Welcome to the online home of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Virginia Commonwealth University! We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to our visitors, whether you're a colleague in the field, a trainee, a patient, or a concerned family member seeking information and support.

At the heart of our division lies a profound commitment to the well-being of our patients and their families. We are driven by a tripartite mission: to provide exceptional patient care, to advance education in the field of child psychiatry, and to conduct groundbreaking research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge and current understanding of mental health problems in children.

Our top priority is to provide the highest quality of care to children and adolescents drawing upon the most current evidence-based interventions to ensure optimal outcomes. We recognize the unique challenges faced by young minds and the importance of early intervention in fostering healthy development. With a multidisciplinary approach, we tailor our treatments to meet the individual needs of each patient, ensuring comprehensive support for their mental health journey. We are diligently addressing the mental health crisis in the Richmond community and beyond by promoting access to mental health care through development of innovative care models.

Education is paramount in shaping the future of child and adolescent psychiatry. Through our training programs, we aim to equip the next generation of child psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice providers and researchers with the knowledge, skills, and empathy needed to excel in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. We foster an environment of learning and collaboration, where expertise is shared and nurtured.

Research is the driving force behind our efforts to understand and address pediatric mental health challenges. Our team is dedicated to conducting innovative research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge. From exploring the underlying mechanisms of disorders to evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, our research endeavors are driven by a passion for discovery and a commitment to improving outcomes for our patients.

In our division we foster excellence through the values of respect, inclusion, integrity, and collaborative ideas, cultivating an environment that nurtures growth, meaning, and purpose in our endeavors to serve the community.

As Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, I am honored to lead a team of dedicated professionals who embody these principles in their daily work. Together, we are united in our mission to provide excellent patient care, advance education, and conduct transformative research that impacts the lives of children and adolescents locally and worldwide.

--Ekaterina Stepanova, MD, PhD