Child · Teen · Young Adult Psychiatry
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
A thoughtful, developmentally informed evaluation for children, teens, and young adults ages 5–25 across Florida.
ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism-related concerns, mood symptoms, sleep, behavior, and school functioning.
Symptoms are reviewed in the context of development, family life, school demands, medical history, and functioning.
Clear next steps may include therapy, medication options, school support, parent guidance, or additional testing.
Comprehensive Evaluation · Telehealth · Ages 5–25 · Florida
Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
A structured, whole-person assessment to clarify diagnosis and design a tailored treatment plan for children, teens, and young adults across Florida.
At SHIELD Psychiatry, the psychiatric evaluation is a comprehensive, structured assessment designed to build a complete understanding of your child or young adult's mental health and create a personalized care plan.
We integrate clinical history, current symptoms, strengths, family and school context, and medical screening when indicated. This whole-person approach helps distinguish primary conditions from contributing factors — including anxiety, sleep problems, learning differences, autism-related needs, and trauma — and ensures precise, compassionate treatment.
The result is a clear diagnostic formulation and an individualized roadmap that may include therapy collaboration, skill-building, medication management, school or college recommendations, and parent coaching.
Family-centered, whole-person psychiatric evaluation for children, teens, and young adults ages 5–25 across Florida.
Second Opinion · Diagnostic Clarity · Telehealth · Florida
Second-Opinion Psychiatric Evaluation
Clarity, confirmation, and fresh insights when a diagnosis or treatment plan remains uncertain — or when a previous evaluation didn't feel complete.
A second-opinion psychiatric evaluation offers a fresh, in-depth review of an individual's mental health diagnosis and treatment history. It can provide reassurance, new diagnostic clarity, or alternative treatment directions — especially when prior evaluations have felt incomplete, when symptoms haven't responded to treatment, or when families have questions about a diagnosis their child received elsewhere.
At SHIELD Psychiatry, Dr. Akers conducts a comprehensive, evidence-based review that considers the full clinical picture — not just the prior diagnosis. The goal is to help families move forward with confidence in a care plan that fits their child's actual needs.
A second-opinion evaluation is billed as a full initial evaluation at $349, and insurance through Headway may be available for eligible Florida plans.
Second-opinion evaluations that provide diagnostic clarity, reassurance, and evidence-based guidance for families across Florida.
Safety Planning · Included in Evaluation · Telehealth · Florida
Personalized Safety Planning
Proactive, evidence-informed safety plans to help children, teens, young adults, and families navigate suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, severe anxiety, or emotional distress.
At SHIELD Psychiatry, safety planning is a collaborative, strengths-based process that helps individuals and families prepare for and manage periods of heightened emotional risk. When clinically indicated, it is included as part of the comprehensive psychiatric evaluation — not billed as a separate service.
Your personalized safety plan integrates coping strategies, environment adjustments, support network roles, and clear decision-making steps so your family is never left guessing what to do when distress intensifies.
Safety planning at SHIELD Psychiatry is prevention-focused — it is not an immediate crisis stabilization service. For psychiatric emergencies, please use the crisis resources below.
Need immediate help?
If you or your child is in imminent danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Safety planning that strengthens family resilience, builds coping skills, and prepares children and teens for difficult moments.
Our Services
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🔍 Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluations
Our comprehensive psychiatric evaluations offer detailed insights and personalized recommendations for managing ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions. Through thorough assessment and evidence-based practices, we help children, teens, and young adults gain a clearer understanding of their challenges and available treatment options.
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🧠 ADHD Evaluation
Concerned about ADHD in your child? Our comprehensive ADHD evaluation offers a thorough and accurate diagnosis, followed by personalized treatment plans tailored to your child's unique needs. At SHIELD Psychiatry, we focus on evidence-based care delivered with compassion and cultural competence to help your child thrive.
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🧩 Autism Support Services
Autism Support at SHIELD Psychiatry
At SHIELD Psychiatry, we understand that each child or adolescent with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has unique needs. Our specialized telepsychiatry services offer comprehensive, compassionate care designed to support children, teens, and young adults ages 5-25 living with autism.
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😟 Anxiety & Mood Disorders
Is your child experiencing anxiety or mood changes? At SHIELD Psychiatry, we understand how challenging it can be for young people to navigate these feelings. Our compassionate, evidence-based treatment approaches are tailored to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents, providing support in a kid-friendly and stigma-free environment.
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🧑🏫 Behavioral Services
Behavioral therapy at SHIELD employs proven, evidence-based techniques designed to support children, teens, and young adults in managing and modifying challenging behaviors. Our skilled therapists work closely with families to develop individualized strategies tailored to each child's unique needs. These customized plans focus on improving emotional regulation, enhancing social skills, and building effective coping mechanisms.
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🌙 CBT-I for Insomnia
Is your child having difficulty falling or staying asleep? Addressing childhood insomnia early can improve their mood, behavior, and overall health. At SHIELD Psychiatry, we offer evidence-based, child-friendly insomnia treatments tailored to your child’s unique needs. Our approach includes behavioral strategies, establishing healthy sleep routines, and when appropriate, medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions.
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👪 Parent and Child Coaching
Need support navigating your child’s behavioral or learning challenges? Our parent coaching and school consultation services offer expert guidance designed to empower you and support your child’s success. With personalized strategies and professional insights, we help address ADHD, anxiety, autism, and other developmental concerns, ensuring your child thrives academically and socially.
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🔄 Healthcare Transition Services
SHIELD Psychiatry PLLC offers a healthcare transition program for ages 14 to 25, guiding youth from pediatric to adult mental health services. It includes tailored education, personalized planning, and ongoing support to ensure care continuity. We empower youth with ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism to navigate this transition confidently, promoting stability and long-term wellness through culturally competent, stigma-free care. Effective planning fosters independence, reduces care gaps, and improves health outcomes during this key developmental stage.
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🏫 School & College Consultations
At SHIELD Psychiatry, we partner with schools and colleges to support the mental health and academic success of children, teens, and young adults. We offer expert consultations, tailored behavioral support, and detailed documentation for IEPs and accommodations. Collaborating with educators, we help meet each student’s unique needs for better learning and well-being.
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QbCheck ADHD Testing
QbCheck is an objective, FDA-cleared diagnostic tool designed to assist in the evaluation of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It combines a computerized continuous performance test with a motion-tracking system to measure attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity—key symptoms of ADHD in children, adolescents, and young adults.
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Pharmacogenomic Testing
Pharmacogenomics studies how genetics affect medication response. In child and adolescent psychiatry, it guides personalized treatment by identifying effective drugs and reducing adverse effects. This approach improves outcomes for ADHD, anxiety, depression, and autism while minimizing trial-and-error. At SHIELD Psychiatry, we use pharmacogenomic data to provide culturally competent, evidence-based care tailored to each patient’s genetic profile, ensuring safer, more precise treatments for children, teens, and young adults.
