Houston, Texas

 

In Houston, it takes three months on average for a parent to get their child/adolescent in to see a child psychiatrist. Depelchin Children's Center which has been one of the few agencies to see children is now closing its services and is now focusing only on foster children. Although not suicidal or homicidal, children in crisis are not able to see a psychiatrist in a timely manner.

I was told recently by a nurse at a primary care physician's office in Louisiana that in order for physicians to prescribe ADHD medications, the child has to first see a psychologist. Pain doctors are also requiring patients to see psychologists in Louisiana. Psychologists have prescription privileges in Louisiana, but the requirement isn't for the psychologist to prescribe the medication. If psychologists have the expertise they should be able to prescribe.