Dr Adrian Loh — Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist in Singapore

Dr Adrian Loh is a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director at Promises Healthcare, located at Novena Medical Center in Singapore. He completed his medical degree and Master of Medicine in Psychiatry at the National University of Singapore, is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, and completed a Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.

He has a subspecialty focus in child and adolescent psychiatry and serves as Section Chairman of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section at the College of Psychiatry, Academy of Medicine. He is also a Visiting Consultant at the Institute of Mental Health.

Clinical focus

Child & adolescent psychiatry.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (NUS), MMed (Psychiatry) (NUS), FAMS, Fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (University of British Columbia).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Promises Healthcare (see our clinic listing) — Novena Medical Center, Sinaran Drive
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Visiting Consultant, Institute of Mental Health (IMH)

Getting to the clinic

Dr Adrian Loh sees patients with Promises Healthcare at Novena Medical Center on Sinaran Drive, within the Novena health district. The simplest route is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North South Line, from which the medical centre is a short and largely sheltered walk through the surrounding buildings. Novena is a well-known medical cluster, so the area is geared towards visitors attending appointments, which can be reassuring when bringing a child or teenager.

• By MRT: Novena (NS20), then a brief walk to Sinaran Drive.
• By bus: several routes run along Thomson Road and the roads near Novena; check your app for the closest stop.
• By car or taxi: taxi and ride-hailing drop-off is available, and the building has a paid visitor carpark, which is convenient when travelling as a family. Allow extra time at peak periods.

What child and adolescent psychiatry covers

Dr Loh’s subspecialty is child and adolescent psychiatry, which addresses the emotional, behavioural and developmental health of children and teenagers. Common areas include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and mood difficulties, behavioural and conduct concerns, and the emotional impact of school, family and social pressures. Care is developmentally informed, meaning that what is typical for a child of a given age is taken into account, and it usually involves parents and sometimes the school as well as the young person. Treatment may combine psychological therapy, parent guidance, school liaison and, where appropriate, carefully monitored medication. The aim is to support a young person’s development, learning and relationships rather than simply to control symptoms. His subspecialty training in child and adolescent psychiatry, completed overseas, underpins this developmentally informed approach, in which behaviour is interpreted in the light of a child’s age and stage rather than judged against adult standards. Much of the work is collaborative, drawing parents and, with consent, teachers into a shared plan, because consistency between home and school is often what allows a young person to make and keep progress. Where medication is part of the picture it is used thoughtfully and monitored closely, and it is usually one element of a broader plan rather than the whole of it.

What to expect at a consultation

A first appointment usually involves both the young person and a parent or carer. The psychiatrist will gather a developmental history, covering early milestones, temperament, school progress and family circumstances, alongside the current concerns and how they show up at home and in class. Time may be spent with the young person alone and with the parents alone, as both perspectives matter and an older teenager’s privacy is respected. Information from the school, such as reports or teacher observations, is often helpful. Physical health is considered, and questionnaires or rating scales may be used. By the end of the visit you should have an understanding of the difficulties and a plan, which often emphasises support at home and school alongside any clinical treatment.

Preparing for your appointment

• Photo identification for the parent, and the child’s identification.
• Any GP, polyclinic or school referral letter or report.
• School reports, teacher feedback and any previous assessments.
• A list of the child’s current medications and supplements, with doses.
• A written note of the main concerns, when they started and how they affect home, school and friendships.
• The young person’s own view of what is difficult, where they are old enough to share it.

After your consultation and follow-up

You will usually leave with a plan that may combine parent strategies, school recommendations, therapy and, where indicated, medication, along with a follow-up date. When medication is started it is reviewed closely for benefit and side effects, particularly in younger patients, so early follow-up is common. Continuity helps, as children change as they grow and plans need to be revisited. Coordination with the school and the family GP supports consistency. A second opinion can be sought at any time. Seek urgent help through an emergency department if there are thoughts of self-harm, talk of suicide, or a sudden severe change in behaviour.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private clinic, Promises Healthcare does not generally require a referral, although a letter from a GP, polyclinic or school can be useful and may be needed for subsidies at public services. Consultations are usually paid out of pocket. MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans follow set rules and limits and may apply to certain treatments rather than routine outpatient visits. Confirm current fees and claimability directly with the clinic.

Common questions

At what age should I seek help for my child?

There is no minimum age. If difficulties with mood, behaviour, attention or development are affecting your child’s daily life, an assessment can help clarify what is going on.

Will my child have to take medication?

Not necessarily. Many concerns are managed with therapy, parent support and school measures; medication is recommended only when it is likely to help and is then monitored carefully.

Should both parents attend?

It is often helpful, as different observations and a shared understanding of the plan support consistency at home.

Will the school be involved?

With your consent, school information and recommendations are often part of the plan, since much of a child’s day is spent there.

Related guides

• ADHD
• Anxiety & depression
• Therapist vs psychiatrist

Sources & verification

• Promises Healthcare – Dr Adrian Loh

See also: our editorial directory of psychiatrists in Singapore and our shortlist of psychiatry clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.