Appointments and referrals
You do not need a referral to make an appointment. Self-referrals are welcome, as are referrals from:
Doctors GPs, neurologists, geriatricians and psychiatrists.
Allied health professionals Speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, psychologists, counsellors and therapists, social workers, dietitians and audiologists.
NDIS supports Support coordinators and support workers of adult NDIS participants.
Family and carers Parents, guardians and carers of adult NDIS participants.
Please note
I only see adults aged 18 and over. I don’t provide specialised trauma treatment such as EMDR, autism assessment or positive behaviour support plans, DVA-funded services, forensic, medicolegal or court-related work (including family law, WorkCover, CTP, TPD or other insurance claims, fitness-for-duty assessments, or matters commissioned by Legal Aid Queensland or Child Safety), home visits, or crisis or after-hours support.
Fees
Therapy, rehabilitation and brain health sessions
Standard fee, $250 per session (one hour)
No Medicare rebate or private health cover. $250 out of pocket.
With Medicare rebate. $250 less $101.55 = $148.45 out of pocket.
With private health extras. $250 less your fund’s rebate. Amounts vary by fund and level of cover, commonly $40 to $120 per session, so roughly $130 to $210 out of pocket. You cannot claim Medicare and private health for the same session.
With NDIS or other funding. $0 out of pocket, with $250 invoiced through your NDIS plan.
Reduced fee (50% reduction), $125 per session (one hour)
*A reduced fee is available if you select ‘Yes’ to cost being a barrier in the online pre-appointment form. Not available where NDIS or another funder is paying the full cost.
No Medicare rebate or private health cover. $125 out of pocket.
With Medicare rebate. $125 less $101.55 = $23.45 out of pocket.
With private health extras. $125 less your fund’s rebate, so roughly $5 to $85 out of pocket.
Assessment sessions
Assessments are charged at $250 per hour, or $125 on the reduced rate.
Each price below is for the whole assessment. It is not the price of the testing on its own.
Every price includes:
the first interview (intake interview)
reading any documents you or your referrer provide (document review)
the testing session/s (cognitive testing and diagnostic interviewing)
scoring the tests (scoring)
working out what the results mean (clinical interpretation)
writing your report (report preparation)
a session with me to explain the results (feedback session)
Where a testing time is shown, that is only the time you spend doing tests. All the other work above is included in the price as well.
Full cognitive assessment, $2,250. IQ, language and verbal ability, reasoning and visuospatial ability, attention and working memory, processing speed, verbal memory, visual memory and executive functioning. This is the assessment used for memory concerns, dementia, mild cognitive impairment and brain injury. Average testing time 3 hours.
Intellectual ability only, $1,750. An IQ assessment on its own, most often where intellectual disability is the question. Average testing time 1 hour.
Learning difficulties, $2,000. Intellectual ability with academic achievement testing, for dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Average testing time 2 hours.
ADHD, $2,125. Intellectual ability, attention testing and a structured diagnostic interview. Average testing and diagnostic interview time 2.5 hours.
Full cognitive assessment with academic achievement, $2,500. Average testing time 4 hours.
Full cognitive assessment with academic achievement and ADHD, $2,875. Average testing time 5.5 hours.
Each figure is halved on the reduced rate.
Total billed time generally ranges from 7 to 14 hours, and no assessment is billed above 14 hours ($3,500, or $1,750 on the reduced rate).
Which assessment is right for you is decided together during the initial intake appointment. A quote will be provided after the initial intake and before full assessment commitment. Medicare rebates are not available for assessment.
If cost is a barrier
A reduced rate (50% reduction) is available to anyone paying privately who would find the full fee a real financial difficulty. There is a box to select on the online pre-appointment intake form. You do not need to explain why, and no documentation is required.
It is not available where another party is paying the full cost, such as NDIS. A reduced fee does not change the Medicare rebate you receive, and it does not change the assessment or the treatment you get. This is offered at the practice's discretion and may change over time.
Cancellations
At least 48 hours' notice is required to change or cancel. Less notice may result in an appointment fee charge.
Funding options
Private clients
No referral is required to see me privately. You pay the session fee directly, and I'll provide an invoice after each appointment. Private payment is the most straightforward funding pathway and is available for all services (cognitive assessment, psychological therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and brain health support). Payment is processed securely through Halaxy after your appointment. Some sessions may be eligible for a Medicare rebate (treatment only) or private health cover.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
I work with NDIS participants who are either self-managed or plan-managed. If you're unsure whether your plan includes funding for psychology, check with your plan manager or support coordinator before booking.
Medicare rebates
Medicare rebates are available for treatment of a diagnosed mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, under a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your regular GP. A psychiatrist can also refer. Rebates are not available for cognitive assessment, or for cognitive health and rehabilitation work. Where a diagnosed mental health condition is also part of the picture, treatment for that can be. Your first referral usually covers up to 6 sessions. Your GP then reviews how things are going and can refer you for the remainder, up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year. If you think this applies to you, mention it in your enquiry or speak with your GP.
Private health cover
Extras cover that includes psychology may provide a partial rebate for treatment sessions. No referral or Mental Health Treatment Plan is needed. Rebate amounts and annual limits vary considerably by fund and level of cover, so it is worth calling your fund before booking and asking three things: whether psychology is covered, how much the rebate is per session, and what your annual limit is. Ask separately about assessment and about treatment, because some funds cover one and not the other. Major funds including Medibank, Bupa, ahm, HCF, nib and Australian Unity generally cover registered psychology. You cannot claim both Medicare and private health for the same session.