Sarah Castle

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
MBBS MRCPsych BSc

Kinder Minds is the vision of founder Dr. Sarah Castle, a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. Before making Northland her home she trained in the United Kingdom and has since worked for Te Whatu Ora/Northland DHB providing clinical leadership of the Northland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Sarah focuses on a compassionate approach to understand each young person’s unique experiences and challenges. She has special interests in the diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, as well as additional training in treatment of Trauma in Young People.

Neve is our therapy dog, click to meet her.

Kinder Minds is proud to be an ACC Contracted Provider

We are able to offer CPSA psychiatric services via ACC for eligible individuals, please get in touch for referrals or enquiries.

How We Can Help

We can help you with assessments of most psychiatric and psychological conditions, including (but not limited to):

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for all ages

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for all ages

Trauma and Attachment Challenges

Psychiatric Medication Review and Management

Self-Harm

Eating Disorders

Mood and Behavioural Disorders

Kinder Minds uses our expertise in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry together with our knowledge of managing a spectrum of mental health issues to provide quality care. From the simple to the complex, our service provides a safe haven where Young People feel understood, respected and supported. Our care is professional, deeply empathic and personalised. Whether it’s navigating the intricacies of ADHD, ASD or overcoming the effects of trauma, we are here to help young minds heal.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us with your enquiries and referrals:
: 127A Dent Street, Whangarei 0110, New Zealand
: info@kinderminds.nz
: 022 360 5027

What We Offer

Many of our services can be available via telehealth, please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

Comprehensive Autism Assessment

Comprehensive assessment of ASD for all ages (young people and adults).

This involves a psychiatric assessment, developmental history and completion of ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Schedule) for Autism by two clinicians. Feedback meeting is then arranged with family to discuss next steps.

Assessment duration: minimum 3 appointments.

Cost: $2,500 inc GST

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

Comprehensive assessment and treatment for ADHD for all ages (young people and adults).

This involves a psychiatric assessment, developmental history and completion of Connors-4 assessment tool.

Cost:

$950 inc GST for < 18 years old.
$1,400 inc GST for > 18 years old.

Psychiatric Assessment

A one-session comprehensive psychiatric assessment to investigate and diagnose potential mental disorders or injuries of children and young people. A report will be written and available two weeks after the appointment.

Assessment duration: 1½ hours.

Cost: $650 inc GST

Psychiatric Medication Consultation

Medication can be considered and prescribed if appropriate (Including special authority medications). Ongoing follow up and review can be provided.

Assessment duration: 1 hour.

Cost: $500 inc GST

Post-Diagnostic Support

Post-diagnostic support for families and Young People, following ADHD and/or ASD Diagnosis on 1:1 and group basis, tailoring interventions and advice to individuals, families and schools.

Assessment duration: tailored and can be discussed.

Cost: $500 inc GST per hour

Therapeutic Interventions

We can offer a range of therapeutic options including talking therapies and onward referral to other professionals if required. These include:

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) for Adolescents
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Including Trauma Focused CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Family Based Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa. (FBT-AN)

Assessment duration: tailored and can be discussed.

Cost: dependent on intervention.

Prescriptions

All our medication consultations will come with free issuing of prescriptions.

Any requests made outside of the care plans relating to these will be charged a flat fee for issuing any needed script(s).

Cost: $35 inc GST

Our Approach

At Kinder Minds, our approach to mental health care for young people is deeply rooted in compassion, expertise, and a commitment to transformative healing. Under the leadership of Sarah, our medical director, we offer a sanctuary for children and adolescents grappling with a range of mental health challenges. We strive to make every young person feel understood, respected, and supported, as we navigate the intricacies of their mental health with them.

Our clinic's philosophy is centered on a compassionate understanding of the unique experiences and challenges faced by young people, and our mission is to transform their lives by delving into their inner world, empowering them with the tools they need to revover and build lasting resilience.

Thanks to Sarah's extensive training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, with specialised knowledge in trauma and neurodiversity (including Autism and ADHD), we are able to offer holistic and innovative interventions capable of addressing a wide range of mental health challenges to positively impact the lives of young people.

Our Mission

Here at Kinder Minds we are dedicated to providing exceptional mental health care and supporting families through their healing journey, focusing on the unique needs of each young person we serve.

Our aim is not just to treat but to transform the lives of children and adolescents by understanding their inner world and empowering them with the tools they need for recovery and resilience. Kinder Minds strives to be a safe haven of hope and healing, ready to support the mental health journey of young people and their families.

Who We Are

Kinder Minds is founded by Dr. Sarah Castle, a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist serving as the medical director, and Edoardo Giorgi with his rich scientific background serving as its administrative director. This partnership is the cornerstone of our clinic, dedicated to providing exceptional mental health care and supporting families through their healing journey by focusing on the unique needs of each young person we serve.

