Dr Merryn Young – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – Kenilworth

Dr Merryn Young – Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – Kenilworth

Dr Merryn Elizabeth Young is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Akeso Kenilworth Clinic in Kenilworth, Cape Town. She earned her MBChB from the University of Pretoria, then completed her internship and community service in rural Limpopo. Subsequently, she served as a Medical Officer in both psychiatry and paediatrics across Limpopo and Johannesburg.

After relocating to Cape Town, Dr Young trained in psychiatry at the University of Cape Town. Moreover, she completed a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, focusing on developmental trauma and early intervention. Her fellowship work informs the clinic’s age-appropriate assessment protocols.

Furthermore, Dr Young supports the UCT Student Wellness Service in a sessional capacity and remains active at Valkenberg Hospital, where she conducts juvenile criminal capacity assessments for the Department of Justice. Consequently, she brings both clinical and forensic expertise to her role at Akeso Kenilworth Clinic.

The clinic itself features private consultation suites, secure telepsychiatry platforms, and dedicated play therapy rooms. In addition, its multidisciplinary team—including psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists—collaborates under her leadership to deliver holistic, family-centred care.

Services

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

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

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

• Bipolar & Related Disorders: Bipolar I; Bipolar II; Cyclothymic 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 Disorders; 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, ensuring treatment matches young patients’ developmental stages and family contexts.

Additional Information

Dr Young pursues ongoing professional development by attending national and international child psychiatry conferences. In addition, she contributes to peer-reviewed journals and leads research on adolescent mental health. Consequently, her practice reflects the latest evidence and best practices.

Parents and carers praise her compassionate, straightforward communication style. They report that she clearly explains complex concepts, which builds trust and improves outcomes. Moreover, she hosts quarterly family workshops on coping strategies and relapse prevention, empowering support networks.

To enhance accessibility, Dr Young offers secure telehealth consultations and flexible scheduling for after-school and weekend appointments. Additionally, the clinic uses electronic medical records for seamless care coordination. Therefore, families experience consistent communication and timely adjustments to treatment plans.

Schedule a consultation today to help your child thrive under expert, empathetic care.