Dr. Schwartz

Child & Adolescent Care

Our children deserve the best in life, and little is more important than their education and health care. Whether it's routine care to maintain optimum health or specialized treatment for severe medical illnesses, deciding who provides this care for your child remains critical. It should always be nothing but the best, especially when it comes to mental health. Education, training, and clinical experience are vital factors to consider when choosing a physician, particularly in the field of Child Adolescent Psychiatry. Due to the deeply personal nature of the issues presented to a psychiatrist, trust becomes paramount. However, selecting a Child & Adolescent psychiatrist with the requisite special traits can be overwhelming. Dr. Schwartz takes pride in delivering exceptional mental health services, focusing on assessment and treatment with the compassion and time parents expect from their physician.

Employing a biopsychosocial approach, Dr. Schwartz integrates biological, psychological, and social factors that influence your child and family. Each child & adolescent is viewed as part of a familial and social network rather than just an individual disconnected from their surroundings. Multiple factors play a role in the pathology of disease in all of us. By thoroughly assessing these factors, Dr. Schwartz formulates a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of psychotherapy, including cognitive and behavioral strategies. Medication is utilized only after exploring all other psychotherapeutic options. As a parent, Dr. Schwartz understands the anxiety surrounding the prospect of a child on medication but recognizes that medications can be very beneficial for various conditions. Medication is reserved for those significantly impaired by their situation, and when prescribing is necessary, Dr. Schwartz takes special care to monitor side effects while keeping patients and their families informed about the associated risks and benefits.

Child & Adolescent Services Provided

Comprehensive Assessment: The process begins with a thorough diagnostic interview involving each child or adolescent and their parents and/or caregivers, all while ensuring confidentiality. This includes utilizing various standardized assessment scales, checklists, and forms from parents and teachers when appropriate. A complete review of medical history, including medication history, past and current medical conditions, Genetic Testing, and a thorough medical assessment (such as blood work, EKG, EEG, MRI, CT when indicated) will be conducted. Coordination with current and previous treatment providers—including pediatricians, medical specialists, and therapists—as well as schools (including teachers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, social workers, and administrators) will be prioritized to compile a holistic understanding of each situation. Following a careful review and discussion of all diagnoses and treatment options, Dr. Schwartz will provide multiple resources for further education and understanding of any diagnosis and treatment recommendations, along with a complete evaluation report as needed.

Comprehensive Treatment

Dr. Schwartz will detail all evidence-based treatment options available for each condition, weighing the risks and benefits, and collaboratively help design a treatment plan with the patient and family. Should medication be indicated, Dr. Schwartz will thoroughly explain the risks and benefits of all prescribed medications and provide written information packets for reference. Close coordination of care with other treatment providers, such as psychologists and counselors, as well as collaboration with pediatricians and medical specialists, will be emphasized. Dr. Schwartz will assist with referrals for additional treatments if necessary, ensuring comprehensive care extending beyond Child Adolescent Psychiatry to also support adult psychiatry needs when appropriate.

Adult Care in Adult Psychiatry

(Treating Adults up to age 60)

When we find ourselves struggling with symptoms related to mental health, the significant impact on our lives often drives us to seek treatment. Once you decide to pursue Adult Psychiatry, knowing where to go and whom to trust can be frustrating and daunting. Dr. Schwartz offers the best care in a comfortable environment with complete confidentiality, creating a space where you can feel at ease.

Conditions Treated

Trained in various psychiatric disorders, Dr. Schwartz provides Mental Health Services for conditions that may be completely disabling or even for individuals merely dealing with mild stress from life's challenges. Whether it's Adult Psychiatry or Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Schwartz is here to help.

Comprehensive Assessment

The process begins with a full diagnostic interview, which includes a complete review of medical history, medication history, and any past and current medical illnesses. A comprehensive medical assessment may be conducted when indicated (e.g., genetic testing, blood work, EKG, EEG, MRI, CT, etc.). Coordination with current and previous treatment providers, including primary care physicians, medical specialists, and therapists, will occur only with your full written consent.

Diagnostic Assessment with Treatment Recommendations

Dr. Schwartz carefully reviews, explains, and discusses all diagnoses, providing multiple sources of information to enhance your understanding of both diagnosis and treatment options related to adult and adolescent psychiatry.

Comprehensive Treatment

In the realm of Mental Health Services, Dr. Schwartz will thoroughly explain all evidence-based treatment options for each condition, weighing the risks and benefits of these treatments. Together with the patient and family members, a tailored treatment plan will be designed. This may include psychopharmacology, with detailed discussions about the risks and benefits of all recommended medications, as well as written information packets. Options like individual psychodynamic psychotherapy and family therapy will also be explored. Dr. Schwartz ensures ongoing close coordination of care with other treatment providers and collaborates with primary care physicians and medical specialists while assisting with any necessary referrals for additional treatments.

Give An Hour

Dr. Schwartz is a member of Give An Hour, a nonprofit organization that provides free mental health services, including adult psychiatry and child adolescent psychiatry, to U.S. military personnel and families affected by the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as any other active duty service members.

Modern medical technology now enables us to test for the individual genetic differences within each patient, significantly enhancing Adult Psychiatry and Child Adolescent Psychiatry practices. The Arizona Schwartz Group can analyze how each person's liver metabolizes medication, which varies from individual to individual. The liver contains a sophisticated array of proteins known as the Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Complex (CYP). By swabbing your cheek and sending the sample to the lab for analysis, we can obtain a comprehensive report detailing how your liver specifically metabolizes each psychotropic medication. This information is invaluable in predicting which medication you are more likely to respond to, which ones you might experience side effects from, and which medications you may not respond to at all. We can assess all antidepressants, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and more, thereby improving our mental health services.