Careful evaluation
The assessment considers OCD symptoms, related anxiety, treatment history, development, physical health, family experience, strengths, and day-to-day functioning.
Pediatric OCD care in Massachusetts
Pediatric OCD psychiatry in Massachusetts.
Specialized psychiatric evaluation and medication management for children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder, with care coordinated around the young person and family.
Board-certifiedDevelopmentally informedFamily-centered
Careful listening.
Clear thinking.
Collaborative next steps.
Understanding the concern
OCD can affect far more than visible rituals.
In children and adolescents, OCD may involve intrusive thoughts, repeated checking or washing, reassurance seeking, avoidance, mental rituals, rigidity, or a growing need for family members to participate in routines. Some symptoms are easy to miss because a young person feels embarrassed, fears being misunderstood, or does not recognize the pattern as OCD.
A psychiatric evaluation looks at the form and impact of symptoms as well as development, mood, anxiety, sleep, physical health, school functioning, family context, and prior treatment. This broader view is especially useful when symptoms are persistent, complex, or overlap with other emotional or developmental concerns.
Who may benefit
When a psychiatric consultation may be useful.
A consultation can help clarify the clinical picture and whether psychiatric treatment should be part of a broader care plan.
- Intrusive thoughts, compulsions, reassurance seeking, or avoidance are disrupting school, home life, sleep, relationships, or development.
- OCD symptoms remain significant despite psychotherapy or have made it difficult to participate consistently in treatment.
- Anxiety, depression, irritability, attention concerns, or developmental differences complicate the presentation.
- The family would like a careful discussion of medication, including possible benefits, risks, alternatives, and monitoring.
- Therapists, pediatricians, or other treating clinicians would benefit from coordinated psychiatric input.
Approach to care
Treatment that supports the full care plan.
Medication is not automatic and does not replace psychotherapy. Recommendations are individualized after a careful assessment.
Medication when appropriate
When medication may be helpful, options are discussed through shared decision-making, with attention to tolerability, monitoring, and the young person’s broader treatment goals.
Partnership with ERP
When exposure and response prevention is part of treatment, psychiatric care can be coordinated with the therapist so medication management and psychotherapy support the same goals.
Family-centered support
Parents and caregivers can help describe symptoms, identify patterns of accommodation, support treatment practice, and notice meaningful changes over time.
Connected care
Collaboration helps care stay consistent.
With appropriate authorization, Dr. Rajalakshmi may coordinate with therapists, pediatricians, schools, and other specialists when clinically helpful. This is particularly important when several clinicians are involved or symptoms affect multiple parts of a young person’s life.
The aim is a clear, practical plan that respects the child or adolescent’s developmental needs and keeps the family informed without making promises about a particular outcome.
Begin a conversation
Request a consultation.
If you would like to explore whether this approach may be a fit, submit a request securely through the SimplePractice portal.
Please do not include emergency information in a consultation request.
EmailDrRaj@drrajmd.com
Phone617-334-5660
Service areaCurrently serving patients located in Massachusetts.