- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- OCD
Ages 6 to 17
Child and teen mental health care in Long Beach
When worry, mood or focus problems last for weeks and get in the way of school, home or friendships, an evaluation can help make sense of what is going on.
Your child's provider
Who your child will see
Looking for pediatric mental health care? Patients ages 6 to 17 here see Irine Achuamang, MSN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in California.
For children and teens, Irine provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management.
“You or your child may be dealing with anxiety, mood swings, focus problems, or overwhelming emotions that are starting to affect daily life.”
What to watch for
When to consider an evaluation
Every child is sad, anxious or irritable at times, and many find it hard to sit still or pay attention now and then. Most of the time, these are typical stages of growing up. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests seeking help when a child's behavior or emotions last for weeks or longer, cause distress for the child or the family, or get in the way of school, home life or friendships.
For younger children, the signs NIMH lists include a child who:
- Has frequent tantrums or is irritable much of the time
- Often seems fearful or worried
- Complains about frequent stomachaches or headaches with no known medical cause
- Is in constant motion and cannot sit quietly, except when doing something they enjoy
- Sleeps too much or too little, has frequent nightmares, or seems sleepy during the day
- Is not interested in playing with other children or has difficulty making friends
- Struggles at school or has had a recent drop in grades
- Repeats actions or checks things many times out of fear that something bad may happen
Many mental disorders can begin in childhood, NIMH notes, including anxiety disorders, ADHD, and depression and other mood disorders. NIMH suggests starting with the people who see your child often, such as a teacher, and with your child's pediatrician or health care provider, and telling them what you have noticed.
Conditions Irine treats:
- Anxiety & Related Disorders
- Depression & Related Disorders
- ADHD
- Bipolar & Related Disorders
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Trauma-Related Disorders
- Insomnia
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Psychotic Disorders
- Schizophrenia
Care for teens and adolescents
Irine sees teens up to age 17, for the same psychiatric evaluation and medication management as younger children.
For older children, including teens, the signs NIMH lists include a young person who:
- Has lost interest in things they used to enjoy
- Has low energy
- Sleeps too much or too little, or seems sleepy throughout the day
- Has periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and needs much less sleep than usual
- Spends more and more time alone and avoids social activities with friends or family
- Engages in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
Some signs cannot wait for an appointment.
If your child or teen talks about suicide or about wanting to hurt themselves or someone else, is hurting themselves (for example, cutting or burning their skin), or if their behavior is unsafe, call or text 988 now. It is free and open 24/7. In an emergency, call 911.
Before the first visit
How visits work for patients under 18
Call us and we will explain how visits work for patients under 18. We are open Mon–Fri · 8 AM–6 PM (Pacific). Outside those hours, you can request a callback.
Our Long Beach office is at 3646 Long Beach Blvd # 205, Long Beach, CA 90807.
- Office
- 3646 Long Beach Blvd # 205, Long Beach, CA 90807
- Hours
- Mon–Fri · 8 AM–6 PM (Pacific)
- Phone
- (818) 286-3862
Cost and insurance
We do not currently take Medi-Cal managed care. If that is your child's coverage, we are a self-pay option rather than a covered visit.
We are in network with many major plans, and every plan we accept is listed on our insurance and self-pay rates page. Coverage differs from one plan to the next, so please check your child's plan with us before the first visit.
Our self-pay rates are $250 for an initial psychiatric evaluation (about an hour) and $150 for a follow-up visit (about 30 minutes). Sliding-scale options are available. Just ask.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Does Breakthrough Mental Health see children and teens?
Yes. Irine Achuamang, MSN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, sees patients ages 6 to 17 for psychiatric evaluation and medication management. If your child is younger than 6, or their needs fall outside what we treat, we will tell you honestly and help point you toward the right care.
Who will my child see at Breakthrough?
Patients ages 6 to 17 see Irine Achuamang, MSN, PMHNP-BC, a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in California. Her profile on this site lists her training and the conditions she treats.
How do visits work for patients under 18?
Call us at (818) 286-3862 and we will explain how visits work for patients under 18. We are open Mon–Fri · 8 AM–6 PM (Pacific), and you can request a callback online at any time.
Can we use Medi-Cal for our child's visits?
We do not currently take Medi-Cal managed care. If that is your child's coverage, we are a self-pay option rather than a covered visit. Our self-pay rates are $250 for an initial psychiatric evaluation (about an hour) and $150 for a follow-up visit (about 30 minutes). Sliding-scale options are available. Just ask.
What should we do if our child or teen is in crisis?
Do not wait for an appointment. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (free, 24/7). In an emergency, call 911.
Talk with us before you book
Call us and we will explain how visits work for patients under 18. Or request a callback, and we will call you.