Specialist in paediatric psychiatry, training in positive psychotherapy. I believe in maximizing the potential of every child, regardless of environment, gender, age or physical or psychiatric difficulty.
About Dr. Ilinca Niță
I am a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, with residency in Cluj-Napoca. I chose this field because of the complexity of the developing human brain and the special, spontaneous ways in which children express themselves. I believe in maximizing the potential of every child, regardless of environment, gender, age or physical or psychiatric difficulty. In addition, I strongly believe that specialized personnel are, in this situation, a facilitator of healing, but the family has the primary role in recovery. That is why I try to disseminate information about psychiatry and mental health in order to "arm" the family.
In addition to working as a psychiatrist, I am in a training course in positive psychotherapy (supervised psychotherapist status), which allows me to work with both children and adults. In addition, out of an interest in the devastating effects of trauma on mental health, I have undergone training in EMDR, a therapeutic modality that specifically targets trauma.
The paediatric psychiatry activity is carried out in Cluj-Napoca. In the psychiatry office, the child's strengths and weaknesses are assessed, the diagnosis is made (when appropriate), a recovery plan with several therapeutic modalities is recommended, parents are advised, treatment and results are monitored. I provide medical services both under contract with CAS (free of charge, with referral ticket and appointment) and privately. In contract with CAS, I issue school guidance and disability classification certificates.
Information taken on 29 March 2023 from https://www.psihipedi.ro/ilinca-nita-psihiatrie-pediatrica-cluj
Pediatric Psychiatry Dr. Ilinca Niță
Your child is showing worrying signs of development, emotional reactions or behaviour. Or perhaps your family doctor, another specialist or school psychologist has recommended that you and your child attend a paediatric psychiatric consultation. But what can you expect from a consultation in this specialty?
Health problems in young children are always a source of great concern for parents, and the fact that psychiatry has stigmas and social fears associated with it doesn't help. The psychiatrist's approach is indeed different from other types of doctors. In this article I will detail what happens at a first paediatric psychiatry consultation, so you know what to expect, what information to have available, what questions to ask.
Required documents
For any medical assessment, it is good to have documentation that shows medical history of the child. Even if he hasn't had any problems of this type and if you've never been to a child psychiatrist before, any consultation, admission, surgery may be relevant. The medical history informs the psychiatrist of both potential causes and optimal treatment. For example, chronic treatment for bronchial asthma contraindicates some psychiatric medications. The most recent laboratory tests, including routine ones, can also help with diagnosis. Even coming out of maternity can be helpful.
If you are already seeing a psychologist or psychotherapist, it is very helpful to ask for a written report, which should include the tests and assessments that have been done and the progress of psychotherapy, if it is ongoing.
Documents identification details of the child and parents copies of the child's birth certificate and the identity card of at least one parent are also required.
Consultations under contract with insurance company Health care is free with a referral. This must be issued at least one day before the consultation by the family doctor or another specialist. It is valid for 90 days. A referral slip is not required for consultations against payment.
How the assessment is carried out
Psychiatric assessment involves several components:
- Medical assessment of the child
- Psychiatric assessment of the child
- Family and living environment assessment
The child's medical assessment is a quick check-up focused on any physical problems the child may have. Minimally, weight, height and vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, as appropriate) will be noted. Similarly, a minimal screening of the nervous system (gait, reflexes) is done when there is any suspicion. These are detailed when there is suspicion of problems.
Psychiatric assessment is carried out from two perspectives: of the child itself (psychological examination) and of the child through the parent (anamnesis). The psychological examination includes a series of tasks and questions asked of the child, depending on age. It takes the form of a game, sometimes a competition. Over 6-7 years, the focus is on communication, and earlier on play and drawing. The aim is to assess all mental functions (mental development, thinking, orientation, emotions, activity), with a focus on areas that may be problematic.
Anamnesis by parent will include questions about signs that have worried parents. Possible questions include:
- When did this problem arise?
- How often does it occur?
- What was the child like before this?
- Are there measures that have improved the problem? But which have exacerbated it?
If you are concerned a rarer behaviour, which may not be visible during the assessment, it is useful to bring a video recording with it.
In addition, questions are asked about the child's usual behaviour, as young children may be shy, inhibited or frightened at the first meeting with the doctor and refuse to participate in the games proposed for assessment.
Evaluation family and living environment is relevant to uncover factors that may contribute to the problem as well as those that can help solve it. Although it is the doctor who recommends the treatment, it is the family who implements it and they are with the child all the time. The focus is on strategies that help the child recover. Lifestyle changes, parenting methods can be extremely powerful and valuable for healing.
