MY STORY
I am a neurodivergent psychologist offering diagnostic assessments for adults (18+) seeking a deeper understanding of themselves, focusing on Autism and ADHD. I have a particular interest in working with adults who present with 'high masking' or internalised presentations.
With 12 years of clinical practice experience, my journey took a pivotal turn after receiving a late diagnosis myself. This inspired me to support adults who identify as or suspect they are neurodivergent. My goal is to make assessments and diagnoses accessible, ensuring a warm, friendly, and considerate service that acknowledges the unique challenges faced by late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults.
I am registered in Australia as a Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor. I offer online videoconferencing assessments and diagnostic reports Australia-wide. While I do not provide ongoing therapy, I can recommend ongoing support if needed.
My approach is warm, down-to-earth, and practical. I prefer to communicate via email, so please direct all enquiries and appointment scheduling there.
The Assessment Process
Which assessment option is right for me?
Autism & ADHD Assessment and Comprehensive Report
This option is for those seeking formal identification of Autism and ADHD with a thorough report. My reports typically span 30 pages and include a background summary, details of how you meet the criteria, and all your test results with clear information and graphs to help you interpret them. Additionally, a 3-page summary with NDIS-specific recommendations is included.
The cost of this service is $2500, which includes consultations, a diagnostic interview, a feedback session, and the report. This also covers my time for scoring and interpreting assessment tools, preparing for the sessions, and writing the report.
The cost will be broken down into:
-
1 x $250 payment when scheduling your initial consultation
-
1 x $2000 payment when scheduling your diagnostic assessment appointment
-
1 x $250 payment when scheduling your feedback session
You will meet with me three times in total. The initial consultation lasts for 50 minutes, the diagnostic session will take up to three hours, and the feedback session will be another 50 minutes.
Please note that I cannot guarantee my diagnostic reports will be sufficient for NDIS funding. The NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's 'level of functioning' among other factors beyond my control. While I can include recommendations for the NDIS in my report, I cannot assist with an access request. If accessing the NDIS is a primary goal, you may be better served by an alternative service.
Autism & ADHD Assessment Lite
This option is for those seeking formal identification of Autism and ADHD at a reduced cost. This service does not include a comprehensive report but provides a two-page summary letter. The letter includes a formal diagnostic statement and brief recommendations. This option is ideal for those who want formal clarification of their neurotype but do not require a comprehensive report.
The cost of this service is $1500, which includes consultations, a diagnostic interview, and the summary letter. This also covers my time for scoring and interpreting assessment tools, preparing for the sessions, and writing the summary.
The cost will be broken down into:
-
1 x $250 payment when scheduling your initial consultation
-
1 x $1250 payment when scheduling your diagnostic assessment appointment
You will meet with me twice in total. The initial consultation lasts for 50 minutes, and the diagnostic session will take up to three hours. There will be no follow-up session; you will receive your diagnostic summary letter via email.
The Assessment Process
Broken Down
1
First Contact
You will be invited to schedule your initial consultation and diagnostic assessment together. Typically, these will be scheduled at least a week apart.
Prior to our initial consultation, you will be sent some forms and simple psychological screening tools to complete. These aim to give me a broader understanding of you before we first meet.
The initial consultation is 50 minutes, during which I will collaboratively explore your concerns, developmental, and psychological history.
I am also happy to use some of this time to decide together on the best next steps and whether a comprehensive report is necessary. Whenever there is an option to be time and cost-effective, we will opt for the most straightforward way of meeting your needs.
2
After The Intake Session
Prior to our diagnostic session, I will send you additional psychological assessments to complete online, which will help me understand your traits better. These may take you several hours to complete but they do not need to be completed all at once!
The diagnostic session can take up to 3 hours and often feels like a long conversation. The purpose of this session is to gather further information and collaboratively explore whether your traits meet the formal diagnostic criteria for Autism and ADHD.
Following this session, I will take some time to review everything, including test scores and information obtained during our sessions, to reach a formal diagnostic conclusion.
If you have chosen the comprehensive option, I will use this time to write the report. The turnaround time for this is typically 6 weeks. If you have chosen the 'lite' version, you will receive the diagnostic summary via email within 3 weeks of your scheduled appointment.
3
Feedback Session
If you have chosen the comprehensive report option, we will meet for a 50-minute feedback session approximately 6 weeks after your diagnostic assessment.
During this session, I will provide you with your comprehensive report and review all the results with you. This will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions about your test results and discuss ongoing recommendations.
Please note: If you have chosen the lite version, you will receive your summary letter via email, but no follow-up feedback session will be required.
Things to Consider
-
My books are currently full until September 2024, and I operate with a waitlist. Please understand that my waitlist is currently long, and new enquiries may not be seen before early 2025. All spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. I will reach out to my waitlist when spots become available (in order from your contact date). If I do not hear from you within 48 hours, I will continue to make my way down the list and offer spots to others. I cannot hold spots without payment.
-
I currently only conduct appointments during business hours. All appointments must be paid for in advance at the time of booking to secure your appointment. I am unable to hold appointments without payment and do not offer payment plans.
-
Medicare rebates are not available for my services.
-
As best practice, I always recommend assessing for both Autism and ADHD together due to the high comorbidity between these two neurotypes. Statistically, the chance of someone being both Autistic and having ADHD is higher than just having one or the other. A mixed presentation of Autism and ADHD (AuDHD) can look very different from someone who is just Autistic or just has ADHD. This is one of the reasons why many people have gone under the radar their entire lives, as they may not present with stereotyped or observable traits. Additionally, significant diagnostic overshadowing can occur when someone has both Autism and ADHD.
-
To engage in this service, you must be 18 years or older, have access to a computer with a webcam, and have a stable internet connection. Assessments cannot be provided over the phone, as the clinician needs to see you during the assessment to make an accurate diagnosis.
-
I cannot guarantee that my diagnostic reports will be sufficient for NDIS funding. The NDIS determines eligibility based on an individual's 'level of functioning' and other factors beyond my control. While I do include recommendations for the NDIS in my comprehensive report, I cannot assist with an access request. You may also need an additional assessment and report from an Occupational Therapist to strengthen your application. I am mindful of the cost of this service, and if your goal is accessing the NDIS, you may be better served by an alternative service.