Specialist Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist in Auckland
We understand that children and adolescents can face mental health challenges that are very different from those of adults. As a highly experienced child psychiatrist, Dr Angelo Sivathasan is committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to the unique cognitive, emotional, and developmental needs of young people and their families.
Meet Our Specialist: Dr Angelo Sivathasan, MBBS, RANZCP
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Specialised paediatric psychiatrist dedicated to providing the highest standard of compassionate, evidence based care for children, adolescents and their families. He supports young people across a wide age range from early childhood through late adolescence and has extensive experience in managing complex presentations such as emotional dysregulation, mood and anxiety disorders, behavioural challenges and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including comprehensive assessment and ongoing management.
What Is Kids (Child & Adolescent) Psychiatry?
Child and adolescent psychiatry is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, evaluating, and treating mental health disorders in children and teenagers. A child psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who understands the biological, psychological, social, and developmental factors that influence a child’s mental well-being.
They assess not only symptoms but also how developmental stages, family dynamics, school, and social environments interact with a child’s emotional health.
Treatment options may include psychotherapy, medication, family therapy and sometimes a combined or integrative approach, depending on what’s best for the child.
Conditions Treated
Dr Angelo Sivathasan provides specialist care for a wide range of child and adolescent mental health concerns:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and mood disorders
- ADHD and behavioural regulation difficulties
- Emotional dysregulation
- Trauma, grief, and stress-related disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., ASD)
- Complex or co-occurring mental health conditions
How the Assessment Works
- Referral or Self-Referral: A GP, paediatrician, or parent can refer. TinyGiants also accepts self-referrals in some cases.
- Initial Evaluation: Dr Sivathasan will conduct a comprehensive assessment that may include history-taking, questionnaires, school/teacher input, and observation.
- Diagnosis & Formulation: He integrates biological, psychological, developmental, and social factors to arrive at an understanding of the child’s challenges.
- Treatment Planning: A bespoke plan is developed that may include psychotherapy, medication, family support, psychoeducation, and follow-up.
- Ongoing Management: Regular follow-ups to monitor progress, adjust treatment, and coordinate with other supports (such as schools or therapists).
Why Early Intervention Matters
Early psychiatric support can significantly alter a child’s developmental trajectory, helping to:
- Improve emotional regulation and coping skills
- Strengthen family relationships and communication
- Support school performance and social functioning
- Prevent escalation into more severe mental health conditions later in life
Child and adolescent psychiatrists bring medical training, developmental expertise, and therapeutic skills to create safe, evidence-based interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Dr Sivathasan takes a personalised approach, some children benefit from therapy alone, while others may need medication plus psychosocial support.
Initial assessments are more comprehensive, often requiring more time than follow-up sessions. During the evaluation, Dr Sivathasan gathers detailed history, assessment data, and discusses treatment options.
While many patients come with a GP referral, self-referral is accepted under certain circumstances. Check with TinyGiants for your options.
Yes. He collaborates with psychologists, educators, paediatricians, school staff, and families to ensure a coordinated treatment plan.
Why Trust TinyGiants for Kids Psychiatry
At TinyGiants, we specialise only in paediatric care – no adult medicine, just child-focused expertise.
Our multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, paediatricians, psychologists, dietitians, speech therapists) ensures that your child’s care is holistic, collaborative, and centred on what’s best for their development and well-being.