Child and Adolescent 

Unfortunately, children are not immune from mental health challenges. But our family-focused services help children, adolescents and teenagers understand their emotions and give them the tools to turn limitations into strengths.  

 

Our Holistic Approach

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Mental health is a result of biological, psychological, social and cultural factors, which is why we look at the full picture to create a tailor-made treatment plan. Our holistic approach includes a range of psychotherapy (talk therapy) styles and encourages family involvement.

 

An integrated approach to treatment may involve:

 

• Individual, group or family psychotherapy

• Medication

• Consultation with other medical or allied health professionals

• School engagement

• Other agencies

• Other community organisations.

 

Early Intervention

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A year or two is a long time in the life of a child - early intervention leads to the best possible outcome. Our initial assessment takes two or three sessions and is followed up with a recommendation for treatment.

 

Psychologist or Psychiatrist?

 

Some children and adolescents will benefit from a child psychologist while others require the specialist medical training of a child psychiatrist. Find out which approach is best for you or your child on this page. 

 

Our Treatment Rooms

 

Parents are often surprised to find our Eastwood clinic rooms more homely and child-friendly than a formal office. These rooms are designed for infants, children and adolescent psychotherapy – open spaces, toys and books are all part of our holistic approach. 

 

Medication Only When Warranted

 

We understand that many parents are fearful of starting their children on medication. Our Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist prescribes medication only when necessary and appropriate. It is very rarely used for children under six and our focus is on psychotherapy that includes the entire family.

 

Our Integrated approach

 

Given our team of expert psychologists and psychiatrists, we are able to offer fully-integrated services for children. We often can fully assess, diagnose and treat most conditions.

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We specialise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of:

 

• Academic Anxiety (including HSC stress)

• Anxiety

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

• Bipolar Disorder

• Borderline Personality Disorder

• Complex Trauma

• Gender Dysphoria

• Depression

• Giftedness-related mental health issues

• Mood Disorders

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

• Parent-child relationship difficulties

• Personality Disorders

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Psychosis

• School refusal

• Many more

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