A Ray of Hope
Neurology, Psychiatry, and Therapy
Psychiatric Care for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
AGES 7 TO 40 - NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Board-certified child and adolescent psychiatry at A Ray of Hope. ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and mood disorders, with therapy available in the same practice.
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Board-certified Psychiatrists
Therapy in the same practice
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Christian Schmidt, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PSYCHIATRIST
Christian Schmidt, MD treats children, teens, and young adults, with a particular focus on the transition from adolescence into adulthood. That stretch is where a lot of young people fall through the gap between pediatric and adult care, and it is the part of this work he finds most worth doing.
He believes strong rapport and long term trust are the foundation of better outcomes, and he takes a real interest in getting to know families rather than just patients. Beyond medication management, he builds therapy and practical lifestyle strategies into every care plan.
A Lake Forest native, he earned his degree in Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology at Yale before spending several years in clinical research at Yale School of Medicine, the German Cancer Research Center, and UIC in Chicago. He brings a warm, relaxed manner and a ready sense of humor to every appointment, which matters more than it sounds when the patient is fourteen and would rather be anywhere else.
READ HIS FULL PROFILEWhat He Treats
You do not need a diagnosis before calling. Working out what is going on is what the first appointment is for.
ADHD
Attention, focus, organization, and the school struggles that come with them.
Anxiety
Worry, panic, school refusal, and avoidance that has started narrowing their world.
Depression
Low mood, withdrawal, irritability, and loss of interest in things they used to enjoy.
PTSD and Trauma
The lasting effects of frightening or overwhelming experiences.
Bipolar Disorder
Diagnosis and long term mood stabilization across adolescence and young adulthood.
Schizophrenia-Spectrum
Early evaluation and ongoing psychiatric care, often first appearing in the late teens or twenties.
When the Diagnosis Is Not Obvious
ADHD, anxiety, a learning difference, and the effects of trauma can look remarkably alike in a child. Testing is how that gets sorted out. It measures attention, memory, processing speed, and learning in a structured way, so care is aimed at what is actually driving the difficulty rather than at a best guess.
Testing often helps when
- A child is struggling at school and no one is sure why
- ADHD has been raised but never formally evaluated
- Attention problems could just as easily be anxiety, sleep, or a learning difference
- A plan that seemed right has not worked the way anyone expected
- Different diagnoses have been suggested over the years
Why it matters that we do it here
- No second referral and no second waitlist
- The psychologist doing the testing and Dr. Schmidt are in the same practice
- Results feed straight into the treatment plan instead of sitting in a report
- You are not retelling the whole story to another office
Not every child needs testing. Dr. Schmidt will tell you at the first visit whether it would add anything, and many families never need it at all.
Learn about Neuropsychological TestingFor Parents Making the Call
01
You can call first
Your child does not have to be on board before you reach out. Plenty of parents call to ask questions and decide afterward.
02
The first visit is a conversation
Nothing invasive and no tests. Dr. Schmidt talks with your child and with you about what has been happening and how long.
03Medication is not automatic
It is one option among several, and it is discussed with you rather than decided for you. Therapy and practical strategies are part of every plan.
04
Bring what you have
Report cards, school communications, past testing, or notes from a pediatrician all help. None of it is required to book.
Ready When You Are
Choose the office nearest you to request an appointment, or call and we will answer your questions first.
Libertyville, IL REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT Kenosha, WI REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT Phoenix, AZ REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT
Prefer to talk to someone? (847) 816-6335 Illinois and Wisconsin | (520) 595-5500 Phoenix
Monday to Thursday 8 to 5, Friday 8 to 4. Phoenix 8 to 6, Friday until 4:30 MST.
A Ray of Hope
Neurology and Psychiatry
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