Child & adolescent psychiatry.
Medical mental-health care for children and adolescents whose picture is complex, or who need psychiatric input alongside paediatrics and psychology. Diagnostic assessment, medication where it's the right fit, and a plan that everyone caring for your child is working from together.
The medical end of mental-health care.
Most young people who need mental-health support get there well with a GP, a paediatrician, a psychologist, or some combination of the three. Psychiatry sits at the more complex end of that pathway. It's for the picture that hasn't settled, the diagnosis that needs a specialist opinion, or the medication question that benefits from psychiatric input.
At Kids' Dr, child and adolescent psychiatry is part of the wider team, not a separate silo. Your child's paediatrician, psychologist and psychiatrist work together where that helps, and your GP stays involved as the coordinator of general care. The aim is a plan that everyone's aligned on, adjusted as your child grows.
Not a first stop for every worry.
For when the picture isn't clear, when several concerns are running at once, or when a young person hasn't settled with primary care and psychology alone.
A structured psychiatric assessment that draws on developmental history, family and school context, information from previous clinicians, and time spent with your child. Diagnosis is a shared conversation with you and your child, not a label handed down.
Where medication is part of the plan, the psychiatrist walks you through options, trials it carefully, and coordinates ongoing scripts with your GP or paediatrician once the young person is settled.
Kids' Dr works as an integrated team. The psychiatrist stays in step with your paediatrician, your psychologist and (with consent) your child's school, so everyone's rowing in the same direction.
The Kids' Dr child & adolescent psychiatrist.
Dr Toula Tsovolos is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist working alongside the Kids' Dr paediatric team and our psychology team. She sees children and adolescents referred by GPs and paediatricians for diagnostic clarity, medication management and complex mental-health presentations.
At Earlwood.
Privately billed.
Child and adolescent psychiatry consultations are privately billed. A GP or paediatrician referral is required for the Medicare rebate to apply. Without a valid referral in place, the consultation is fully private.
Reception confirms the specific fee and expected out-of-pocket cost when you book.
Common questions.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A GP or paediatrician referral is required for the Medicare rebate to apply. Your usual GP, or one of ours, can prepare it.
How is this different from psychology?
Psychiatry is a medical specialty. That means diagnostic assessment, medical management and medication where clinically indicated are within scope, alongside coordination with paediatrics. Psychology focuses on structured assessment and psychological therapy. Many young people benefit from both working together.
Will my child need medication?
Not necessarily. Whether medication is part of the plan depends on the picture, the diagnosis, and your child's situation. The psychiatrist will walk through options with you and won't rush into anything.
How does the team stay coordinated?
With your consent, the psychiatrist works alongside your child's paediatrician, psychologist, GP and school. Everyone shares the picture, and the plan lives in one place.
What should we bring to the first appointment?
Your referral, any prior mental-health reports, school reports where relevant, a list of your child's current medications, and notes from previous paediatric or psychology involvement.
Is this an acute crisis service?
No. Child and adolescent psychiatry at Kids' Dr is an outpatient, consultative service. If your child is in immediate danger or distress, call 000, contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or take them to your nearest emergency department.
