I am able to recreate this issue on my Macs. The symbolic link folders do not appear in either the Navigator or Favorites panels. I was able to add the symbolic links folders to the Favorites panel by using the Finder to drag the folder icon in from the Desktop. Double clicking this icon in the Favorites panel will open the folder as a contact sheet. I noticed the folder name listed in the contact sheet tab was the original folder name and not the name of the symbolic link. I also noticed that the option to Open the folder and all sub folders in a new contact sheet or replacing the current contact sheet, is not available in the contextual menu. Please let me know if you have any questions.
regards,
--Bob