Mental Health Services for Children in Virginia
Compassionate, Integrative Care for Your Child’s Unique Needs
We provide mental health services for children in Virginia because every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported, especially when life gets overwhelming or their needs are misunderstood. At Onward Growth Psychiatry, we provide mental health care for children ages 5 and up, with a focus on neurodivergent children, emotional regulation, and life transitions like military family changes.
We offer integrative care that combines psychotherapy and medication management, tailored to your child’s developmental stage, personality, and goals—not just their diagnosis.
Self-pay | Out-of-network | Individualized care with no insurance restrictions
Conditions We Treat
We specialize in supporting children through a variety of mental health challenges and neurodevelopmental conditions:
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
If your child is struggling with low self-esteem, focusing in class or on homework, or has impulse control trouble, it’s likely more than “bad behavior.” Children with ADHD often feel frustrated, misunderstood, or constantly in trouble. We help children (and parents) build skills in:
- Attention and task initiation
- Emotional regulation
- Executive functioning
- Impulse control
- Self-esteem and confidence
Our approach may include child-friendly therapy, parent coaching, and, when appropriate, medication management to support your child’s brain function and development.
Autism Spectrum Support
Autistic children often experience the world differently, and that difference should be respected and supported, not “fixed.” We provide neurodiversity-affirming care that honors your child’s communication style, sensory needs, and way of thinking.
We help autistic children with:
- Social interaction and connection
- Sensory overwhelm and meltdowns
- Transitions and routines
- Emotional expression
- Managing school-related stress
Whether your child is formally diagnosed or you’re exploring the possibility of autism, we create a safe space for growth without pressure to conform to neurotypical norms.
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Children with OCD may struggle with disturbing thoughts or repetitive behaviors they feel they “have to” do—even if they don’t want to. We help children reduce anxiety and stop compulsions from controlling their lives.
Common OCD presentations in children include:
- Excessive handwashing or cleaning
- Reassurance-seeking
- Intrusive thoughts (harm, germs, religious fears)
- Checking or counting rituals
- Avoidance of feared situations
With the right support, children can learn to manage OCD with confidence and courage.
Eating Disorders in Children
Eating struggles can start young, and early intervention is key. Whether it’s avoidant behaviors, food-related anxiety, or body image concerns, we support children and families with:
- ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
- Body dissatisfaction or disordered eating
- Food rigidity or selective eating
- Nutrition-related anxiety
Our integrative approach includes therapy, parent involvement, and collaboration with medical providers when needed. We aim to help children rebuild a safe, healthy relationship with food and their bodies.
Adjustment Issues in Military Families
Military life brings constant change—new schools, new homes, and sometimes long separations from loved ones. These transitions can be especially hard on young children, leading to:
- Anxiety and clinginess
- Behavioral changes
- Academic struggles
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Trouble adjusting after a PCS or deployment
We offer a safe, consistent space for military-connected children to process their emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience.
Why Choose Our Integrative Care Model?
Your child doesn’t have to bounce between providers for therapy and meds. We offer whole-child, integrated mental health care that combines:
- Targeted psychotherapy for children and parents
- Thoughtful, developmentally appropriate medication management
- Integration between therapy and psychiatry for better outcomes
- Emphasis on emotional intelligence, sensory needs, and brain-body connection
This model is especially helpful for children with complex or overlapping needs, like ADHD and anxiety, or autism and OCD. You are under no pressure to work exclusively with our providers; many clients see us for medication management and also work with a therapist. We tailor our approach to meet your needs.
Self-Pay = Personalized, Unrestricted Care
We are a private-pay / out-of-network practice. That means:
- No diagnosis required to get started
- No session limits or insurance restrictions
- More time per visit and deeper therapeutic work
- You have full control over your child’s mental health journey
We provide superbills upon request so you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement if your insurance allows.