Sarasota County
Child & Teen Psychiatrist for Sarasota Families
Two psychiatrists board-certified specifically in child and adolescent psychiatry, in person across the Skyway at our Pinellas Bayway office, with video follow-ups that fit Sarasota school schedules.
Home / Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Sarasota
Quick Answer
Sarasota families see Dr. Alison Larson, D.O. or Dr. Rachel McKenna of Haven Psychiatry & Wellness for child and adolescent psychiatry, in person on Pinellas Bayway South (exit 17, just north of the Sunshine Skyway) or by secure telehealth from home. Both physicians hold board certification in child & adolescent psychiatry in addition to adult psychiatry; evaluations are unhurried, parents are part of the process, and medication is prescribed conservatively with close follow-up.
Sarasota Patients
Why Sarasota Comes to Haven
Sarasota's school-age population has grown sharply with Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, and the North Port–Venice corridor, and the number of psychiatrists formally board-certified in child and adolescent psychiatry has not. Sarasota parents usually find us after a pediatrician or school counselor recommended a child psychiatrist and the nearest opening was months out or on a cash-only concierge panel.
Haven's approach for Sarasota families is built around the school day and the I-75 drive. Most Sarasota families come in person for the evaluation — the Skyway puts them at our exit without crossing any city traffic, and parents generally want to meet the physician who will be treating their child. Once care is established, routine follow-ups can move to secure telehealth in the late afternoon, with in-person visits whenever the family or the physician prefers them.
Dr. Larson focuses much of her practice on children and teens; Dr. McKenna treats children, adolescents, and their parents. Neither starts a child on medication reflexively. The first visit is about what is happening at home, at school, and with sleep, and any medication decision is explained to the family first, with monitoring built in.
Haven's child and adolescent psychiatry covers evaluation and treatment for ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, autism spectrum concerns, and more, for children and teens, with parents involved throughout. Full detail on the approach and conditions treated is on the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry page.
Who You'll See
Dr. Larson focuses much of her practice on children and teens; Dr. McKenna treats children, adolescents, and their parents. Families choose either physician and keep that physician.
Read full credentials →Getting Here from Sarasota
From Sarasota, I-75 north to exit 228 for I-275 north, across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (toll), then exit 17, 54th Avenue South / Pinellas Bayway (SR 682); west on the Bayway and south on SR 679 onto Tierra Verde. From downtown or the keys, US-41 north through Bradenton to I-275 is the alternative when I-75 is heavy.
Interstate the whole way, then the Skyway drops you at our exit before you reach any St. Petersburg traffic. Sarasota patients usually pair a visit with a beach or Fort De Soto afternoon.
Free surface parking directly outside Suite 102 — no garage, no meter, no validation.
Haven Psychiatry & Wellness
1110 Pinellas Bayway South, Suite 102
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
813-567-5675
What's Different
Worth the Drive from Sarasota
Certified in child psychiatry, not just 'sees kids'
Both Haven physicians hold formal child & adolescent board certification. Many practices in Sarasota County list pediatric patients without that training.
Follow-ups that do not cost a school day
Once care is established, Sarasota families can keep routine follow-ups on secure video after school hours and cross the Skyway for the visits they or the physician want in person.
Parents in the room, every time
Evaluations and follow-ups include a parent or guardian, whether the visit is on video from Lakewood Ranch or in the office on the Bayway.
Areas We Serve
Sarasota & Surrounding Areas
Patients travel to Haven from across Sarasota County. These are the areas we see most often.
Not on the list? See all service areas or call 813-567-5675.
Common Questions
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry in Sarasota — FAQ
What ages do you see from Sarasota?
Children, adolescents, and young adults. Both physicians are board-certified in child & adolescent psychiatry and in adult psychiatry, so care continues without a hand-off when a teen turns eighteen.
Can the first visit be by telehealth?
Yes, if you prefer it. Most Sarasota families choose an in-person evaluation at the office, one Skyway crossing away, but the initial evaluation can also be done by secure video with a parent present.
Will my child be put on medication at the first visit?
Not as a rule. The first visit is an evaluation. If medication is recommended, the reasoning, options, and monitoring plan are discussed with the family first.
Do you provide documentation for Sarasota County school accommodations?
The physician can provide diagnostic documentation and treatment summaries for 504 or IEP requests when clinically appropriate. Bring any existing school evaluations to the first visit.
Also at Haven
Related Care
Book from Sarasota
Schedule online in under a minute, or call the office and we'll find a time that works around your drive.