Pediatric mental and behavioral health care focuses on supporting children and teens facing challenges like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and learning difficulties. Here at Sammy Kim, MD, we understand that these concerns can arise at any point during childhood and adolescence.

Our caring team combines medication management, therapy, and parental guidance to provide personalized care that helps your child thrive. If you notice any troubling signs or behaviors, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Our trusted physician, Dr. Sammy, collaborates closely with a child psychologist and behavioral therapist to ensure an accurate diagnosis and compassionate support tailored to your child’s unique needs.

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Common Pediatric Mental & Behavioral Health Conditions We Address

At Sammy Kim, MD, we provide care for a variety of mental and behavioral health concerns in children, including:

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) involves high energy levels, difficulty concentrating, and challenges with impulse control.

Anxiety

Anxiety often causes persistent feelings of worry or fear without clear reason. It can lead to physical distress even when no danger is present.

Severe anxiety may result in panic attacks that can come on suddenly, causing symptoms like chills, nausea, or numbness.

Depression

Depression goes beyond sadness, involving a range of emotions and symptoms. You might notice:

Irregular sleep patterns
Appetite changes
Loss of interest in hobbies
Strained relationships with family or friends
Acting out behaviors
Irritability or anger episodes
Anxiety and fatigue
Decline in school performance
Low self-esteem
Mood swings
Physical symptoms like headaches or stomach issues

Behavioral Issues

Warning signs of behavioral challenges can include acts such as theft, vandalism, truancy, or defiance toward authority at home or school.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders involve unhealthy eating habits, distorted thoughts about food, and significant impact on daily life.

Common types include:

Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge Eating Disorder
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Learning & Processing Disorders

Learning disorders affect how the brain processes information, leading to gaps between expected and actual skills in areas such as reading, writing, math, speech, or social interaction.

What to Expect from Our Pediatric Mental & Behavioral Health Services

When you visit our clinic, our caring team will guide you through the following steps:

Medical History & Lifestyle Review

We’ll review your child’s vaccination records, medication history, lifestyle habits, and overall health. A physical exam including checks of eyes, ears, breathing, reflexes, and heart will be part of this process.

Diagnosis Process

To diagnose conditions accurately, we will:

Assess your child’s health closely
Review family health history
Gather input from teachers or caregivers
Conduct specialized tests as needed

Treatment Plan

After diagnosis, we’ll discuss treatment options tailored to your child. This might include medication, talk therapy, and ongoing parental support.

Our Approach to Pediatric Mental & Behavioral Health

At Sammy Kim, MD, we believe in a hands-on, integrated approach combining medication, therapy, and parenting education to promote lasting recovery.

Medication Management

Medication helps manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, and learning disorders, providing relief from symptoms like tension, rapid heartbeat, nausea, fatigue, and insomnia.

Common medications include:

Antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications
Beta-blockers

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a highly effective therapy that helps children understand their feelings and triggers.

CBT supports skills like reducing impulsive behaviors, managing emotions, improving organization, and time management.

Techniques include:

Cognitive restructuring to change negative thought patterns
Exposure therapy to face fears safely, often used for phobias and PTSD
Goal-setting and problem-solving to create clear objectives and plans

Parenting Support and Education

We believe informed parents play a vital role in their child’s well-being. Our Pediatricians provide guidance to help you confidently manage your child’s mental health journey.

You can support your child by:

Learning about their condition
Offering positive encouragement
Spending quality time doing meaningful activities
Using thoughtful and warm discipline

Additional Mental Health Support

We’re committed to supporting families through challenges with services like same-day crisis visits, concierge pediatric care, and home visits for added comfort.

Same-Day Sick Visits for Crisis Intervention

Mental health emergencies can disrupt daily life unexpectedly. Our same-day appointments ensure prompt assessments either at our Sammy Kim, MD clinic or your home.

Around-the-Clock Concierge Pediatrics

Our concierge service offers 24/7 personalized pediatric care, both virtually and in-home, for families needing extra support.

Home Visits that Foster Comfort

Receive compassionate care without leaving home. Our providers offer crisis intervention, medication refills, therapy, and more—all tailored to your child’s needs.

We work closely with you to create a personalized plan focused on your child’s well-being.