Often, particularly with children and adolescents, the first sign of potential mental health challenges is the feeling from parents, others and often the individual themselves that "something is not quite right......." 

Early diagnosis, intervention and implementation of support and coping strategies is critical to allow functioning to the best potential in the wider community.

With over 20 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist in Private and Public Mental Health settings, Dr Sian Dines is able to draw upon a broad and deep experience to provide a quality and effective service to clients experiencing, or experiencing early onset of, mental health issues. 

Sian managed the Hunter New England Mental Health Psychological Assistance Service (PAS) in Newcastle, NSW in the mid 2000's.  Linked with the James Fletcher Mental Health unit, PAS work closely with Psychiatrists, Pediatricians and other medical professionals in the assessment, treatment and ongoing support of clients experiencing severe mental health challenges across a wide range of diagnosis.

Prior to this, Sian created and operated a job rehabilitation programme to support those experiencing mental health issues re-entering the workplace via a supported and commercially operated catering unit supported by the James Fletcher Mental Health unit in Newcastle.   This led to a secondment to a private job rehabilitation service in Newcastle, creating a commercial support unit for clients with mental health challenges to gain and retain meaningful and main stream employment : self sufficiency for one of the most vulnerable and misunderstood segments of our community.

From 2008 until the move with her family to the Sunshine Coast in 2012, Sian worked with Educare, a private Newcastle NSW based service,  focusing on providing mental health services for children and adolescents experiencing symptoms of  anxiety, depression, ADHD, Autism and other developmental disorders.

During this time Sian gained first hand experience in real life cases of those faced with mental health challenges across many ages and demographics, developing strategies that have continued to  deliver results today.  Those experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, depression, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), anxiety and other mental health challenges rarely fit a standard profile : everyone has a different life experience and circumstance requiring an individual and personalised approach delivered within clinical guidelines and proven strategies.  Treatment  often is in conjunction with medical support via Psychiatrists, Pediatricians and General Practitioners.

Sians Clinical Doctorate thesis "Neuropsychological profiles of young people at high risk of developing schizophrenia, August 2008" was the result of many years of clinical research during her time at Hunter New England Health, and remains a relevant and important research document for those at risk of developing Schizophrenia and identifying early onset of other major mental illness.