Lionheart Clinic

Child Psychiatrist

Manly Telehealth Services

RANZCP-qualified child psychiatrists providing psychiatric assessment and treatment for children and adolescents in Manly and Sydney northern beaches.

ADHD & Autism Assessments
Shorter Wait Times
Medicare Rebates Available
Book a ConsultationFree Screening Tools
Dr Joanna Blades, Perinatal and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at Lionheart Clinic

Healthcare Services in Manly and Northern Beaches

Manly and northern beaches families can access psychiatric services via Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick or local emergency departments for public system care. Local GP clinics in the Manly area provide general medical services and can coordinate mental health care plans. Lionheart Clinic works with local GPs to provide specialist psychiatric assessment and treatment via telehealth, supporting continuity of care for children and adolescents in the Manly area.

Common Reasons for Referral

Common reasons families in Manly seek our services

ADHD Assessment

Children experiencing difficulties with attention, concentration, organization, or impulsivity at school or home. Assessment includes clinical interview with parent and child, parent and teacher questionnaires, developmental history, and consideration of other possible explanations for attention difficulties.

Anxiety Difficulties

Children experiencing excessive worry, school avoidance, social anxiety, panic symptoms, separation difficulties, or physical symptoms related to anxiety. Assessment explores specific anxiety presentations, impact on daily functioning, and considers appropriate treatment approaches including psychological strategies and medication when appropriate.

Low Mood and Depression

Young people experiencing persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal, or thoughts of self-harm. Assessment includes evaluation of mood symptoms, safety considerations, and contributing factors. Coordination with school and GP is important for supporting young people with depression.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Children with social communication differences, restricted interests, sensory sensitivities, or difficulties with social situations. Assessment explores developmental history, current functioning across different settings including school and home, and considers whether diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder are met.

School Refusal and School-Related Difficulties

Children experiencing significant difficulty attending school due to anxiety, separation difficulties, social concerns, or other factors. Assessment considers underlying causes and appropriate interventions, which may include work with school, psychological strategies, and medication when appropriate.

Swipe left or right to explore

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 Screening

Meet Dr Joanna Blades

Dr Joanna Blades is one of our RANZCP-qualified child and adolescent psychiatrists, supporting Manly families via secure telehealth across Australia.

Dr. Joanna Blades, Perinatal and Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist at Lionheart Clinic

How to Get Started

Simple steps to access specialist care

1

Free Screening

2

Get a Referral

3

Book Online

4

Assessment

Start Free Screening

What We Specialize In

Evidence-based assessment and diagnosis for children and adolescents

ADHD Assessment & Management

Comprehensive assessment using Vanderbilt scales (children) or ASRS (adults). Diagnosis, medication management, and ongoing support for inattentive, hyperactive, or combined presentations.

Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment

Comprehensive autism assessment using validated tools (ADOS-2 and ADI-R). Reports suitable for NDIS, schools, and early intervention programs. Diagnostic clarity for social communication and repetitive behavior concerns.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety (GAD), social anxiety, separation anxiety, and panic disorder. Evidence-based treatment combining therapy and medication when appropriate. Not suitable for acute panic attacks requiring immediate intervention.

Mood Disorders

Depression, dysthymia, and mood dysregulation in children, adolescents, and adults. PHQ-9 screening, diagnostic assessment, and treatment planning. Not suitable for acute suicidal ideation (refer to emergency services).

School Refusal & Behavioural Concerns

Assessment of school avoidance, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct concerns. Collaborative care with schools and families.

Trauma & PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder assessment using PCL-5 screening tool. Trauma-informed care for children and adolescents with adverse childhood experiences. Not suitable for acute crisis or complex dissociative disorders.

Perinatal Mental Health

Specialist psychiatric care for women during pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting. Assessment and management of antenatal and postnatal depression, perinatal anxiety, and postpartum OCD. Seen by Dr Joanna Blades, who has subspecialty interest in perinatal psychiatry from pre-conception through twelve months postpartum.

