Dr Linda Janine Kelly – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Linda Janine Kelly – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dr Linda Janine Kelly is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Akeso Kenilworth Clinic in Kenilworth, Cape Town. She earned her MBChB from the University of Cape Town, then completed her internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Subsequently, she trained in psychiatry at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she developed expertise in paediatric mental health. Moreover, Dr Kelly served as Consultant Psychiatrist and Head of the Psychotherapy Inpatient Unit at Tara H. Moross Hospital until 2002, overseeing both assessment and treatment of severe child and adolescent disorders.

Since joining Akeso Kenilworth, she has tailored her practice to younger patients. Therefore, she leads comprehensive assessments, diagnosing behavioural and emotional conditions within a structured, child-friendly setting. Her approach blends evidence-based interventions with genuine empathy. Consequently, children and families engage fully in their treatment plans.

The clinic features state-of-the-art play therapy rooms, secure telepsychiatry platforms, and a 24-hour nursing team. Additionally, Akeso Kenilworth’s multidisciplinary staff—including psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists—collaborates under her guidance. This team delivers holistic care that addresses biological, psychological, and social dimensions of young patients’ lives.

Services

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders: ADHD; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Learning Disorders

• Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder; Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia); Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

• Anxiety Disorders: Separation Anxiety Disorder; Specific Phobias; Social Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Agoraphobia; Generalised Anxiety Disorder

• Trauma- & Stressor-Related Disorders: Acute Stress Disorder; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Adjustment Disorders

• Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Body Dysmorphic Disorder; Hoarding Disorder; Trichotillomania; Skin-Picking Disorder

• Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa; Binge-Eating Disorder

• Sleep-Wake Disorders: Insomnia Disorder; Hypersomnolence Disorder; Narcolepsy; Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorder; Parasomnias

• Behavioural Disorders: Oppositional Defiant Disorder; Conduct Disorder

• Gender Dysphoria / Gender Incongruence

• Substance-Related Disorders

• Neurocognitive Disorders / Dementia

Each service runs within Akeso Kenilworth’s therapeutic framework. Importantly, Dr Kelly customises interventions to match young patients’ developmental stage and family context.

Additional Information

Dr Kelly pursues ongoing professional development, regularly attending child psychiatry conferences. Moreover, she mentors registrars through Akeso’s in-house training programme. Consequently, she stays at the forefront of innovative treatment models.

Parents praise her straightforward, compassionate style. They note that she explains complex concepts clearly, which builds trust and improves adherence. Furthermore, she hosts quarterly family-centred workshops to educate caregivers on relapse prevention and coping strategies.

To maximise access, Dr Kelly offers secure telehealth consultations for follow-up appointments. Additionally, Akeso Kenilworth uses electronic medical records to ensure seamless care coordination. Therefore, patients and their families benefit from consistent communication and timely adjustments to treatment.

Schedule a consultation today to help your child thrive in a supportive, expert-led environment.