Child psychiatry outpatient clinic, Vaasa
The clinic helps children aged 0-12 and their families in the region with mental health and developmental problems, and issues related to parenting, where primary health care interventions have not been sufficient. We diagnose and treat children with moderate to severe mental disorders. Care is provided by a multiprofessional team.
The assessment and treatment of children’s psychiatric symptoms is always initiated at the primary health care level, drawing on the expertise of the multiprofessional teams of the social services, health care, and school health care services (early childhood education and care, school health care, family services, family counselling).
A doctor’s referral from school health services, a health center, or another primary health care facility, is needed to visit the outpatient clinic. Visits to the clinic are free of charge.
If, despite primary health care interventions, there is no improvement in the child’s mental well-being and functional capacity, and the symptoms are moderate or severe, a referral to the outpatient clinic should be considered in cooperation with the child and his or her guardians.
Especially in unclear situations, we recommend consulting the outpatient clinic before making a referral.
First appointment and initial assessment period
Once the referral reaches the child psychiatry outpatient clinic, it is processed by the referral team. If the referral is accepted, the family will be sent a first appointment to the outpatient clinic. The whole family is encouraged to attend the first appointment.
The first visit is part of the initial assessment period, which is generally carried out for all families who come into care. The initial assessment period includes visits for the child and parents, as well as a doctor´s consultation to review the child’s and the family’s challenges and strengths and assess the need for further care.
Types of treatment
Treatment methods include individual and group therapy, discussions with the parents, family therapy, crisis intervention, support for the child and family in the home environment, network meetings, early interaction support, enhanced family therapy and the services of a consultation team. If individual therapy is recommended for the child in the outpatient clinic, regular visits by parents to family workers are also required. Treatment is regularly assessed and planned in a doctor´s consultation with the family.
Together with the family, the network surrounding the family is identified, and if necessary, contact is made with the school, day-care center, social services, or other care providers.
If outpatient treatment is insufficient, the doctor will assess, together with the family, whether to refer the child to the children’s psychiatric ward.
Early childhood psychiatry
Early childhood psychiatry treats children aged 0-5 years and their families, including parents during pregnancy, if necessary. Our aim is to improve and support parent-child interaction. Families come to the clinic with a referral from a doctor to the child psychiatry outpatient clinic.
Consultation team
School and day-care center staff and other authorities can make a phone consultation if they have concerns about a child (5-12 years). The permission of the parents or guardians is needed if the child’s name is mentioned during the call. We can attend a network meeting or meeting with school staff/other authorities to meet the family. The aim is to increase the involvement of children and families in their care, and to intervene early when concerns about a minor arise. After the telephone contact, meetings can be arranged at home, school, or the day-care center, as necessary.
Forensic psychiatry for children and adolescents
We conduct forensic investigations, which are part of pretrial investigations, and requested by the police. Requests concern allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children and adolescents under 18 years of age.