The Cairnmillar Clinic provides therapy for children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years old at all four of our clinic locations. Therapy is provided by both student clinicians and registered psychologists. Services include individual therapy, family therapy, and parent support.
There are many reasons why children or adolescents may be seeking assessment and treatment. Some of these presentations may include:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- School refusal
- Sleep difficulties
- Challenging behaviours
- Concerns around gender identity or sexuality
- Disordered eating and body image concerns
- Post-traumatic stress
- Social difficulties
- Family & relationship issues
- And others…
The Cairnmillar Clinic also offers parenting groups regularly. You can view our Groups and Programs here.
Appointment process
For children aged 14 and under, parents or legal guardians are required to attend an initial session without the child present, to provide comprehensive background information to the clinician.
For adolescents aged 15 to 16, parent or legal guardian attendance is optional.
Adolescents aged 17+ are required to attend their initial consultation and can it is at their discretion whether a parent or legal guardian is present.
FAQs
Typically, for children and young people under 18 years of age, the parent/guardian contacts us to provide consent for us to work with the child or young person.
However, in line with legislation regarding provision of health services to minors, young people aged under 18 can engage with treatment at our clinic without their parent or guardian being involved if they are judged to be competent to provide informed consent. In other words, we assess whether the child or young person fully understands what they are consenting to, for them to be able to legally give consent.
We usually encourage young people to involve their parents if possible.
In the case of parents who are separated or divorced, we will ask that both parents confirm consent for our involvement with their child, unless there are court orders specifying that only one parent has responsibility for medical decisions. We also ask for any court orders be attached to our online registration form that will be sent to you once an appointment is confirmed.
Similarly, for children in out of home care, we require written consent from the child’s legal guardian.
In line with Australian legislation, confidentiality and privacy are afforded to the young person and to parents.
Exceptions to this may include safety concerns. In those situations, clinicians are required to act in a way that promotes safety. This is done in consultation with the young person and with respect to their independence as much as possible.
For children aged 14 years and under, we ask parents/guardians to attend an initial session without the child.
For young people aged 15 years and over, the first session may be with parent(s)/guardian(s) and the child instead. During this session, your therapist will discuss how sessions will work in terms of parent/guardian involvement, and how feedback will be provided.
See our Assessments page for detailed information on cognitive and other psychological assessments.
For clients under the age of 14 years, Medicare requires an alternative claimant for rebates. This is typically the child’s parent or legal guardian. The Cairnmillar Clinic registration form has fields to provide information for alternative claimants (full name, date of birth and Medicare number are required).
Clients aged 15+ are not required by Medicare to have an alternative claimant, however as a parent or legal guardian incurring medical expenses, you may wish to provide alternative claimant details to ensure you receive the rebate directly.
Please contact the clinic at clinic@cairnmillar.org.au or 1800 391 393 if you have any questions.
Please refer to our Fees & Rebates page for detailed information.
Clinicians
Adisha Ismaili
Student Clinician
Adisha is a Master of Professional Psychology student and is currently completing her placement at the CMI clinics in Hawthorn and the CBD.
Alaine Corera
Student Clinician
Alaine has extensive experience working with clients of all ages from CALD backgrounds, clients and families struggling with addictive behaviors and individuals who have been affected or involved in family violence going through the court system.
Anita Gupta
Senior Clinical Psychologist & Child and Family Lead
Anita works with people across the lifespan, with a special interest in children and parents and is experienced in assisting with a range of concerns.
Belinda Gidman-Rowse
Student Clinician
Belinda is currently completing her placement within our internal clinics as part of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy course.
Dr Jennifer Baxter
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Jennifer aims to develop a warm and genuine therapeutic relationship with her clients. She takes a client-centred approach in helping individuals work toward their goals.
Dr Melissa Siu
Clinical Psychologist & Placement Supervisor
Melissa has worked in both public hospital and private practice settings for over 20 years. She enjoys working with individuals and conducting group therapy.
John Harris
Student Clinician
John is a provisional psychologist, who is currently on placement within the Cairnmillar Clinics as part of the Master of Professional Psychology.
Joy Low
Student Clinician
Joy is a provisional psychologist currently undertaking placement as part of the Master of Professional Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute.
Kimberley Chan
Psychologist
Kim is an AHPRA registered psychologist who is passionate about helping people of all ages and backgrounds with their mental health and well-being by providing a safe and nurturing environment. She adopts a warm and collaborative approach in her practice.
Kimberly Cikos
Student Clinician
Kimberly is currently completing the Master of Professional Psychology at the Cairnmillar Institute. As part of her degree, she is completing her placement at the Cairnmillar Clinic.
Maria Marshall
Student Clinician
Maria is completing her placement within our internal clinics as part of the Master of Professional Psychology and completing her 6th year internship (Master of Professional Psychology Practice degree) in 2023 at the Cairnmillar Institute.
Michelle Doolan
Senior Psychologist & Family Therapist
Michelle is a Counselling Psychologist and Clinical Family Therapist who works with children, adults, couples, and families. Michelle tailors her approach and supports clients to connect with their strengths as they work towards their goals.
Michelle Nguyen
Student Clinician
Michelle is a student clinician, currently on placement within the Cairnmillar Clinics.
Min Li
Educational & Developmental Psychologist
Min completed her Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology at Monash University in 2011. She is a registered psychologist and an Educational and Developmental psychology registrar.
Neil Wilson
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Neil is an experienced psychologist who has worked in clinical and private settings over the past decade. He works collaboratively with his clients to create realistic goals for treatment.
Rachael Iudica
Psychologist
Rachael is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who aims to develop a genuine therapeutic rapport with her clients and provide a safe, reflective space in which they feel heard and understood. She offers a person-centred approach and works collaboratively with clients to achieve their goals.
Ryan Klibansky
Student Clinician
Ryan is currently completing his placement within our internal clinics as part of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy degree at the Cairnmillar Institute.
Selam Ahmed
Student Clinician
Selam is currently completing her internship within our internal clinics as part of the Master of Professional Psychology Practice degree at the Cairnmillar Institute.
Stacey Freebody
Senior Psychologist & Supervisor
Stacey is a psychologist with professional passions across developmental research and teaching, as well the applied clinical support of her child clients and their families.
Request an appointment
Once an appointment request is submitted, a clinical admin team member will contact you to commence our triage process.
Crisis Numbers
| Emergency Services | 000 | 24 hours/7 days a week. Call this number in emergency situations when immediate police, fire or ambulance assistance is required. |
| Lifeline | 13 11 14 | Lifeline is available 24 hours a day to listen, without judgement to any person in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, experiencing crisis or longs to be heard. |
| SuicideLine Victoria | 1300 651 251 | SuicideLine Victoria is a 24/7 telehealth provider that offers free professional phone and online counselling for people living in Victoria. |
| MensLine Australia | 1300 789 978 | 24 hours/7 days a week. MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere, anytime.. |
| Sexual Assault Crisis Line | 1800 806 292 | 5 pm–9 am/7 days. Victims/survivors of past and recent sexual assault. |
| Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 | 24/7 Telephone counselling service for people aged between 5 and 25. |
| BeyondBlue | 1300 224 636 | 24 hours/7 days a week. Call, online chat and online forums. |
| Safe Steps | 1800 015 188 | Safe Steps is Victoria’s 24/7 family violence response centre. Providing specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence. |