I know some questions may seem personal, but they are all relevant to understanding the child in their environment and discovering what contributes to the problem and how we might solve it. It is important to remember that the paediatric psychiatrist is not there to judge or blame you. If you are not sure why you are being asked certain questions or feel uncomfortable, it's okay to ask for an explanation. It's crucial to the evaluation that you don't withhold important information that you might find "embarrassing".
How long does an assessment take
Depending on the complexity of the problem, an assessment takes between 30 and 60 minutes. Most child psychiatrists prefer the first assessment to take about an hour. Because this is a complex area, several evaluations may be needed before a final diagnosis and individualized treatment plan can be determined.
What follows after the evaluation
After assessing the signs, symptoms, family and environment, and documents provided by the family, the doctor formulates a diagnosis and recommendations useful in the situation. Some problems may require further investigation (laboratory, imaging, psychological or other assessment), in which case the diagnosis is provisional. The definitive treatment and recovery plan is made after the doctor has all the necessary data. In this case, a second consultation will be arranged to assess further data and make recommendations.
When the doctor has all the necessary information, he will formulate recommendations. These may include:
- Drug treatment
- Psychotherapy
- Related services: speech therapy, physiotherapy
- Family interventions
- Interventions at school
- Lifestyle changes
For each of these, the rationale behind them, the duration of treatment, how effectiveness will be monitored and possible side effects are explained.
Questions for the doctor
I know that when you get to the doctor, the worry about your baby, the fear of a serious diagnosis, can override any questions you had when you left home. That's why it's useful to write them down before you get to the surgery. Useful questions may include:
- What does this diagnosis mean? Are there any known causes for it?
- What other investigations are useful?
- How long does the treatment last?
- What improvements can we expect from treatment and how long does it take for them to occur?
- What side effects can this treatment give? What do we do if they occur?
- What do we do if the treatment doesn't work?
- How should the treatment be monitored?
- How can we help the child during this period?
Sometimes it can be useful to have a counselling session with parents only to elucidate all the answers and have the necessary time dedicated to understanding the problem.
Information retrieved on 29/03/2023 from: https://www.psihipedi.ro/servicii/ce-este-consultatie-psihiatrie-pediatrica
Online counselling Dr. Ilinca Niță
What is online counselling?
The online paediatric psychiatry counselling service offered in conjunction with the Paediatric Centre is an informed medical advice service, where I provide answers to questions and concerns you may have about your child or adolescent's growth and development.
At the same time, we can discuss new or old emotional or behavioural symptoms, appropriate parenting methods, sleep or eating problems, difficulties in case of divorce, death in the family, etc.
Online paediatric psychiatry counselling can also clarify issues for you in terms of the route to take:
- Is a specialist consultation necessary?
- Should you seek other specialties?
- Can further investigations be made?
- What ways of intervention would be effective?
- How do you draw up an ESC or disability classification file and how do you proceed?
- What does diagnosis already established by a doctor mean?
- Is there healing?
- Are certain mental health problems passed on from parent to child?
- And much more.
What is online counselling not?
Online counselling does not replace a medical consultation. When a psychiatric condition requiring diagnosis and treatment is suspected, you will be referred for a physical consultation, especially if it is an emergency or if lack of access to treatment would make the problem worse.
It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of online medical advice is educational and informational. There are situations where paediatric psychiatric counselling may not be appropriate or sufficient and it is a better idea to request a physical consultation.
How long does a session last?
Typical duration is 30 minutes-one hour, depending on the nature of the problem.
What is the price of a session?
The price is 180 RON for the initial session and 150 RON for subsequent sessions.
How soon can I pay for counselling?
Online counselling is paid at least 2 hours before the appointment time.
Do I need to install an app?
Counselling is carried out via the Zoom app, which you can download in the following ways:
Appointments Dr. Ilinca Niță
In contract with CAS (Deak Medical Centre):
26 Titulescu Street, Cluj-Napoca
Tel: 0264414342
At consultations in collaboration with CLUJ HEALTH INSURANCE HOUSE (made in this office), the following documents are required:
- REFERENCE TICKET from the specialist/family doctor
- xerox copy of the teenager's child's birth certificate/identity card,
- a photocopy of the parent's identity card.
Private and online consultations (Dorobantilor Paediatric Centre):
Paediatric Centre, Calea Dorobantilor 101, Cluj-Napoca
Tel: 0756360360