Child Psychiatrist | Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee

Comprehensive Psychiatric Services You Can Trust

We have locations in Tallahassee, Orlando, and Sarasota. Our Tallahassee Centennial Place office is our unique Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resident Clinic, operated in partnership with UCF and HCA Florida. This clinic allows your child to receive care from providers trained in the latest evidence-based academic research, all under the direct supervision and mentorship of our veteran, board-certified child psychiatrists.

Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluations

Our specialized psychiatrists and APRNs conduct comprehensive, unhurried assessments that review your child’s complete medical, developmental, academic, and family history. By speaking directly with both you and your child, we go beyond surface-level behaviors to better understand what’s contributing to their struggles, which helps us to build a customized treatment plan.

Medication Management

Our approach to medication provides safe, targeted relief for symptoms that require more than therapy alone. We explain exactly why a specific medication is chosen and conduct regular check-ins to track progress, adjust dosages, and minimize side effects.

Consultation Services

We work collaboratively with your child’s primary care doctor, medical specialists, or therapists to create a complete treatment plan. This integrated approach makes sure that all aspects of your child’s care are coordinated and effective.

Second Opinion

Our experienced clinical team offers second opinions through an independent review of your child’s previous diagnoses, past treatment plans, and current medications. This fresh perspective provides clarity when a child is not improving. An expert second look can uncover missed nuances, prevent unnecessary medicating, and provide alternative solutions.

When to Seek Help from a Professional

If you notice some or all of the following symptoms, it’s time to schedule a professional psychiatric evaluation:

Frequent, intense tantrums: Meltdowns that are unusually long, physically aggressive, or triggered by minor events can point to underlying mood dysregulation, severe anxiety, or undiagnosed ADHD.
Extreme worry: Asking frequent questions about safety, refusing to participate in normal activities, physical symptoms like unexplained stomachaches, or panic attacks can indicate that anxiety is affecting your child’s daily life. A psychiatric evaluation can help identify what may be contributing to these symptoms and guide the next steps for support.
Drop in grades: Seeing a sudden or sustained decline in grades and concentration can point to emerging learning disabilities, ADHD, depression, or social anxiety.
Sleep disturbances: Finding it difficult to fall asleep, having frequent nightmares, and other sleep difficulties can sometimes be connected to stress, anxiety, depression, or other concerns.
Social isolation: Pulling away from close friendships, quitting extracurricular activities, and refusing playdates suddenly can be a sign that your child is struggling emotionally. Compassionate support can help uncover what’s behind these changes and guide your family toward the right next steps.

Insurance-Backed Care You Can Count On

At WellStead Mental Health, our mission is to ensure psychiatric care is both accessible and affordable. By partnering with a diverse range of insurance providers, we strive to offer smooth, hassle-free coverage for every patient.

Our Offices

Tallahassee:
Centennial Place

WellStead Mental Health
2606 Centennial Place
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Phone: (850) 205-0189
Fax: (850) 329-2903

Tallahassee:
M D Lane

WellStead Mental Health
1407 M D Lane, Suites A-B
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Suite A:
Phone: (850) 877-0635
Fax: (850) 877-8215

Suite B:
Phone: (850) 641-7961
Fax: (850) 312-3983

Hablamos Español

Orlando

WellStead Mental Health
5850 TG Lee Blvd,. Suite 490
Orlando, FL 32822

Phone: (407) 214-2499
Fax: (407) 602-3074

Hablamos Español

Sarasota

WellStead Mental Health
2621 Cattlemen Road, Suite 204,
Sarasota, FL 34232

Phone: (941) 326-3223
Fax: (941) 348-1304

All locations offer free on-site parking and are conveniently located near several major bus lines for patients utilizing public transportation

Additional Considerations

Please allow one hour for all follow-up visits after the initial evaluation
If a resident is unavailable, Dr. Strickland will cover the CAPRC appointment
As part of the resident’s training, Dr. Strickland will have access to live closed-circuit video monitoring of all sessions, though these are never recorded or archived
A consent form for video monitoring will be provided at your first visit

FAQs About Adolescent and Child Psychiatrist Services

What should we expect at the first evaluation visit?

Initial evaluation visits typically last about two hours. We recommend that both parents of the primary residence attend the first appointment, if possible. Please bring any past evaluations or available records to help us understand your child’s history and needs more completely.

How are medication decisions made for children and adolescents?

Medication decisions for young people are made carefully, considering the balance of potential benefits against possible side effects. We prefer a conservative approach, especially with younger patients, and often use medication as just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan.

What if my child’s other parent and I share custody? Can I still bring my child in for treatment?

For families with joint/split custody or shared medical decision-making, all parties with legal custody must consent to the evaluation and treatment. A parent claiming full custody may be asked to provide documentation.

This policy is in place to help us respect legal custody arrangements and ensure all legal guardians are informed and involved in a child’s mental healthcare.

Book an Appointment Today

Partner with experienced clinicians to get your child the professional help and support they need to be healthy and happy. Contact us online to schedule an appointment and find a reliable child psychiatrist near you.