Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
MD, MMed(Psych), FRANZCP, Adv Cert Child Adol Psych
AHPRA: MED0001931439
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Dr. Mimi XuChild & Adolescent Psychiatrist
Depression
Depression Assessment & Treatment in Australia
Specialist psychiatric care for depression in children, adolescents, adults, and the perinatal period. Evidence-based, individualised, and confidential via secure telehealth across Australia.
Telehealth Australia-Wide
RANZCP Specialists
Medicare Rebates Available
What is Depression?
Depression is more than feeling sad. It is a persistent change in mood, energy, sleep, appetite, motivation, and thinking that interferes with normal functioning for at least two weeks. It affects how someone thinks about themselves, the future, and their relationships, and it can present very differently across age groups.
In children and younger adolescents, depression often looks like irritability, boredom, tearfulness, social withdrawal, or physical complaints rather than the classic adult presentation of sadness. School performance often drops, sleep changes, and previously enjoyed activities lose their pull. In adults, low mood, fatigue, hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating dominate.
Around 1 in 7 Australians will experience depression at some point in their life. It is highly treatable with evidence-based interventions, but the average time between symptom onset and seeking help is years, often because of stigma, the belief that the person should be able to fix it themselves, or difficulty recognising the early signs.
Common Signs of Depression
Common ways Depression can present
Persistent Low Mood or Irritability
Sadness, tearfulness, or in children and adolescents, persistent irritability or anger. The mood is present most of the day, most days, for at least two weeks, and it does not lift in response to normally enjoyable events.
Loss of Interest & Motivation
Things that previously brought pleasure no longer do. Hobbies are abandoned, friendships drift, getting out of bed feels like wading through mud. In children, this often shows as quitting sport, refusing playdates, or screen-based withdrawal.
Sleep & Appetite Changes
Sleeping much more or much less than usual. Appetite up or down with weight changes. Early-morning waking is a classic adult pattern. In adolescents, sleep often shifts later with daytime fatigue.
Cognitive Slowing & Concentration
Difficulty thinking clearly, making decisions, or remembering details. School and work performance drop. Often misread as laziness or ADHD when it is actually depression.
Hopelessness & Self-Critical Thinking
Strong sense that things will not improve, that the person is a burden, or that they have failed. Self-critical, ruminative thinking that the person cannot switch off. Worth taking seriously regardless of age.
Thoughts of Self-Harm or Suicide
Any thoughts of self-harm, suicide, or not wanting to be alive warrant urgent assessment. If these are active or there is a plan, please contact 000 or Lifeline 13 11 14 immediately. Lionheart is not an acute crisis service.
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It's difficult knowing where to start
Our free screening tools can help with that first step.
ADHD · Autism · Anxiety · Depression · PTSD
Take a Free ScreeningHow Depression Is Treated
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) are the most evidence-supported psychological treatments for depression across the lifespan. For mild-to-moderate depression, particularly in children and adolescents, structured psychological therapy alone is often the first-line approach.
For moderate-to-severe depression, the combination of psychological therapy and antidepressant medication is typically more effective than either alone. SSRIs are the most commonly used antidepressants and are well-evidenced in adolescents and adults. Choice of medication depends on age, symptom pattern, comorbidities, and prior response.
At Lionheart, our role is comprehensive psychiatric assessment, accurate diagnosis (including ruling out conditions that mimic depression such as thyroid dysfunction, sleep apnoea, or trauma), risk assessment, and treatment planning. We coordinate with psychologists for ongoing therapy, manage medication where appropriate, and provide your GP with a clear plan for shared care.
Our Specialist Psychiatrists
Experienced clinicians providing assessment and treatment for Depression
How to Get Started
Simple steps to access specialist care
1
Free Screening
Complete our free, validated screening tools for some initial answers.
2
Get a Referral
Request a Mental Health Treatment Plan referral from your GP.
3
Book Online
Choose a convenient time for your telehealth consultation.
4
Assessment
Meet with your psychiatrist via secure video from home.
How Lionheart Approaches Depression Care
Depression rarely occurs in isolation. It commonly co-occurs with anxiety, ADHD, trauma, eating disorders, and substance use. A psychiatric assessment maps the full picture so the treatment plan addresses what is actually driving the presentation, not just the surface symptoms.
For adolescents in particular, family involvement, school coordination, and screen and sleep hygiene are core to treatment. We provide reports and recommendations that schools and GPs can act on, and we coordinate with school counsellors when families want that.
Perinatal depression — depression during pregnancy or the first year postpartum — is common and frequently missed. It affects up to 1 in 6 mothers and shows up differently from typical depression because of the demands of new parenthood. Dr Joanna Blades provides specialist perinatal psychiatric assessment and treatment at Lionheart.
Related Free Screening Tools
Validated screening tools you can complete anonymously and share with any clinician.
PHQ-9 Depression Screening (Adult)
DSM-5-aligned 9-question screener for adult depression severity.
18+ years
PHQ-9 Depression Screening (Adolescent)
Adapted for ages 12-17 with crisis screening for suicidal ideation.
