Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist Serving Washington State
Thoughtful psychiatric care for children, teens, and their families, from a board-certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.
Longer visits. Careful evaluation. Direct physician care.
Dr. Shirin Vartak, DOBoard-certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Care from a board-certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Dr. Shirin Vartak, DO, is board-certified in both Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists are physicians who complete additional specialty training focused on the development, mental health, and psychiatric treatment of children and teenagers, and on working closely with their families.
Navia Psychiatry provides virtual psychiatric care for children and teens ages 6–17 throughout Washington State. Dr. Vartak sees every patient herself, with visits long enough to understand your child, not just a checklist of symptoms.
What we help with
Families come to Navia for concerns including:
- ADHD and attention concerns
- Anxiety, worry, and panic
- Depression and mood changes
- Irritability and difficulty managing emotions
- School avoidance and school-related stress
- Sleep problems affecting mood or focus
- Medication evaluation and management
- Diagnostic clarification and second opinions
- Emotional challenges during the transition through adolescence
Navia provides outpatient care. If your child needs a higher level of care, or a specialized program for concerns such as eating disorders or substance use, we will help you find the right resources.
Does my child need a psychiatrist?
A psychiatric evaluation may be worth considering when:
- Changes in mood, anxiety, attention, or behavior have lasted several weeks
- Symptoms are affecting school, friendships, sleep, or family life
- Therapy has helped, but not enough
- You have questions about whether medication is appropriate
- Several concerns overlap and the diagnosis feels unclear
- Your pediatrician or therapist has recommended a psychiatric evaluation
You do not need to be certain something is wrong to seek an evaluation. Many parents simply want a clear, expert picture of what is going on and what the options are.
We work with the whole family
Children and teenagers don't experience mental health concerns in isolation. Parents often have important observations about changes at home, at school, and in sleep, friendships, and behavior.
Dr. Vartak incorporates parent input while also creating age-appropriate space for children and adolescents to speak openly. How visits are structured depends on your child's age, developmental stage, and concerns.
For teens, privacy matters. At the start of care, Dr. Vartak explains what stays between her and your teen, and what will always be shared with parents, including any concern about safety.
ADHD, school, and attention concerns
Attention problems, declining grades, school avoidance, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and emotional changes can overlap. Anxiety can look like inattention. Poor sleep can look like ADHD. Sometimes more than one thing is going on.
A psychiatric evaluation looks beyond a single symptom to understand what may be contributing, drawing on input from parents, your child, and, when helpful, teachers or prior evaluations.
If medication is recommended, Dr. Vartak will walk you through the options, potential benefits and side effects, and how progress will be monitored.
When appropriate and with your permission, Dr. Vartak can coordinate with your child's therapist, pediatrician, or school team.
Child and adolescent psychiatric care across Washington
Navia provides secure virtual appointments to children and teens throughout Washington State, including Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Olympia, Spokane, Vancouver, and surrounding communities.
Your child must be physically located in Washington at the time of each appointment.
A parent or guardian participates in the initial evaluation. For younger children, a parent joins each visit. Teens may spend part of each visit with Dr. Vartak on their own.
Video visits mean less missed school, no waiting room, and the chance for your child to talk from somewhere familiar.
How care works
- 01
Start with a free fit consultation
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss your child's needs and whether Navia may be a good fit. This is a brief conversation about fit, not a clinical evaluation or treatment.
- 02
Complete a comprehensive evaluation
Most child and adolescent evaluations use the 90-minute extended evaluation, which allows time with both parents and your child. Dr. Vartak may ask for school reports, prior evaluations, or rating scales ahead of time.
- 03
Develop a clear plan
Dr. Vartak will explain her assessment and recommendations in plain language. The plan may include therapy recommendations, medication, coordination with your child's other clinicians, or suggested medical evaluation.
- 04
Continue care as your child grows
Follow-up visits are scheduled based on your child's symptoms, treatment plan, and progress.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child psychiatrist diagnose ADHD?
Yes. A child and adolescent psychiatrist can evaluate and diagnose ADHD. A thorough evaluation includes history from parents and your child, information from school when available, and careful consideration of other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or sleep problems, that can look similar.
What is the difference between a child psychiatrist and a therapist?
A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions, consider medical contributors, and prescribe and manage medication when appropriate. Therapists provide psychotherapy.
Many children do best with both, and Dr. Vartak often works alongside a child's therapist.
Does my child need medication for anxiety or ADHD?
Not necessarily. Recommendations depend on your child's age, symptoms, how much they are affecting daily life, and your family's preferences.
For anxiety, therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy is often an important part of treatment, sometimes alongside medication. For ADHD, medication is one of the most studied treatments, and it is one option among several. Dr. Vartak will discuss the tradeoffs openly.
When should a teenager see a psychiatrist?
Consider an evaluation when changes in mood, anxiety, sleep, or behavior last more than a few weeks and affect school, friendships, or family life, or when therapy alone is not enough.
If your teen is talking about suicide or self-harm, seek help right away by calling or texting 988 or going to the nearest emergency department.
Can child psychiatry be done by telehealth?
Yes. Telepsychiatry is an established way for children and teens to receive care from a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and many young people are comfortable talking by video from home.
If Dr. Vartak believes your child needs in-person care or a different level of support, she will tell you and help you find it.
Do you take insurance?
Navia is a private-pay practice.
We provide a superbill after each visit that you may submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement depends on your individual plan.
Dr. Shirin Vartak, DO
Dr. Vartak is board-certified in Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Her specialty training in child and adolescent psychiatry shapes how she works with families: careful evaluation, clear explanations for parents, and respect for the young person at the center of care.
Every Navia patient is seen directly by Dr. Vartak.
Meet Dr. VartakFees and logistics
| Service | Duration | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Free fit consultation | 15 minutes | Complimentary |
| Initial psychiatric evaluation | 60 minutes | $700 |
| Extended initial evaluationReproductive, hormonal, or child and adolescent concerns | 90 minutes | $900 |
| Medication management follow-up | 25–30 minutes | $350 |
| Extended follow-up | 45–60 minutes | $575 |
Logistics
- InsurancePrivate pay; superbills provided
- AppointmentsSecure virtual visits
- LocationPatients must be located in Washington State during appointments
- PaymentDue at the time of service
- HSA/FSAAccepted
If you need help right now
Navia Psychiatry is not an emergency or crisis service.
If your child is in danger, is thinking about suicide or self-harm, or needs immediate help, call or text 988, call 911, or go to your nearest emergency department.
Teens in Washington can also call or text Teen Link at 866-833-6546 to talk with a trained teen volunteer. Teen Link is not an emergency service.
Start with a conversation
If you're a parent in Washington looking for a child psychiatrist who takes the time to understand your child and your family, begin with a complimentary fit consultation.
Thoughtful psychiatry for women and families.
Or call 425-598-0917