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.
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
Clinical Psychology Registrar
NHMRC Research Fellow
Clinical Psychologist and Project Manager for ParentWorks Spectrum
Adrienne Turnell
Clinical Psychologist and Senior Research Officer for ParentWorks Spectrum
Clinical Psychology Registrar and Research Assistant for the REAL Treatment Study
Clinical Psychology Registrar and Research Assistant for the REAL Treatment Study
Research Assistant for Watch Me Grow For REAL
Research Assistant for Watch Me Grow For REAL
Research Assistant for ParentWorks Spectrum
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
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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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