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Child Behaviour Research Clinic

Bringing together internationally regarded clinicians and researchers in child mental health and development
The Child Behaviour Research Clinic works with children who present a range of behavioural, emotional and social development concerns. Based on research and new treatments, the clinic works alongside parents to deliver the most effective outcomes for families.

About the clinic

We offer assessments and treatments free of charge as part of innovative research into child and family mental health. As we are a research-based clinic, all of our treatments are advanced, evidence-based programs that offer families the latest strategies in child behaviour management. Families are considered research partners and we work collaboratively as a team to maximise learning about what works best for children and caregivers to address behavioural and emotional difficulties, We also offer training internships for clinical psychologists wishing to learn the latest state-of-the-art assessments and treatment as part of their masters or doctoral training.

Our Services

Innovative research

Our psychologists are continually studying ways to improve child behaviour problems. We run research projects with the brightest minds from the University of Sydney and beyond to develop innovative new treatments. Learn more about our research and currently recruiting research studies below.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

  • Child is between 2 and 8 years 11 months
  • Main concern is child oppositional behaviour, anger, aggression, and conduct problems
  • Parents and child are able to attend the clinic in Sydney on multiple assessment dates
  • Parents are willing to complete and provide their data for research purposes
  • Parents are happy to participate in a parent-focused treatment
  • Parents can read and understand English
  • Child does not have an intellectual disability/brain injury
  • Parents do not have acute/severe psychiatric disorder (e.g. psychosis) or drug dependence
  • Child does not have severe Autism or other developmental problems
  • The child’s wellbeing and caregiving are not the subject of ongoing legal matters.
  • Child is between 2 and 5 years 11 months
  • Main concern is child behavioural and emotional problems associated with diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (Level 2 or 3)
  • Family does not have acute/severe parental mental health problems (e.g. psychosis), substance use or domestic violence
  • Parents are willing to complete and provide their data for research purposes
  • Parents are happy to participate in a parent-focused treatment
  • Family is not currently participating in another parenting intervention/research trial
  • Parents are able to commit to a 12-session program
  • Parents are comfortable completing questionnaires and treatment sessions in English
  • There are no planned medication changes for the child through the duration of treatment
  • The child does not have a severe comorbid developmental delay (DQ< 35)
  • The child does not have any major medical disorder (e.g., cerebral palsy) or significant vision, hearing or motor impairments that impact the parent's ability to attend weekly sessions or the child's involvement in the program
  • Parents and child are able to attend sessions delivered online and have access to high-speed internet via computer or tablet
  • Parents and child are able to attend sessions delivered online and have access to high-speed internet via computer or tablet
  • Child is between 2 and 8 years 11 months.
  • Parents are older than 18 years of age.
  • Main concern is assistance managing child behaviour problems, such as oppositional behaviour, anger, aggression and tantrums.
  • Parents have reliable access to high-speed internet via a mobile device, tablet, laptop, or computer.
  • Parents are fluent in English or comfortable completing a self-directed program in English (program contains both written and audio components).
  • Parents are willing to complete and provide their data for research purposes.
  • Parents are happy to participate in a parent-focused treatment.
  • Child is not currently receiving medication for emotional/behavioural problems.
  • Child does not have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or other developmental difficulties.
  • Child lives with participating parent at least 50% of the time.
  • Family is not currently participating, or planning to participate, in another parenting intervention/research trial or treatment by a psychologist.
  • Family does not have acute/severe parental mental health problems (e.g. psychosis) or drug dependence.
  • The child’s wellbeing and caregiving are not the subject of ongoing legal matters.

Participate in a study

We are providing free parent focussed treatment for two-to-eight-year-old children with disruptive behaviour problems and we are examining how parenting can impact the risk for ongoing mental health problems in children, and the role of epigenetics. This project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council from 2017 to 2021.

To participate in any of our studies, please register or contact us to find out more.

We are currently evaluating a new integrated treatment for young children with autism that focusses on helping empower parents to manage child behavioural difficulties, promote positive parent-child interactions to help children develop social, communication and emotional regulation skills, and provide skills for parents to look after their own wellbeing and support parental teamwork. 

To participate in any of our studies, please register or contact us to find out more.

Growing Minds Australia is a collaborative formed across Australia for people with expertise and interest in research and clinical trials for child and youth mental health. Growing Minds Australia brings together clinicians, researchers, consumer groups and representatives, policy makers, professional associations and funders. A key focus for Growing Minds Australia is the development of Australia's first clinical trials network for child and youth mental health.

For more information please visit the Growing Minds website

We are currently evaluating a new, self-directed, online parenting program for parents of children aged 2- to 8-years and 11 months, that provides evidence-based strategies to manage challenging child-behaviour, promote positive parent-child interactions, and support parental teamwork.

To find out more about participating in this study, please contact us to find out more.

Our Team

Professor Mark Dadds
Clinical Psychologist

Chief Investigator & Clinic Co-Director

NHMRC Principle Research Fellow

Director, Growing Minds Australia

Associate Professor David Hawes

Clinical Psychologist

Chief Investigator & Clinic Co-Director

Director, Clinical Trials Network in Child & Youth Mental Health, Growing Minds Australia

Dr Meryn Lechowicz 
Clinical Psychologist

Clinic Manager, Senior Psychologist and Project Manager for the REAL Treatment Study

Ms Alex Roach
Clinical Psychologist/Clinic Manager and Project Manager for the REAL Treatment Study, PhD Candidate

Dr Lucy Tully 
Senior Lecturer in Child Psychology and Senior Psychologist

Flagship Trials Director, Growing Minds Australia

Dr Jaimie Northam
Lecturer and Senior Clinical Psychologist

Growing Minds Check Up Australia

Dr Caitlin Cowan

Clinical Psychology Registrar

NHMRC Research Fellow

Dr Bridie Leonard 

Clinical Psychologist and Project Manager for ParentWorks Spectrum

Adrienne Turnell
Clinical Psychologist and Senior Research Officer for ParentWorks Spectrum

Lindsay McFarlane

Clinical Psychology Registrar and Research Assistant for the REAL Treatment Study

Hayley Donohue

Clinical Psychology Registrar and Research Assistant for the REAL Treatment Study

Sinia Sareen

Research Assistant for Watch Me Grow For REAL

Bronte Morgan

Research Assistant for Watch Me Grow For REAL

Erika Moelle

Research Assistant for ParentWorks Spectrum

Shona Brinley

Research Assistant for Growing Minds Check Up Australia

  • Alex Roach
  • Elpiniki Andrews
  • Janice Tang
  • Rebecca McLean-Chan
  • Hannah Woodbridge

Child Behaviour Research Clinic

Clinic and Research Participation
Address
  • Level 1, Building K, Brain and Mind Centre 97 Church Street Camperdown NSW 2050

Professor Mark Dadds

Co-Director, Child Behaviour Research Clinic

Associate Professor David Hawes

Co-Director, Child Behaviour Research Clinic

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