Child Psychologist in Pymble
Specialist psychological support for children and teenagers in Pymble and the Upper North Shore. Working with young people and families to navigate anxiety, ADHD, and the pressures of growing up.
Specialist Child & Adolescent Psychologists
AHPRA-Registered
Medicare Rebates Available
In-Person in Pymble & Online
For an overview of all services at our Pymble clinic, including adult psychology, visit our psychologist in Pymble clinic page.
When something is not right with your child, the uncertainty can be as difficult as the problem itself. Not knowing whether what you are seeing is a phase, a sign of something deeper, or somewhere in between and not knowing who to turn to is one of the most common things parents tell us when they first get in touch.
At Cadence Psychology, our Pymble child psychologists work with children, teenagers, and their families to provide that clarity and to create the kind of practical, sustainable change that shows up at home, at school, and in everyday life.
We work with children and adolescents from Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Turramurra, and across the Ku-ring-gai area. Sessions are available in person at our Pymble clinic and via telehealth.
When to Consider Seeing a Child Psychologist in Pymble
Parents often reach out after noticing a pattern that isn’t resolving on its own. Some of the most common signs include:
- Persistent anxiety, worry, or fear that seems disproportionate or is limiting what your child will do
- Reluctance or outright refusal to attend school
- Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or significant difficulty managing frustration
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
- Significant changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
- Struggles with focus, organisation, or self-regulation that are affecting school performance
- Repetitive behaviours, rigid routines, or social difficulties that are causing distress
- Confidence and self-esteem concerns that are affecting daily life
If you are unsure whether what you are seeing warrants an appointment, contact our intake team. Early support is almost always more effective than waiting.
Here's How We Support Your Child
We structure our sessions carefully to ensure clarity and success for you and your child, ensuring there are no surprises for anyone.
1. Book Directly Or Request a Free 10-Minute Intake Call
We know you’re busy, so we let parents who are ready to go book with us directly. For parents who want a little more information you can book in a brief intake call with Elizabeth to answer any questions you may have.
2. Initial Parent Consultation
Your first session will actually be just yourself and Elizabeth. We like to meet parents first so we can get the full context of what’s going on and discuss any concerns before we set some practical therapy goals.
3. Child Sessions Begin
Therapy starts with gentle, engaging sessions that help your child open up and build trust. If you’re not in the room with us, we’ll find time at the end of each session to feed back the important information.
4. Review And Support
We monitor progress together and adjust the approach as needed. Therapy is not a set and forget process. As we learn more about your child we’ll be ready to pivot to new approaches to give them the best chance of success.
What Individual Therapy Looks Like for Children & Teens
Many parents and young people feel a little unsure about what happens in a therapy session. At Cadence Psychology, we create a comfortable and engaging environment tailored to your child’s age and personality.
For younger children, therapy often involves play-based and creative activities to help them communicate feelings they can’t yet put into words. With teens, sessions are more conversational, focusing on building coping skills, exploring identity, and understanding their unique world. Our goal is always to create a space where your child feels safe, heard, and understood, working at their own pace.
Our Commitment to Confidentiality & Safety
Creating a safe and confidential space for your child is our highest priority. We adhere strictly to ethical guidelines regarding privacy, ensuring your child feels secure in sharing their thoughts and feelings. We’ll always discuss with you how we share progress and insights, maintaining open communication while respecting your child’s therapeutic journey within professional boundaries. Our clinic environment is designed to be a physically and emotionally secure place for all our young clients.
Meet Your Pymble Child Psychologist
Elizabeth Giles - Principal Child Psychologist
Elizabeth has a calm, supportive approach grounded in over 20 years of dedicated experience working with children and teens. With advanced training in child development, anxiety, behavior, and mood disorders, she brings both clinical insight and a down-to-earth style that puts young people at ease. As a registered psychologist, she adheres to the highest professional standards.
“My goal is to give families clarity and confidence. Therapy shouldn’t feel like guesswork – it should feel like a plan.”
Challenges Our Child & Teen Psychologists Commonly Help With
Our child psychologists work with children and teens experiencing:
- Anxiety, fear of failure, or perfectionism
- School refusal and learning-related stress
- Low mood, emotional shutdown or irritability
- Friendship issues and difficulty connecting with peers
- Behavioural challenges and excessive tantrums
- Neurodivergence, including ADHD and Autism-related challenges
- Life changes such as family separation or health issues
We help children and teens from all walks of life, including those in local schools across the North Shore. Whether your child is in a high-performing academic environment or finding it tough to fit in socially, we tailor our care to meet their unique needs.
Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Support
Parenting often feels like guesswork, and it can be hard to know when everyday challenges become something more. If you’ve noticed any of these shifts, it doesn’t mean something is ‘wrong’ with your child, but rather that they might benefit from a little extra support to navigate their world:
- Increased worry, irritability, or mood swings that last more than a few days
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns (e.g., difficulty falling asleep, frequent nightmares)
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed
- Frequent meltdowns or explosive anger disproportionate to the situation
- Difficulty concentrating at school or at home, leading to frustration
- Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or self-critical thoughts
- Avoidance of school or social situations
- New or increased physical complaints with no clear medical cause (e.g., stomach aches, headaches)
- Struggling to cope with big feelings like frustration, sadness, or anger
Why Early Intervention Matters
Just like physical health, mental health benefits immensely from early support. Addressing challenges during childhood or adolescence equips young people with vital tools and strategies that can serve them throughout their lives, fostering greater resilience and well-being as they grow. Early intervention can lead to:
- Developing strong coping skills for future challenges
- Improved academic performance and enjoyment of learning
- Healthier relationships with peers and family
- Greater emotional regulation and self-awareness
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
- A more calm home environment
Take Your First Steps Today
If you’re ready to book a session then you can jump right in and book with us directly online. Click on the button below to get started.
Want To Find Out More First?
If you’d like to have a chat before making your appointment, please complete the form below to book a free 10-minute intake call with our child psychologist Elizabeth Giles and she’ll get back to you at your selected time.
Our Location – Easy Access from Across the North Shore
Our Pymble clinic is located just minutes from the train station at Level 1, Suite 18/895 Pacific Hwy, Pymble NSW 2073 with convenient parking, making it simple to get to from surrounding suburbs like:
- Gordon
- Killara
- Turramurra
- Wahroonga
- Roseville
We work with children from a wide range of schools; from large local public schools to private schools such as Knox Grammar, PLC, Brigidine, Ravenswood and more, making appointments convenient for your child’s schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need a referral?
You don’t need a referral to book an appointment. If you do have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, Medicare rebates may apply.
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Will my child need to talk about everything in the first session?
No. We take things at your child’s pace, starting with gentle conversations and activities to help them feel comfortable. Building trust is key, and that often takes time.
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Can I be involved in sessions?
Yes. Parent involvement (through initial consultations, check-ins, and ongoing discussions about progress and strategies) is a key part of our process, and we’ll always keep you in the loop while respecting your child’s privacy.
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What if I’m not sure what the problem is?
That’s completely okay. Many families come to us with general concerns or a feeling that something isn't quite right. Our job is to help uncover what’s going on and how to effectively move forward.