12-17 years
GAD-7 Anxiety Screening
Anxiety and depression frequently co-occur. Worth screening for both.
8+ years
Related Conditions
Conditions that often co-occur with Depression or share overlapping presentations.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Includes generalised anxiety, social anxiety, separation anxiety, panic disorder, and school refusal. Telehealth across Australia.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition involving intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours. Specialist assessment, diagnosis, and treatment via telehealth across Australia.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD assessment and trauma-informed treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Specialist psychiatric care via telehealth across Australia. Coordination with trauma-trained psychologists for evidence-based therapy.
Perinatal Mental Health
Perinatal psychiatric assessment and treatment for women in pregnancy and the postpartum period, including antenatal and postnatal depression, anxiety, OCD, and birth-related PTSD. Telehealth across Australia.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD assessment and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. Specialist psychiatric care via telehealth across Australia, including stimulant prescribing and ongoing review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Depression
Adolescence involves real mood ups and downs, but depression is sustained low mood or irritability that lasts more than two weeks, interferes with school, friendships, or family life, and does not lift with usually enjoyable events. If your teen is sleeping much more or less, withdrawing, talking negatively about themselves, or you are worried about self-harm, an assessment is worthwhile.
SSRIs are the most-studied antidepressants in adolescents and have a strong evidence base for treating moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety. They are generally well-tolerated. There is a small increased risk of suicidal thoughts in the first few weeks, which is why close monitoring during initiation is essential. The risk of untreated depression is significantly higher than the risk of medication.
Yes, especially for mild-to-moderate depression. CBT, interpersonal therapy, behavioural activation, sleep regulation, exercise, and family-based interventions are all evidence-supported. Medication is added when depression is severe, when therapy alone is not sufficient, or when functioning is significantly impaired.
Perinatal depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy (antenatal) or in the year after birth (postnatal). It affects up to 1 in 6 Australian mothers and is often missed because the early signs (fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood changes) overlap with the realities of new parenthood. It is highly treatable when identified, and treatment can be safely tailored to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Psychological therapy typically shows benefit over 6 to 12 weeks. Antidepressant medication usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to begin working and 8 to 12 weeks for full effect. Sleep, appetite, and physical symptoms often improve first; mood and motivation follow. We review progress at each appointment and adjust the plan as needed.
Active suicidal thoughts with intent or a plan, severe self-neglect, severe psychotic symptoms, or significant safety concerns require emergency assessment. Please call 000, attend your nearest emergency department, or call the Mental Health Line (1800 011 511 in NSW) or Lifeline (13 11 14). Lionheart provides non-acute psychiatric care and is not a crisis service.
For Healthcare Professionals
For GPs: Fast, Collaborative Referral Process
We partner with GPs and healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive psychiatric assessments and ongoing collaborative care for your young patients.
Fast Turnaround
Referral acknowledged within 24 hours, comprehensive report provided after assessment
Comprehensive Reports
Detailed assessment findings, diagnostic formulation, and management recommendations
Collaborative Care
We work closely with you, schools, and allied health professionals
How to Refer
- 1Complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan for your patient
- 2Write a referral letter with relevant history
- 3Patient books online or via our referral form
- 4We send you a detailed report after assessment
Questions about referring? Contact us at hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Why Choose Telehealth from Australia?
Access specialist psychiatric care without leaving home
Family-Centered Care
Collaborative approach involving parents and carers throughout the journey, with clear communication and support every step
RANZCP Specialists
All psychiatrists are Fellows of RANZCP with specialist training in child & adolescent mental health
No Travel Required
Secure video consultations from home, reducing stress for children and saving family time
Shorter Wait Times
Access specialist care sooner with telehealth appointments across all Australian states and territories
Investment in Your Care
Clear pricing for initial psychiatric assessment
Initial Psychiatric Assessment
A comprehensive 1.5 hour clinical consultation including:
- Detailed clinical interview (1.5 hours total)
- Review of school reports, prior assessments, and relevant documentation
- Comprehensive diagnostic formulation
- Detailed written report for your GP with findings and recommendations
Medicare Rebates Available
With a valid GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan, you may be eligible for Medicare rebates. Please check with Medicare for current rebate amounts.
Follow-up Consultations
If ongoing care is recommended, follow-up appointments are available at standard private psychiatry rates.
For current fees, please or reach out to us directly.
Ready to get started?
To book an appointment, ask your GP for a referral to Lionheart Clinic. Referrals are valid for 12 months and Medicare rebates apply. We also accept private bookings and NDIS participants.
Call Us
(02) 8552 7393Email Us
hello@lionheartclinic.com.au
Important: We Are NOT an Acute Crisis Service
Lionheart Clinic provides non-acute psychiatric assessment and ongoing care. If you, your child, or a young person you care for are experiencing any of the following, please seek immediate help:
•Active suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviours
•Acute psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, severely disorganised thinking)
•Severe eating disorders requiring medical stabilisation
•Substance intoxication or withdrawal requiring medical management
•Acute mania or severe mood instability posing safety risks
•Any situation where immediate safety is a concern
Need immediate help?
Emergency Services: 000
Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636