BMBS: Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Flinders)
DCH: Diploma in Child Health (Adelaide)
FRACGP: Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of General Practitioners
Dr Michaela Baulderstone is a General Practitioner with specific interests in paediatrics, developmental disability and mental health. Michaela has training and experience in child developmental screening and assessments (Griffiths 2010) and psychological medicine (Interpersonal Therapy, 2011). She completed Advanced Training in Clinical Hypnosis (2024) and is a Member of the South Australian Society for Hypnosis. (https://sash.asn.au/practitioners/listing/dr-michaela-baulderstone-gp)
Dr Baulderstone provides appointments for pre-diagnosis screening and initial management of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention & Hyperactivity (ADHD or ADD) and Learning challenges e.g. Dyslexia. She accepts GP referrals via a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) for Focussed Psychological Strategies. Where appropriate a Mental Health Care Plan referral is sought for children referred for the following concerns:
- Anxiety including generalised anxiety, separation anxiety, school refusal or behavioural disturbance, toileting avoidance & with-holding behaviours.
- Sleep Problems
- Enuresis
- Emotional and behavioural problems
- Depression
- Phobias
- Sleep problems
- Prolonged grief (longer than 6 months)
This will allow long appointments to access Focussed Psychological Strategies for these conditions. Where a child is experiencing behavioural or emotional concerns, and the GP assesses the child is not currently eligible for a MHCP, a standard referral letter will be accepted.
Dr Baulderstone uses the following management approaches tailored to individual patient needs:
- Psychoeducation
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Positive Behaviour Support, Behaviour modification, Exposure techniques
- Skills training: Problem solving, Emotional regulation skills
- Social skills, Communication training, Stress management
- Parenting strategies, including Emotion Coaching
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
- Hypnotherapy
Michaela has achieved the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Recognition of Extended Skills in Developmental Disability and Psychological Medicine (2023). She is an active member of the RACGP Specific Interest Groups for Child & Young Person Health, ADHD, ASD & Neurodiversity, Disability and Psychological Medicine.
