Teen Mental Health
Psychiatric care designed for adolescents and young adults
Understanding Teen Mental Health
The teenage years bring unique mental health challenges, identity formation, academic pressure, social dynamics, and often the first emergence of conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Prescribing for teens requires a different approach than adult psychiatry: more careful dosing, different medication considerations, and a family-centered model that includes parents in the process.
Common Concerns
- Depression and persistent sadness
- Anxiety, social, academic, or generalized
- ADHD symptoms affecting school performance
- Gender identity and related mental health needs
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Behavioral changes, withdrawal, irritability, sleep disruption
- Adjustment to major life transitions (school changes, family changes)
How We Treat It
Emily Masnica specializes in adolescent and young adult psychiatric care, with training from the National Institutes of Health and Columbia University. Teen visits at New Path include a dedicated parent conference, typically 15 minutes of the visit, so that parents are informed and involved. We coordinate with school counselors, therapists, and pediatricians as needed.
Our approach prioritizes careful, conservative medication management, starting low, monitoring closely, and making sure the teen and their family understand every aspect of treatment.
