What is a Psychiatrist?
A Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in the assessment and ​treatment of mental health problems in infants, children and young people.
In addition to the primary medical degree and mandated time working as a doctor in general medicine (including surgery, medicine, and emergency medicine), psychiatrists ​have undertaken a minimum of five years of specialty training prescribed by the RANZCP and in order to complete this training and be fully qualified, they must have passed multiple assessments and compulsory supervised rotations in specific areas of psychiatry.
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These assessments are rigorous, intensive, and many do not make it through this process. These are the bare minimum to be a qualified psychiatrist.
"Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists" undertake specific training after they have completed foundation ​training in adult psychiatry. This leads to the Certificate of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry which is needed to be able to describe yourself as a "Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist". This is a protected title under law. This is distinct from a "doctor who works in psychiatry" or a "psychiatric registrar", both of which are valuable professions but do not have the same level of qualifications.
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A qualified psychiatrist will have their college qualifications listed as a part of their professional title ("FRANZCP") which is usually accompanied by their certificate of sub-specialisation if they are a more recent consultant, which includes "Cert C&A Psychiatry" if the psychiatrist has completed sub-specialist training in this field and passed all assessments and mandatory rotations.
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How Can I Tell If I Am Seeing a Qualified Psychiatrist?
That is a very important question.
A fully qualified psychiatrist who is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry (i.e. they have completed the training and assessment as outlined above) will usually have their college qualifications listed on their website or professional correspondence.
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For any doctor or professional working in the field of mental health or healthcare, look for the letters after their name. There are excellent and very helpful individuals working in all of the following fields, in their different roles, however their actual qualifications can be confusing unless clearly stated. Many professionals will have letters after their name indicating some form of qualification in mental health, and a big list of letters can look impressive, but you need to look at the core qualifications to see their actual professional role.
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FRANZCP = a fellowed psychiatrist.
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FRACP = a fellowed physician, including those specialised in paediatrics (many areas of physician specialty are covered in the FRACP).
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FRACGP = a fellowed GP who has undertaken intense training and is qualified through the specialist GP program as a GP. Some GPs will be described as a "GPwSI" which means they are a GP with an extended role in a particular area of interest. A GP has completed GP training and is not a psychiatrist, although GPs work with the majority of patients with mental illness and need to refer to psychiatrists so that patients can access Medicare rebates. A GP is usually the first doctor that provides care for a mentally ill patient.
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NP = a nurse practitioner. They may have a doctorate in nursing, which means they are also qualified to hold the "Dr" title, however they are not a medical doctor or a psychiatrist. They can have extensive experience in the field of psychiatry and be highly qualified and may be able to prescribe in their role as experienced and qualified nurses, providing valuable care.​
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A "doctor working in psychiatry" may not hold any of the above qualifications, apart from a medical degree. A "psychiatrist in training" may be a psychiatric registrar, which is a doctor working their way through the psychiatric training program under the supervision of fully qualified psychiatrists in a training role. They have not finished their training.
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Doctors should be searchable on the AHPRA register of practitioners website, and if they are a specialist, will be listed as having "specialist registration" on this site.
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If you are unsure of the qualifications of the doctor you are seeing, you should ask the clinic or the doctor themselves.
Please remember . . .
It is vital that patients under my care feel they have agency over their own healthcare and understand the goals, risks and benefits and plan for their care, whether or not this includes medication, therapy or a combination of both. Medication is never a mandatory part of attending, and I am happy to support patients in the reduction, cessation and rationalisation of their treatment as well as respecting their opinions if they are finding benefits and opt to continue. Medication will not be offered against current evidence or where risk exceeds benefit.
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Patients are welcome to continue attending for therapy whether or not they are not taking medication.
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Mental illnesses and neurodevelopmental disorders are real conditions and the people who experience them deserve evidence-based and experienced help and care in a way that helps them live their lives.
What should we expect at our first appointment?
It is natural to be nervous for your first appointment, even if you have seen a psychiatrist before.
Safety
Everyone has the right to safety, including psychological safety, in their appointments. If you do not feel you can answer a question or discuss part of your life, this will be respected.
You will not be forced to talk about topics that are unsafe for you.
Aggression from one person to another is not part of a therapeutic space and will not be tolerated.
Who will be in the room?
For the parent or carer appointment, the carer/s are welcome to attend. This is a vital appointment so that I can understand you and your family.
For the patient's first and subsequent appointments, the decision rests with the patient. Some prefer a parent present, some prefer to be by themselves. It is your choice.
Patients under 12 or patients who find speaking difficult with new people usually need a parent to have a very active presence in their appointment.
Confidentiality
As a doctor and therapist, I hold your confidentiality to be of utmost importance. There will be times when this needs to be considered, but they are rare and involve acute and imminent risk.
I will not talk to your educational institution or employer without your express permission and I prefer phonecalls to them to be in your presence during an appointment, and letters to them will go through you so that you can decide if you are comfortable with the information being shared.
Be Yourself
Most importantly, please feel free to be yourself. I am a very accepting person and know that people deserve to be seen and heard as themselves rather than a list of problems or diagnoses.
I will ask you about your life, your interests, your physical health, what foods you love, your friends, your family, your pets - all these things make up the richness of your life and are very important. They help me understand what is central to your values and guide how I help and how I track your progress.