Healthy Neurodivergence
Supporting the growing recognition of adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Neuroaffirming Therapy: ASD & ADHD
Angela provides a neuroaffirming approach to psychological therapy when working with neurodivergent clients. Her practice celebrates neurodiversity and supports neurodivergent clients in leveraging their unique strengths while developing strategies that align with their own goals and values.
With lived experience, Angela brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her neuroaffirming therapy practice; recognising the diverse ways neurodivergent brains process, create and thrive.
Comprehensive Adult ADHD Assessments:
Angela provides comprehensive diagnostic assessments for adults who wish to explore a diagnosis of ADHD.
The process begins with an in-depth clinical interview covering developmental history, current psychological concerns, and relevant medical or educational information. Standardised questionnaires and evidence-based rating scales are also used to gather input from the client and family members. While collateral information, such as School reports, or workplace feedback is recommended and useful, it is not always required. Throughout the process, Angela adopts a neuroaffirming collaborative approach that recognises ADHD as part of natural neurodiversity and highlights each person’s unique abilities.
The assessment findings are carefully integrated into a detailed written report with personalised recommendations—ranging from practical strategies and therapeutic support, to guidance on medical follow-up, if indicated.
The assessment helps to refine whether ADHD is the likely diagnosis or if there are other mental health conditions that may better explain the psychological symptoms. If a diagnosis of ADHD is not likely and other mental health conditions are indicated, Angela aims to provide recommendations and treatment plan regardless, to support each individual moving forward.
Following the Assessment:
Scientific research supports the view that psychological therapy and medication combined produce the best treatment outcome's for individuals living with ADHD. If individuals with a ADHD diagnosis wish to explore medication options, such as stimulants, a referral to a Psychiatrist is often a step following the assessment.
Psychiatrists (paediatricians and sometimes neurologists) are the only medical practitioner/ doctor with the current authority to prescribe stimulant medication within Australia. After the initial specialist assessment/prescription, a GP (or “other designated prescriber”) is usually able to take over maintenance prescribing under certain conditions.
ADHD Assessment Cost:
A comprehensive ADHD assessment includes a total cost of $546. The assessment is usually carried out over 2-3 sessions and covers the cost of the clinical interview, assessment questionnaires, a feedback session and development of the final report. Unfortunately, a Medicare rebate is not able to be claimed for a ADHD diagnostic assessment with a Psychologist in Australia.
Booking an Assessment:
To enquire or book a comprehensive assessment for ADHD, please contact Angela directly.
FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can diagnose and treat adult ADHD in Australia:
- Both Psychologists and Psychiatrists are able to diagnose and treat ADHD.
2. What is the difference between a Psychologist and Psychiatrist in the management of ADHD
Psychologists often work collaboratively with Psychiatrists and GPs to ensure a comprehensive, multimodal approach to ADHD management.
A Psychologist is not a medical doctor and can't prescribe medication. Psychologists focus on the therapeutic and behavioural interventions recommended to manage ADHD symptoms.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors that are able to prescribe stimulant medications, the medication often suggested in the management of ADHD.
In New South Wales, a Psychiatrist is currently the only medical practitioner authorised to initiate and prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD.
Prescribing authority for ADHD medication varies between Australian states and territories. In some jurisdictions, appropriately trained paediatricians or other medical specialists, such as General Practitioners may also have authority to prescribe stimulant medication under specific regulations and approval processes.
3. What is the benefit of choosing a Psychologist vs Psychiatrist for the ADHD diagnosis.
Choosing a Psychologist can provide the following benefits:
1. A detailed comprehensive assessment
Psychologists typically provide longer, more detailed assessments that explore not only ADHD symptoms, but also learning styles, emotional wellbeing, personality factors, and how symptoms show up across daily life.
This can lead to a richer understanding of your strengths and challenges
2. Neuroaffirming and holistic approach to treatment
Psychologists often take a whole-person, neurodiversity-affirming perspective. This means the assessment not just at symptoms and aims to understand how symptoms affect all areas of one's life. This might includes assessing levels of: burnout and masking (i.e. impact of hiding ones symptoms), identifying the executive functioning difficulties and the specific environmental stressors.
3. More time to explore your story
Psychologists generally spend more contact hours with you than psychiatrists do.
This provides a comfortable space to discuss your experiences at work, study, at home and with relationships and to ensure the diagnosis feels accurate and collaborative.
4. Is choosing a psychologist more cost effective to provide the ADHD Assessment than a Psychiatrist:
The cost of an ADHD assessment within Australia by Psychiatrists can vary greatly, usually ranging anywhere from $1500 to $3000.
In general, Psychologists tend to offer more affordable assessment pathways compared to Psychiatrists. Psychologists usually spend more time gathering history, completing structured testing, and providing a detailed report, while keeping fees at a lower rate than Psychiatrists
5. What if I receive a ADHD diagnosis by a Psychologist and then choose to explore stimulant medication options with a Psychiatrist. Will I pay for a ADHD diagnostic assessment twice?
If you choose to explore stimulant medication following an ADHD diagnosis completed by a Psychologist, you will be referred to a Psychiatrist to review and confirm the diagnosis and discuss medication options.
In many cases, completing a ADHD assessment with a Psychologist first can reduce overall costs in the longer term. A detailed Psychologist's report typically includes developmental history, collateral information, standardised testing results, and clear diagnostic rationale. This information often provides a Psychiatrist with much of the background required, which may reduce the number of appointments needed for diagnostic clarification and support a more efficient medication review process.
While an ADHD diagnostic report completed by a Psychologist or another practitioner can strongly support diagnostic clarity at an initial Psychiatric appointment, it is important to understand that a Psychiatrist may not always agree with a prior diagnosis. A Psychiatrist is required to form their own independent clinical opinion, and no prior ADHD diagnosis can guarantee that medication will be prescribed.
It is recommended that you check with the Psychiatrist regarding the anticipated costs range prior to an initial appointment. You should also ensure you are aware of the ongoing costs associated with follow-up Psychiatric consultations. Medication management with a Psychiatrist typically involves multiple review appointments to monitor effectiveness, side effects, and to determine the most appropriate medication type and dosage over time.