Care for teenagers & their families

Teenage Health

Teenagers benefit from a GP who takes them seriously and gives them room to speak for themselves. I look after young people through the in-between years - for period problems and skin, low mood and anxiety, tiredness, and the ordinary business of staying well - and I'm happy to see teenagers with a parent, to give them some time to speak with me privately where appropriate, or to do a bit of both.

Book an appointment Call (02) 9311 9311

In brief

Dr Amanda Henderson is a family GP (FRACGP) in Maroubra who cares for teenagers as part of general practice.
Common reasons to visit include periods, acne, low mood or anxiety, ongoing tiredness, and everyday health questions.
Part of a consultation can happen privately between the teenager and doctor - a normal part of adolescent care.
A GP can assess a concern, start treatment, and arrange a referral if a specialist or another service is needed.

What I can help a teenager with

Growing up and puberty

Questions about development, periods starting, height, weight or whether what's happening is normal. Often, once we've checked things over, the reassurance is the treatment, and knowing what to expect makes the rest easier.

Periods and reproductive health

Painful, heavy or irregular periods, period-related mood changes, and questions about contraception or sexual health as they become relevant. Most of this is straightforward to sort in general practice.

Skin, especially acne

Acne is common and very treatable, and starting sooner can reduce the risk of scarring and the impact on confidence, especially with moderate or severe acne. There is far more available than the products on the pharmacy shelf.

Mood, anxiety and stress

Low mood, worry and panic, school and social pressure, and the flat, worn-out feeling that often comes with them. A GP is a sensible - and confidential - first stop.

Sleep, energy and tiredness

Teenagers are often genuinely exhausted. Sometimes it is sleep and screens, sometimes low iron or thyroid, occasionally mood. It is worth checking rather than guessing.

Everyday health and prevention

Coughs, headaches, gut troubles, sports injuries, vaccinations and the occasional worrying symptom - the same everyday reasons any of us see a GP.

Reasons it might be worth booking

Periods are painful, heavy, irregular or getting in the way of school
Acne is bothering you and the pharmacy products aren't cutting it
You've felt low, anxious or not yourself for more than a couple of weeks
You're tired all the time and can't work out why
There's a question about your body you'd rather ask a doctor than the internet
A parent has noticed a change and you'd both like it looked at

What a first visit is like

A first visit is mostly conversation. I'll ask what's brought you in and how it's affecting your days, examine you if it's useful, and explain plainly what I think is going on and what the choices are. Some things are settled in one visit; others are worth trying something and reviewing. A parent can be involved in some or all of the consultation, depending on the young person's age, circumstances and preferences, and what is appropriate for their care. I will often offer teenagers some time to speak with me privately.

Seeing a doctor on your own for the first time can feel like a big step. In practice it's mostly a conversation. You don't need the medical words for what's going on, and the things that feel awkward to say out loud are usually the ones worth saying.

For parents, this is often the age when your role gradually shifts from speaking for your child to helping them speak for themselves. Parents remain an important part of adolescent healthcare, while young people gradually develop greater independence in managing their own health.

Privacy

What stays between the doctor and the patient

As young people get older, they usually take a more active role in their own healthcare. I will often offer a teenager some time to speak with me on their own. This is a routine part of adolescent healthcare and gives them an opportunity to ask questions or discuss things they may find difficult to talk about in front of someone else. Parents can still play an important and supportive role.

What a young person tells me is generally treated as private. There are limits to confidentiality, however. Sometimes I may need to share information if I am concerned about serious harm or safety, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law. Wherever appropriate, I will explain this to the young person and involve them in deciding how the information is shared.

There isn't one age at which every young person automatically becomes able to make every medical decision independently. For a young person under 18, whether they can consent to a particular treatment themselves depends on the circumstances and, where relevant, an assessment of their maturity and whether they sufficiently understand the proposed treatment, its purpose, risks, benefits, alternatives and possible consequences. This is sometimes called being a mature minor or Gillick competent. The assessment is specific to the particular healthcare decision being made.

Where a young person has the capacity to make the particular healthcare decision, they may be able to consent to treatment themselves. Where they do not, consent from a parent or guardian may be required. Even when a young person can consent themselves, I generally encourage appropriate family involvement where it is helpful and the young person is comfortable with it.

A note for parents

Bringing your teenager to a GP who takes them seriously - and gives them a little room - is one of the more useful things you can do for their long-term health. It's how young people learn that looking after themselves is normal and that a doctor is a safe person to talk to.

You're always welcome to raise what's worrying you, and to be as involved as suits your teenager's care.

Care is provided by Dr Amanda Henderson, a family GP (FRACGP) in Maroubra, who sees teenagers and families from across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

Common questions

What can a GP actually help a teenager with?

A great deal - periods and reproductive health, acne and other skin problems, low mood and anxiety, sleep and constant tiredness, headaches and gut troubles, vaccinations, sports injuries, and any new symptom that's worrying you. A GP can assess it, start treatment, and arrange tests or a referral when that's the right step.

Can my teenager see the GP without me in the room?

Yes, if that's what they'd like. A visit can include time together with a parent and some time one-to-one - I'll often offer a teenager a little time to speak with me privately. How privacy and involving parents work is explained in more detail on this page.

Does a parent have to come to the appointment?

For a first visit, anything complicated, or a younger teenager, it helps to have a parent there. An older teenager can also book and come on their own. Either way, they'll be listened to and taken seriously.

What happens at the first appointment?

Mostly talking. I'll ask what's going on and how it's affecting you, examine you only if it's relevant, explain what I think and lay out the options, and we'll agree the next step together. Nothing happens without it being explained first.

When would a GP involve another doctor or service?

General practice can handle many teenage health concerns from start to finish. When something calls for a paediatrician, a psychologist, a gynaecologist or another specialist, I'll say so, explain why, and help arrange it - you won't be left to sort it out alone.

Sources & further reading

Trusted Australian services for young people and parents. If something is urgent or you just need to talk, these are good places to start.

Explore also

Women's Health General GP Care Children's Health

Book for your teenager, or for yourself

Appointments can be made online through HotDoc, or call the practice. A young person is welcome to book on their own, or with a parent.