At the core of our clinic's mission is Sarah, whose deep passion and extensive training in psychiatry form the backbone of Kinder Minds' therapeutic approach. Her philosophy centres on understanding the intricate worlds of young people, fostering an environment where their concerns, dreams, and challenges are met with empathy and expert care.

Edoardo, transitioning from nuclear science to lead Kinder Minds' operations, blends his technical & scientific knowledge with compassionate oversight. He ensures that our clinic actively supports the therapeutic process, making every family's journey with us feel informed, supported, and valued.

Growing Kinder Minds

Kinder Minds is a multi-disciplinary service that strives to deliver the best possible comprehensive care for the children, adolescents, and families we serve.

If you are interested in being a part of our team please get in touch with us via our contact page.

The Kinder Minds Team

The Kinder Minds team is led by its founding members, Dr. Sarah Castle, as its Medical Director, and Edoardo Giorgi, as its Administrative Director.

We strive to deliver the best care possible to the families and young people of Northland and New Zealand. Our model is based on a multi-disciplinary approach to care as this is the most effective way to achive the best possible outcomes for the young minds we serve.

As Kinder Minds grows so too will our team to accommodate the needs of the whanau that come to us for help. If you are a professional who is interested in joining please get in touch with us.

Sarah Castle

Dr. Sarah Castle is at the heart of Kinder Minds' approach and commitment to helping young people and their families overcome the mental health challenges they face. Sarah brings a wealth of psychiatric and therapeutic expertise gained through her extensive training. Sarah held the position of Clinical Head of Department for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Early intervention in Psychosis, Maternal Infant Mental Health and Forensic CAMHS Services, in Te Tai Tokerau DHB across Northland.

Alongside formal clinical training, Sarah is passionate about working alongside families and Young People, to understand their inner world, concerns, worries, fantasies and dreams matter by giving them a voice. She often tries to work creativity and works outside of a one size fits all approach, to connect with ‘hard to reach’ children and young people.

Sarah has a keen interest in the assessment and treatment of trauma and neurodiversity, including ASD and ADHD. Her expertise is broadened by additional training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Mentalization Based Therapy for Adolescents, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for trauma, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and other talking therapies. Sarah is particularly skilled in supporting young people through the diagnostic process, including ADOS-II, and offering interventions that benefit them and their family’s post-diagnosis, demonstrating her comprehensive approach to mental health care.

Medical Training

Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
- MBBS Medicine.
University College London, United Kingdom
- Intercalated International Health with Medical Anthropology
Maudsley Hospital (South London) & University College London
- Core Psychiatric Training
Tavistock Clinic North London, United Kingdom
- Higher Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
- Additional training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists.

Therapeutic & Assessment Modalities Offered

Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-II)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT) for Adolescents
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Trauma
Dialectical Bevioural Therapy (DBT)
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Edoardo Giorgi

Edoardo fulfills the technical and administrative role of making sure Kinder Minds runs as smoothly as possible, and that the team has everything it needs to deliver on our mission to help young people and their families.

Edoardo beings a multitude of skills picked up along his squiggly career from being a Nuclear Scientist to being a Science Communicator and Technical Writer. Being a patient and calm individual with an exceptional eye for detail you can expect him to ensure the families and young people we care for receive all the support needed to remain up to date with treatment plans and appointments.

Neve

Neve is our wonderful, loving, and gentle dog who helps us ground our patients who like animals. At the time of Kinder Minds opening its doors she was still a puppy growing and excited to meet her first young people needing cuddles.

If you ask nicely Neve knows a lot of little tricks she'd be happy to do in exchange for treats, cuddles, and a moment of adoration.

Sarah Castle

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist MBBS MRCPsych BSc

Kinder Minds is proud to be an ACC Contracted Provider

How We Can Help

We can help you with assessments of most psychiatric and psychological conditions, including (but not limited to):

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for all ages Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for all ages Trauma and Attachment Challenges Psychiatric Medication Review and Management Self-Harm Eating Disorders Mood and Behavioural Disorders

Contact Us

What We Offer

Many of our services can be available via telehealth, please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.

Comprehensive Autism Assessment

Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

Psychiatric Assessment

Psychiatric Medication Consultation

Post-Diagnostic Support

Therapeutic Interventions

Prescriptions

Our Approach

Our Mission

Who We Are

Growing Kinder Minds

The Kinder Minds Team

Sarah Castle

Medical Training

Therapeutic & Assessment Modalities Offered

Edoardo Giorgi

Neve

Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
MBBS MRCPsych BSc

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) for all ages

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) for all ages

Trauma and Attachment Challenges

Psychiatric Medication Review and Management

Self-Harm

Eating Disorders

Mood and Behavioural Disorders