A lot of teenagers and young adults deal with mental health difficulties, but many lose continuous care as they get older. The transition from a child psychiatrist to an adult psychiatrist can be rocky if it’s not properly planned, leaving your teen feeling vulnerable and unsupported.
Helping your child find the right psychiatrist is part of building an adult mental health team that can support them through this huge life transition. Whether they’re staying at home, going to college, or starting full-time work, this time in life can be incredibly challenging.
Your teen’s care provider should manage this transition early and be attentive to family concerns. We’ll discuss what you should expect by exploring:
If a young person with mental health difficulties needs continuing care after they turn 18, they are referred from adolescent psychiatry to general adult psychiatry. While a “transfer” between services simply means the closure of care at one service and reestablishing care at another, “transition” emphasizes that this is a process.[1]
It is essential that this process happens thoughtfully and with care, so the experience isn’t abrupt or more distressing than it needs to be.[1]
There is no set template for the transition from child to adult psychiatry. It can happen for different reasons, start at different ages, and go more or less smoothly. As a result, every young adult’s experience of the transition is different, and some will face more challenges than others.[2][3]
The term “young adult” generally refers to people between the ages of 15 and 26. Globally, transitions to adult mental health services can take place at any point along this spectrum. The optimal time for one young person won’t be the same for another, and when it happens typically depends on individual circumstances and other factors.[2]
Some common things that lead to the transition from child to adult psychiatry include:[2]
Knowing what can make this transition challenging will help you anticipate problems and take steps to support your teen. It may also help to know that this process is typically challenging for most families, which can offer reassurance if your young adult is struggling.
Crucially, young adults at this point in life are dealing with two transitions simultaneously: the switch from adolescent to adult psychiatry and the transition from high school into adulthood itself. Common challenges with the first transition include:[2][3]
Young adult mental health is often being challenged at this important stage of life. Mental health difficulties can:
Loneliness, financial pressures, and academic expectations can be an intense burden for young people thrust into independence for the first time.
If your teen has to navigate building an adult mental health care team at the same time, it’s natural for them—and you—to feel unsettled.
Though it can be a difficult process, transitioning from a pediatric psychiatrist has its benefits. Many young adults turning 18 with a mental health condition can benefit from adult-specific care. For example:[2]
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
This transition should be an efficient, pre-planned, and personalized process that puts you at the center of your own care. It needs to meet your medical, educational, emotional, and psychosocial needs, and take your developmental progress into account.[3]
Parents and young adults can take certain steps to make this transition smoother, working alongside care providers. While there is no general consensus about how this process should take place, there are key ways you can support your teen throughout.
Experts agree that this transition should be started early enough for a gradual process. At least a year of planning is necessary to ensure a smooth transition and thorough preparation.[2][3]
If you or your teen feel they’re ready, you can bring up the transition together with their current provider. The psychiatrist will likely evaluate their readiness and expectations before working with your family on a treatment plan.[3][4]
This plan should cover your teen’s needs, goals, and options, as well as skills to work on before moving. Their psychiatrist can:
Finding an adult psychiatrist may require the help of your child’s current mental health service, but parents can actively assist in researching options. Before making the transition, it’s a good idea to schedule consultations with multiple psychiatrists so your young adult can make an informed choice.
Your teen should feel comfortable with a prospective psychiatrist, but it’s also good if the clinician can challenge them. When helping search, look for someone who is:
A challenging but necessary step in this process is managing the paperwork involved. Parents can play a key role in helping young adults understand how health insurance works and how it impacts their care.
Paperwork mistakes can delay the transition to a new service, putting extra pressure on your teen. You can also assist in requesting medical record transfers and guiding them through consent forms for sharing health information.
The transition from adolescent psychiatry to adult treatment typically means parents no longer have legal rights to their child’s care. Adult mental health services focus primarily on the individual. While fostering autonomy is essential for young adults, they don’t have to navigate this shift entirely on their own.
Parents should respect privacy boundaries while remaining available to offer guidance. You can:
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
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If you’re struggling with mental health issues and greater independence, support is available. At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer tailored treatment programs to foster sustainable change for adolescents and their families.
Whether you could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations or something more flexible, like an outpatient mental health program delivered virtually, our team can help. We work with you to create a custom treatment plan that incorporates evidence-based therapeutic approaches and innovative interventions for long-term healing.
If you’re in need of referrals for adult mental health treatment providers, we can also support you in finding the right care for your needs.
Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
Learn more about our admissions process online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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