Child behaviour research clinic

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

REAL Treatment-Epigenetics Project: Treatment of child behaviour and emotional problems

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.

ParentWorks Spectrum: An integrated parenting program for children with autism

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

Participate in a study

REAL Treatment-Epigenetics Project

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.

ParentWorks Spectrum Program

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

Growing Minds Australia Clinical Trials Network (GMA-CTN) is the first comprehensive CTN in child and adolescent mental health in Australia. Funded by the Million Minds Medical Research Future Fund in 2021, the GMA-CTN aims to transform the Australian mental health landscape for children and young people and their families. As a Clinical Trial Network, the primary mechanism for achieving this is through high quality, collaborative, transformative research in child and youth mental health, and its translation into policy and practice.

Please contact us to learn more about how you can be involved in Growing Minds Australia.