Swipe left or right to explore

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from families in Manly

Yes. We provide telehealth child and adolescent psychiatry services to families throughout Sydney, including Manly and the broader northern beaches area. Our services are available across New South Wales and Australia via telehealth.

Yes. With your written consent, we can communicate with school staff including school counsellors and learning support coordinators. We can provide psychiatric assessment reports that schools may use for learning support planning or special consideration applications. We work with schools throughout the Manly and northern beaches area.

Appointments are conducted via secure video platform meeting Australian healthcare privacy standards. You attend from your home or another private location in Manly or surrounding areas. The psychiatric assessment process is the same as in-person consultations, including clinical interview, mental state examination, and diagnostic formulation.

Questions about fees, referrals or medication? See our general FAQ

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
GP Referral Information

How to Refer

  1. 1Complete a Mental Health Treatment Plan for your patient
  2. 2Write a referral letter with relevant history
  3. 3Patient books online or via our referral form
  4. 4We send you a detailed report after assessment

Local GP practices

Families in Manly commonly obtain referrals from practices such as South Steyne Medical Centre, Manly Village Medical Practice, Darley Road Medical Centre, East Esplanade Medical Centre, Sydney Road Medical Practice.

Any GP anywhere in Australia can refer. Lionheart Clinic is independent of the practices listed.

Questions about referring? Contact us at hello@lionheartclinic.com.au

Telehealth for Manly Families

Access specialist psychiatric care without leaving home

  • No travel during peak hours
  • No parking challenges at medical centres
  • Appointments available after school or during school hours
  • Children often more comfortable at home than clinical waiting rooms
  • Parents can attend from work or home
  • Easy coordination with local Manly GPs

Investment in Your Child's Wellbeing

Clear pricing for initial psychiatric assessment

Initial Psychiatric Assessment

A comprehensive 1.5 hour clinical consultation including:

  • Detailed interview with parent/carer and child (1.5 hours total)
  • Review of school reports, previous assessments, and relevant documentation
  • Comprehensive diagnostic assessment
  • Detailed written report for your GP with assessment 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.

Child psychiatry services for Manly

Child Psychiatry Services for Manly Families

Manly and the northern beaches area include families from local schools. Lionheart Clinic provides telehealth child and adolescent psychiatry services for families throughout Manly and surrounding northern beaches suburbs.

Accessing child and adolescent psychiatry services in Sydney can involve extended waiting periods through both public and private systems. Lionheart Clinic provides telehealth psychiatric assessment and treatment, allowing families to access specialist care from home.

Our RANZCP-qualified psychiatrists conduct psychiatric assessments for conditions including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, autism spectrum disorder, and school-related difficulties. Telehealth appointments are conducted via secure video platform from your Manly home, with coordination with your local GP and school as appropriate.

Also serving families in:

QueenscliffFairlightManly ValeBalgowlahSeaforthCurl CurlDee WhyBrookvale
Learn About Our Approach

School Collaboration in Manly

ADHD and autism assessments include teacher questionnaires and a review of school reports. With your consent, our psychiatrists work alongside your child's school throughout assessment and treatment. Families we support in Manly often attend schools such as:

  • Manly Village Public School
  • St Mary's Catholic Primary School Manly
  • NBSC Manly Selective Campus
  • St Paul's Catholic College
  • Manly West Public School
  • Balgowlah Heights Public School
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College
  • Stella Maris College

Schools are listed for local reference only. Lionheart Clinic is an independent telehealth practice and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any school.

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.

Paediatric mental health - parent and child wellness support

Important: We Are NOT an Acute Crisis Service

Lionheart Clinic provides non-acute psychiatric assessments and ongoing care. If your child or you are experiencing any of the following, please seek immediate help:

•Active suicidal thoughts or self-harm behaviors
•Acute psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, severely disorganized thinking)
•Severe eating disorders requiring medical stabilization
•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

Last updated: