Top 7 Child Psychiatry Clinics in Amman 2026

When do you need this specialty or procedure?

Child and adolescent psychiatry deals with emotional, behavioural and developmental difficulties in children and teenagers. A child psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can assess, diagnose and, where appropriate, prescribe medication, usually working with psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists and family counsellors. This differs from a general paediatrician, who handles growth, vaccinations and physical illness; many families start with their paediatrician, who can rule out physical causes and refer on.

Common reasons families seek an assessment include:

• Persistent difficulty with attention, restlessness or impulsivity that affects school and home, often raised as possible ADHD
• Differences in communication, social interaction, play or repetitive behaviours that may suggest autism
• Ongoing anxiety, fears, worries or obsessive rituals
• Low mood, withdrawal, loss of interest, or changes in sleep and appetite lasting weeks
• Frequent severe tantrums, aggression or behaviour that is hard to manage
• Sudden drops in school performance or refusal to attend school
• Concerns about substance use in teenagers

One bad week is not usually a reason for concern. What matters is when difficulties last, appear in more than one setting, and interfere with daily life, learning or relationships.

Urgent warning signs

Do not wait for a clinic appointment if a child or teenager talks about wanting to die or harm themselves, has self-harmed, may have taken an overdose, threatens serious harm to others, sees or hears things others do not and is very distressed, becomes suddenly confused, or stops eating and drinking. Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, and keep the child supervised until help arrives.

How to choose among the clinics here

People looking for the best child psychiatry clinics in Amman often focus on reputation, but the more useful question is which clinic matches your child's specific need. Practical points to compare:

• Type of assessment. If the main question is ADHD or autism, look for clinics that list structured child rating scales or developmental assessments. Mainstream guidance stresses that these are one part of a diagnosis: a clinician should also take a full history and gather information from parents and school.
• Team mix. Some children need more than a psychiatrist. Clinics that also list speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, play therapy or educational evaluation can coordinate care in one place.
• Age fit. Check that the services and tools listed match your child's age, whether preschool, school age or adolescent.
• Therapy versus medication. For many childhood difficulties, psychological and parenting approaches come first, with medication considered by a doctor case by case. Ask how the clinic decides.
• Language. If your child is more comfortable in English or Arabic, ask whether sessions are offered in that language.
• Hours. School-age children often need late-afternoon or evening slots. Compare confirmed hours, including Thursday availability.
• Remote options. Some clinics list remote consultations, which can help with follow-ups, though first assessments of young children usually work best in person.

What to expect at the first visit

A first child psychiatry appointment is mostly talking and observing. The clinician may speak with parents first, then with the child, and sometimes with a teenager alone, which is normal and helps them speak openly. Formal tests or questionnaires may be scheduled for later sessions, and a full assessment often takes more than one visit.

What to bring

• A short written timeline: when you first noticed concerns, what has changed, and what has helped or made things worse
• Any school reports, teacher notes or previous assessments
• Previous medical reports, hearing or vision test results, and a list of current medicines and supplements
• Notes on pregnancy, birth and developmental milestones if you have them
• Something calming for a younger child, such as a favourite toy

Questions to ask

• What do you think is going on, and what else could explain it?
• Do you need information from my child's school, and how will you get it?
• What are the options, including non-medication approaches?
• If medication is suggested, what are the possible side effects and how will they be monitored?
• How often will follow-up be, and who will we see?
• What should we do if things get worse between appointments?

Prepare your child honestly in simple words: they are going to talk to a doctor who helps children with feelings and behaviour, not because they are in trouble.

Insurance, fees and booking: what to ask before the appointment

The profiles on this page do not publish consultation fees, so ask each clinic directly before booking. Useful questions:

• What is the fee for the first assessment, and is it different from follow-up visits?
• Are structured tests, such as ADHD or autism rating scales or intelligence testing, charged separately?
• How many sessions does a full assessment usually involve?
• Does the clinic work with your insurer, and does your policy cover psychiatric or psychological care for children? Some policies limit mental health or therapy cover, so check with the insurer as well.
• Will you receive a written report, and is there a charge for it?
• What is the cancellation policy?

When booking, mention your child's age and main concern so the clinic can match you with the right professional and allow enough time.

Getting there

Amman's traffic can be heavy at school drop-off and pick-up times and in the early evening, so allow extra time and aim to arrive calm rather than rushed, which helps anxious children. The clinics listed here are spread across several parts of the city, including Abdoun, the Gardens area and Shmeisani, with others in central and western neighbourhoods. Each entry above gives the clinic's area and, where published, its street or building. Confirm the exact floor and parking options when you book, and check whether the building has a lift if you are bringing a pushchair.

Checklist before you book

• Write down your main concerns and how long they have lasted
• Collect school reports and any previous assessments or medical reports
• Check the clinic lists services that fit your child's age and concern
• Confirm the name and specialty of the clinician you will see
• Ask about the first-visit fee, testing costs and report fees
• Check insurance cover with both the clinic and your insurer
• Choose a time that fits school hours and your child's energy levels
• Ask whether sessions are in Arabic, English or both
• Know the urgent warning signs and that 911 is the emergency number in Jordan