Q: Will my child have to be on a lot of drugs? Our first and overriding goal is to provide the best possible treatment for your child. Our recommendations will always be based on his best interests. In emotional conditions that are biological in nature, medication can sometimes help your child think more clearly and live more productively.

Q: Are we to blame for passing a psychological illness to our children? Parents often wonder if they’re to blame, but in most cases emotional disturbances result from a complex menu of influences from environmental to social, from medical to hereditary. The main thing to keep in mind is that proper diagnosis, care, and treatment can make a significant difference, regardless of where the condition originated.

Q: My 8-year-old has a few “problems,” but I’ve been told he’ll grow out of it. Before we jump the gun, shouldn’t we just wait to see how things progress? A: If you are concerned at all, your pediatrician can usually separate “normal” problems from more serious conditions by talking with you and your child. Generally, when a parent and child come to us for help, we find they rarely feel that it was too soon or a waste of time.

Q: I’m a little worried about sending my child to a psychiatrist. Your discomfort is understandable. For many decades, our society disapproved of even adults getting psychiatric treatment. It is sometimes even more difficult in the case of a child. But psychological difficulties are no different from medical illnesses: neglected, they can escalate; addressed and treated early, and your child has the chance to live a freer, happier life. We’re here to help you and your child.

Q: How will we be able to afford all this? A: At Rainbow, no child who needs help is turned away. Medicare pays the major share of the costs incurred by patients. Your insurance carrier may cover some or all of the remainder. If you have questions about finances, call the finance office.