Who are my clients and what problems are they experiencing?

It is estimated that 1 in 5 children in the United States suffers from mental, emotional or behavioral problems in a given year. These problems are real health problems and effective treatments are available. Mental health problems are often referred to as disorders. I diagnose and treat children with the following mental health disorders:

Anxiety Disorders
Severe Depression
Bipolar Disorder
Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Schizophrenia

The causes of mental health disorders in children are biology, environment or a combination of the two. Genetics, chemical imbalances in the body, and damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury are examples of biological causes. Exposure to domestic or community violence, extreme stress, and loss of important loved ones, and other types of losses-such as out-of-home placement, the loss of friends or pets- are examples of the environmental factors that contribute to mental disorders.

What do you do?

I am a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), licensed in Colorado to provide evaluation, diagnosis and medication management, as well as therapy for emotional and behavioral problems including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, ADHD, psychotic disorders, and developmental disorders with patients from early childhood through adolescence. An emphasis on patient education and the importance of therapy, combined with traditional medication and/or alternative and combination therapies represent my view of holistic treatment.

How do I make an appointment for my child?

Weekly office hours are Monday through Wednesday, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday through Saturday from 9AM to 5PM. Requests for appointments may be made by phone at (303) 785-6522. If you get my voice mail, please leave a message. My office is located in Castle Pines North, just off I25 at exit # 188. The address is 7437 Village Square Dr Suite #210, Castle Rock, CO 80108.

What forms of payment are accepted and what about insurance?

Payment for services is expected at the time of service. Fees vary based upon services provided. I diagnose, prescribe and do brief psychotherapy. If we determine the need for more extensive therapy, I will refer you to a therapist with expertise in your child’s area of need.

Insurance

I accept certain insurances and usually a co-pay is required. Insurance policies vary, and I will be happy to discuss your insurance coverage with you. I will also provide you with an itemized statement for you to send to your insurance company if needed.

Do you have any particular specialty areas?

I specialize in working with children and adolescents.

How long is each treatment session?

The initial intake session for children is typically 60 minutes. Subsequent treatment sessions vary in length from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the purpose of the visit.

How often will we need to meet with you?

If medications are newly prescribed for your child, we will meet bi-weekly for the first 6 weeks of treatment and after that on an as needed basis.

If my child needs medication, how long will they need to take it?

Not all children need medications for mental health disorders-“it depends” is the best answer that can be given. Therapy is essential and often changing things in your child’s environment can really help him or her adapt more positively. If medication is necessary it is important to remember that every child responds to medications differently and starting low and going slow is best for your child. If parents or siblings are taking medication for mental health problems and those medications work for them, it is very likely that your child may have a similar response. It is difficult to say how long a child may need medication for, as individuals respond differently.

Thank you for visiting my website. I welcome your confidential phone call or private e-mail to discuss your current concerns or answer any questions you may have about the treatment process. Please contact me at:

Mary Riccelli, PMHNP
7437 Village Square Drive, Suite 210
Castle Rock, Colorado (located in Castle Pines North) 80108
303-785-6522 (or mary@crombieskids.com)