Frequently Asked Questions

Only practitioners who have completed he requisite training and registered with the Psychology Board of Australia can use the title Psychologist. Psychologists can then be Endorsed in an area/s of practice.  “The advanced training is in addition to the minimum level of training required for general registration” and “An area of practice endorsement function provides the public with assurance that psychologists who have advanced qualifications are trained to a consistent and acceptable level of competency” - Psychology Board of Australia. Please see here for more information.

A lot of people know what a Clinical Psychologist does, but what is a Clinical Neuropsychologist? According to the Australian Psychological Society Clinical neuropsychology is an internationally recognised area of practice with in-depth knowledge, skills and training in assessment, diagnosis, formulation, management, and treatment of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural consequences of conditions affecting the brain. These include neurological, medical, and psychiatric conditions, developmental disorders, and learning disorders. Clinical neuropsychologists are also skilled in providing cognitive rehabilitation, to target and reduce the impact of cognitive issues.

Clinical Neuropsychologists have completed a minimum of six years full-time university training,  are legally required to be registered with the AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia and must undertake continuing professional development to maintain registration. See here for more information.

To start with we will talk with you (and if appropriate, other people) about different aspects of your cognition, and any perceived changes that may have occurred over time, or after a certain event. We will then complete a range of tasks that measure thinking skills like memory, attention, and how fast you can process information. You may find some tasks hard, and some easy. This will take a number of hours and may need to be completed over two sessions. Tests are generally not like being at school. Our practice principal thinks of tests as being like gym equipment, each task is designed to try to isolate and assess a particular ability. These tests are our tools, and we select the right tools for the job. After this, we compare your results to other people of the same age. Then, depending on the purpose of the assessment, we write a report, and may give you feedback on how you went. If appropriate, therapeutic intervention or rehabilitation support may be undertaken.

 You do not have to do anything special to prepare for the appointment but the following is appreciated: 

• Please bring with you any reports or information you have that would be helpful to understand your history or the concerns for your cognition (this could include medical information, specialist reports, neuroimaging reports etc).

• If you wear glasses or hearing aids please have them with you. 

• Take any regular medications as scheduled. 

• Please bring a list of the medications that you do take. (e.g., Name, dosage, and time of day taken). 

• Abstain from any non-prescription drugs for a few weeks, and from alcohol the night prior to the assessment.

• Try to have a good nights sleep.

No, and unfortunately the Medicare Better Access program specifically excludes cognitive assessments from being able to be claimed. Clinical Neuropsychologists have attempted over a number of years to lobby the Federal Government to include neuropsychological services within the Medicare scheme like other psychological services, but we have been unsuccessful to date. 

If the assessment is being paid for by a third-party then they will have typically generated a referral, or the commissioning agency has a number of questions that do need to be answered, and they will need to put these in writing.   

No. However, you will need a GP or Psychiatrist referral plus a Mental Health Care Plan if you are seeking individual psychology services and wish to claim a rebate through the Medicare Better Access scheme. Defence force members and veterans will also need a referral. If your therapy is funded through NDIS supports we will need a copy of your plan to ensure we can provide our services in line with your needs.  

Almost everything, and yes, even a lot of the formal assessment can be completed via telehealth to enable our rural and remote clients have equitable access to these services.

Yes. This document details how you should always be treated with respect, your consent will be actively sought, and confidentiality and fees are all fully explained. We strive for the highest of ethical standards in all aspect of the work we do together.  I can provide you with a copy or see here for full details.

All of the information you provide to us as your psychologist will be kept confidential and secure. It is important to note that this confidentiality has limits such as:

·       If the information is subpoenaed by law

·       If not disclosing the information would place yourself or another person at serious and imminent risk of harm (including disclosure mandated by state and federal laws)

·       If you provide permission for me as your psychologist to provide written or verbal information to someone else (e.g., another health professional), or another organisation (for example, a school, workplace or law firm)

If you are referred by your doctor, or a third party (for example, an insurer), a report is usually requested.

Please discuss with us any concerns you may have regarding confidentiality, particularly if circumstances exist where your health records could be able to be released without your consent (including criminal, civil, and family court matters).

Psychologists maintain secure and confidential records of the service we provide. We are mindful of how important it is for you to feel comfortable to share information knowing we adhere to the highest ethical standards for confidentiality and security of information. Our records must be kept for seven years in accordance with national principles. Paper records can be faithfully scanned and electronically recorded instead of keeping the paper files. For people under the age of 18, files are kept until the person is 25 years of age. Records are either securely disposed of or electronically deleted after the relevant timeframe.

Your records typically cannot be accessed without your consent (usually in written form) unless subject to subpoena, to avert risk, or if we are mandated to report the information provided to us.

Yes. How psychology practices can be advertised is very highly regulated in Australia. For example, client testimonials (including Google reviews) are not allowed. Nor can we display the logos of our regulatory body, or schemes/organisations within which we accept referrals. We generally cannot offer gifts or discounts. We always strive to state accurately what services we provide.  

Please always check the qualifications and registration standards of practitioners as well as the evidence base for any treatment or service you want to engage. 

Any practitioner’s registration can be confirmed by visiting the national register of practitioners at www.ahpra.gov.au.

You are best suited to referral to a different practitioner if you are less than 18 years old or are seeking:

-       Eye Movement Desensitisation and Processing (EMDR) for trauma or PTSD.

-       Treatment for Personality Disorders.

-       Addictions recovery

-       Court-mandated therapy or seeking reports for family court matters