Child Psychiatry in the Hills District: Specialist Assessment & Support for Children
When a child struggles with their emotions, behaviour, learning or understanding the world around them, it can be one of the most concerning experiences for a parent. Child psychiatry exists to help families uncover the underlying issues and find the best path forward. At Dolphin Tribe in Baulkham Hills, our specialist child psychiatrists work with children and their families throughout Sydney’s Hills District. They provide thorough assessments, accurate diagnoses and compassionate, evidence-based care, all tailored to each child’s unique needs.
What is Child Psychiatry?
Child psychiatry is a specialist branch of medicine focused on the mental, emotional, and behavioural health of children. Child psychiatrists (also referred to as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist or Paediatric Psychiatrist) are medical doctors who have undergone rigorous postgraduate specialist training in Psychiatry and additional specialist training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry before becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP).
This means they can assess and diagnose a full range of psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, and prescribe and manage medication where clinically appropriate.
For teenagers and young adults requiring specialist psychiatric support, visit our dedicated adolescent psychiatry
Conditions We Assess and Treat
Given our team of neurodiversity-informed expert psychologists and psychiatrists, we can offer fully integrated services for children. We can often fully assess, diagnose, and treat a very wide spectrum of conditions.
Our child psychiatrists have expertise across a broad range of presentations, including:
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Academic Anxiety (including HSC stress)
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Anxiety disorders, childhood anxiety
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Anxiety disorders — generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety, selective mutism, and school refusal
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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
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Behavioural difficulties
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Bipolar Disorder
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Complex Trauma
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Gender Dysphoria
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Depression and mood disorders — including persistent low mood, emotional dysregulation, and early-onset depression
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Giftedness-related mental health issues
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Mood Disorders
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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Parent-child relationship difficulties
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Personality Disorders
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Psychosis
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Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including responses to adverse childhood experiences
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Tic disorders and Tourette syndrome
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School refusal
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Sleep difficulties — where there is a psychiatric or neurodevelopmental component
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Many more
Many children we see have more than one condition — for example, ADHD and anxiety, or autism and OCD. Our clinicians are trained to assess the full picture, not just the most visible presenting difficulty.
What to Expect from a Child Psychiatry Assessment
A child psychiatry assessment at Dolphin Tribe is a thorough, unhurried process. Our psychiatrists take the time to understand your child as a whole — their history, their development, their strengths, and what's been getting in the way. We work collaboratively with parents and carers throughout, because you know your child better than anyone.
A comprehensive assessment typically includes:
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A detailed developmental and medical history
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Current presenting concerns and how long they have been occurring
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Family history of mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions
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Review of school reports and, where needed, communication with teachers
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Observation of the child and structured conversation, adjusted for their age and communication style
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Standardised rating scales and questionnaires, where appropriate
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Discussion with parents about findings, diagnosis, and recommended next steps
At the end of the assessment, you will have a clear explanation of our findings, a diagnosis where appropriate, and a treatment plan in plain language — with time for your questions.
Treatment and Ongoing Support
Mental health is influenced by biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors, which is why we consider 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.
Treatment at Dolphin Tribe is built around your child's specific needs and may include:
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Parent guidance and psychoeducation — helping you understand your child's condition and respond in ways that support their wellbeing
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Therapy - Individual, group or family psychotherapy, CBT, play therapy, or trauma-informed approaches.
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Medication assessment and management — where clinically indicated, with careful monitoring and open discussion with families at every step
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School liaison and support — collaborating with educators to put the right adjustments in place
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Referral to other medical or allied health professionals.
We don't prescribe medication lightly. Where it is recommended, it is because the evidence supports it for your child's specific presentation, and it is always introduced gradually, with regular review.
Why Families in the Hills District Choose Dolphin Tribe
Dolphin Tribe is a specialist mental health and neurodevelopmental clinic. Every clinician on our team has specialist training in child mental health — we don't offer child psychiatry as a side service, it's central to what we do. That depth of expertise means your child is seen by someone who understands the full complexity of childhood mental health, neurodevelopment, and the particular pressures children face today.
We're located in Baulkham Hills and see families from across the Hills District, including Castle Hill, Norwest, Kellyville, Rouse Hill, and surrounding areas. Under one roof, we offer child psychiatry, child and adolescent psychology, and speech pathology — making it straightforward for families to access coordinated, specialist care without juggling multiple practices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Psychiatry
Does my child need a GP referral to see a child psychiatrist?
Yes, a GP referral is required to see one of our child psychiatrists.
What is the difference between a child psychiatrist and a child psychologist?
A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions and prescribe medication where needed. A child psychologist provides psychological assessment and therapy but cannot prescribe medication. Many children benefit from working with both, and at Dolphin Tribe, you can access both services under one roof.
At what age can a child see a psychiatrist?
Our child psychiatrists see children of all ages. I
Will my child need medication?
Not necessarily. Medication is only ever considered after a thorough assessment, and is always discussed openly with parents before any decision is made. For many conditions, therapy and parent guidance are the first line of treatment. Where medication is appropriate, it is carefully chosen, introduced gradually, and monitored closely.
Book a Child Psychiatry Assessment — Contact Dolphin Tribe
If you're concerned about your child's mental health, behaviour, or development, our specialist team at Dolphin Tribe in Baulkham Hills is here to help. Contact our reception team to discuss your child's needs or to book an assessment: email reception@dolphintribe.com.au or complete the following form.
Remember to ask your GP for a referral before your first psychiatry appointment.
If you are concerned about your child's immediate safety, please contact Beyond Blue (1300 224 636), Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or call emergency services (000).
