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Guiding teens and their families through life’s toughest transitions with expert care, empathy, and clarity.
Adolescent Psychiatrist in Chicago – Expert Mental Health Care for Teens
Evidence-based psychiatric care for teens in Chicago facing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health challenges.
Guiding teens and their families through life’s toughest transitions with expert care, empathy, and clarity.
Adolescent Psychiatrist in Chicago – Expert Mental Health Care for Teens
Evidence-based psychiatric care for teens in Chicago facing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health challenges.
Dr. Sudhakar Shenoy is a board-certified adolescent psychiatrist in Chicago with extensive training and clinical experience in treating the unique mental health needs of teenagers and young adults. He completed his Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where he served as Chief Fellow , and is board certified in both general psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry.
Dr. Shenoy has worked with adolescents across outpatient, inpatient, and emergency settings and is known for his thoughtful, developmentally attuned approach to care. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of conditions such as teen depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, school refusal, social withdrawal, trauma-related symptoms, and self-harming behaviors . He also provides support for adolescents navigating identity development, academic stress, peer relationships , and transitions to adulthood.
In his private practice at Downtown Psychiatry Chicago , Dr. Shenoy partners with families and schools to develop evidence-based, individualized treatment plans that may include psychotherapy coordination, family guidance, academic accommodations, and, when appropriate, medication management. He is especially skilled at helping teens who may feel misunderstood or resistant to treatment engage in care through connection, empathy, and respect.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Shenoy is a nationally recognized leader in adolescent psychiatry. He serves in leadership roles with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) , the American Psychiatric Association (APA) , the Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS) , and the Illinois Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (ICCAP) , where he advocates for improved youth mental health care across systems.
Dr. Shenoy brings a multicultural lens and a trauma-informed approach to his work with adolescents and their families. His goal is to help each teen feel heard, respected, and empowered to grow into the person they are becoming—with support, safety, and skillful care.
What We Help With
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety
- Social anxiety
- ADHD in teens
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- School refusal
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Trauma and PTSD
- Identity concerns
- Peer conflicts
- Panic attacks
- Mood swings or emotional outbursts
- Test anxiety or academic stress
- Low self-esteem and self-worth issues
- Gender identity and LGBTQIA+ support
- Sleep difficulties or insomnia
- Executive functioning problems (organization, time management)
- Parent-teen conflict or communication struggles
- Bullying or social media stress
- Gaming or screen time overuse
- Substance use experimentation (vaping, alcohol, cannabis, others)
- Grief and loss (e.g., after death, parental conflict, divorce, or separation)
- Body image concerns or disordered eating behaviors
- Perfectionism and burnout
- Risky behaviors or impulsivity
- Difficulty adjusting to life transitions (new school, moving, etc.)
My Approach to Adolescent Psychiatry
At Downtown Psychiatry Chicago, I partner with teens, families, and schools to create thoughtful, evidence-based treatment plans. I take time to understand each adolescent’s world—whether they’re feeling anxious, stuck, shut down, or misunderstood—and I approach care with respect, collaboration, and honesty.
I specialize in helping teens who may be hesitant or resistant to treatment, engage meaningfully through connection, empathy, and trust. My approach is trauma-informed, culturally attuned, and tailored to meet each young person where they are.
I work closely with families, schools, therapists, and other professionals to create individualized care plans that may include therapy coordination, academic support, and, when appropriate, medication.
Here’s what the care journey typically looks like:
Illinois law provides teens aged 12 and older with certain privacy protections around mental health treatment.
While I keep parents appropriately informed, I also create space for private conversations with teens—helping them feel safe, respected, and empowered to speak openly. I communicate clearly about when and how information will be shared, always with the teen’s trust and safety in mind.
Adolescent Psychiatry FAQ
Adolescents go through many changes, but when emotional, behavioral, or academic challenges begin to interfere with daily life, it may be time to seek help. If your teen is showing signs of persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability, withdrawal, sleep changes, poor school performance, or thoughts of self-harm, a psychiatric evaluation can help identify what’s going on and what support is needed.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing mental health conditions and can prescribe medications when needed. Therapists (like psychologists, counselors, or social workers) offer talk therapy and behavioral strategies. Many teens benefit from a combination of both. At Downtown Psychiatry Chicago, Dr. Shenoy works collaboratively with therapists and schools to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
Dr. Shenoy has extensive experience evaluating and treating teens and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities, sensory concerns, and other developmental differences. However, we do NOT provide ADOS testing but we can provide referrals for formal testing.
Not always. Medication is just one of many tools in child psychiatry. We take a thoughtful, stepwise approach—starting with a comprehensive evaluation and often coordinating with therapists, pediatricians, and schools. If medication is considered appropriate, we’ll discuss it in detail, answer your questions, and proceed with caution and collaboration.
Yes. School stress, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues often intersect with mental health. Dr. Shenoy routinely communicates with school counselors, IEP teams, and other professionals (with consent) to advocate for academic accommodations and create a supportive learning environment tailored to your teen’s needs.
Helping Teens Navigate a Changing World
Adolescence is full of adapting to changes. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for teens to be heard—while keeping parents informed and involved. Evidence-based care with flexibility and heart.