About psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors with special training and skills in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.
Some psychiatrists are child and adolescent psychiatrists. This means they specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions in children and teenagers.
Psychiatrists might work closely with psychologists and other mental health professionals.
If your child has mental health or wellbeing concerns, health professionals like psychiatrists are there to care for your child and help you understand your child’s condition and treatment. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you can help your child thrive.
Why your child might see a psychiatrist
Your child might see a psychiatrist if they have:
- aggressive behaviour or self-harming behaviour
- autism
- childhood depression or pre-teen and teenage depression
- severe childhood anxiety or teenage anxiety
- a severe conduct disorder
- an eating disorder
- emotional or mental health challenges that come with a physical condition
- post-traumatic stress and related disorders
- schizophrenia
- selective mutism
- suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts.
The psychiatrist can diagnose mental health conditions and look at the best treatment for your child.
Treatments might involve:
- individual therapy
- family support – for example, education and advice
- family therapy
- medicine – for example, antidepressants
- parent counselling
- a combination of these treatments.
To see a psychiatrist, your child will need a referral from your GP. Your GP can help you find someone who’s right for your child. You can also go to The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists – Find a psychiatrist.
Before going to a psychiatrist
Before seeing the psychiatrist, it’s a good idea to find out about things like the following:
- Why you’re going – talk with your GP about why your child needs to see a psychiatrist.
- Appointments – do you need to make the appointment, or will the GP make it for you? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
- Waiting lists – how long before you can get an appointment to see the psychiatrist?
- Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment? For example, can your child start some treatment or therapy?
- Costs – how much will the appointment with the psychiatrist cost? Check whether you can get money back from Medicare or private health insurance.
- Locations – find out where you have to go to see the psychiatrist – for example, public hospital, private hospital or clinic.
- Preparation – what do you need to bring to the appointment? For example, should you bring your child’s referral letter or any Medicare or other concession cards?
You can ask your GP these and any other questions before you go to the psychiatrist. You could also ask the psychiatrist’s clinic when you make your appointment. Writing down your questions can help you remember them.