule an Appointment please select the Clinician and fill up the form we will be in touch shortly.

8002923 Email
Book an Appointment
×