Psychological Assessments

  • New Leaf Therapy is able to conduct assessments to individuals of all ages. This includes assessing for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Adjustment Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

  • We have an avid interest in the diagnostic assessments of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism especially for adult females (who have internalised presentations or are "high masking"). Autism and ADHD are widely misdiagnosed in women, often coined as anxiety-related disorders, mood disorders or BPD instead.

  • Rachael's personal experience and clinical expertise help her to understand the extensive and unique challenges faced by adults with late-in-life diagnoses (including neurodivergent burnout).

  • Rachael is also able to conduct cognitive (IQ) and adaptive functional capacity assessments that may assist with a formal diagnosis, medical review, applying for additional learning supports or workplace accommodations, applying for government schemes or funding such as the Disability Support Pension (DSP), National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or other health related supports.

  • Autism Assessments

    For Children and Adults
    • Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing Autism Spectrum 2nd Edition (MIGDAS-2)
    • Social Responsiveness Scale 2nd Edition (SRS-2)
    • Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition (ADOS-2)
    • Autism Diagnostic Interview Revised (ADI-R)
    • Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (SPQ)

  • ADHD Assessments

    For Children and Adults
    • Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA-5)
    • Conners' ADHD Rating Scales
    • MOXO
    • Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL)

  • Adaptive Functioning Assessments

    For Children and Adults
    • Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-A; adults)
    • Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System 3rd Edition (ABAS-3)
    • Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales 3rd Edition (Vineland-3)
    • World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule 2nd Edition (WHODAS-2)

  • Cognitive Assessments

    For Children and Adults
    • WISC-V (children aged 6 years to 16 years and 11 months old)
    • WAIS-IV (individuals aged 16 years to 90 years and 11 months old)

What is the purpose of an assessment?

  • A comprehensive psychological assessment encompasses a wide variety of methods and tools to collect, observe and evaluate information with the primary purpose of providing a diagnosis. This can help to identify an individual’s specific needs and allow for targeted treatment. Psychological assessments are also used to measure progress, track the effectiveness of treatment and re-evaluate historical diagnoses.
  • For children, diagnosis and early intervention can assist with school preparation and allow for the development of appropriate strategies to improve their capacity, independence and self-esteem. Early prognosis can also benefit parents/caregivers as it can help with identifying the tools necessary to support their child (in the home and at school). Depending on the diagnosis, children may also be eligible to receive additional support in the classroom (such as a Student Learning Support Officer; SLSO) and funding allocated from bodies such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for early intervention and capacity building. Additionally, research shows that when a child receives an early diagnosis and intervention, they are more likely to demonstrate improvements in areas of daily living skills (adaptive behaviour), motor skills, language ability (communication), and social emotional functioning (social skills) compared to children who are unable to access early intervention support (or children who escape early diagnosis).
  • As an adult, a formal diagnosis can help you to access community programs, support groups and other therapies that you might not qualify for without an official diagnosis (such as additional support in TAFE or university, accommodations in your workplace or specialised mental health services). Adult individuals across the lifespan advise that a diagnosis has helped to broaden their understanding of themselves, validate their own experiences, and provide a sense of relief that there are legitimate reasons outside of their control as to why they might be facing ongoing challenges, not attributed to personal failure, "laziness" or a lack of motivation. A diagnosis can help an individual to make sense of their past and present experiences and patterns of behaviours. It also allows them to focus on and value their strengths, and identify areas where supports and interventions might be needed. A diagnosis can also create opportunities to connect with other like-minded individuals (known as "neurokin" or "neurotribe") for positive identity formation, to foster new friendships and expand their informal support network.
Do I need a formal diagnosis?
  • A formal diagnosis is not required for general counselling or therapy, however, a diagnosis can greatly assist with formulating an accurate treatment plan for present challenges. A formal assessment and diagnosis can provide "answers" to life long questions whilst increasing insight and reflection of past experiences and personal struggles.

  • In short, a formal diagnosis is typically needed to apply for access to funding and formal supports such as NDIS or DSP. However, it can be costly and time intensive, and will depend on each individual’s unique circumstance. As there is a high co-occurrence rate between Autism and ADHD (and for best practice), we will screen and assess for both neurotypes.
Please note: New Leaf Therapy cannot guarantee a diagnosis. If your primary goal is applying and accessing the NDIS or DSP, please discuss this with your clinician during the Initial Assessment Consultation so that the report can be modified to support the application process (i.e. deficit and impairment-based language rather than strength-based and neuroaffirming). Your assessment and report can be independently reviewed, interpreted and co-signed by a clinical psychologist for an additional fee ($200). Individuals applying for NDIS are strongly encouraged to do so as the NDIS does not accept single clinician diagnoses from general psychologists. Even with a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and report, we cannot guarantee that you will be approved to access NDIS or DSP supports. The NDIS determines eligibility based on whether an individual meets access based on various factors (such as evidence of disability and level of impairment), all of which are outside of the clinician's control. Similarly, the DSP determines eligibility based on the 'impairment tables'. In some cases, a Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) conducted by an Occupational Therapist may strengthen your NDIS or DSP application, however we are mindful about the costs associated with an additional assessment and report. As such, we also offer cognitive and adaptive behaviour assessments (additional costs apply). We hope that offering such assessments (at a reduced rate) will improve accessibility to assessments and diagnoses for all. After the assessment, your clinician can assist with completing additional forms (e.g. NDIS access form or DSP application forms) if it is requested by you and if the clinician is deemed the most appropriate practitioner to be completing it. The completion of additional forms is not included in any of the assessment packages listed below, this will be charged at a standard fee of $260 per hour. Please be advised that a single diagnosis of ADHD is typically insufficient to access the NDIS. If your primary goal is to trial and access ADHD medication, we recommend that you see a psychiatrist (or paediatrician if under 18 years of age) rather than a psychologist. Although we are able to assess and diagnose you, psychologists cannot prescribe medication and we are mindful of the additional financial burden this may place on you. However, if you are looking for a more in-depth exploration of your neurotype (e.g. what your strengths are, how you may be impacted on a day-to-day basis and in your relationships, what supports you may require in school or in the workplace), an ADHD assessment conducted by our psychologist would be appropriate. Furthermore, if you have already seen a psychiatrist and believe that you have been misdiagnosed (or had your experiences dismissed), an ADHD assessment conducted by a psychologist may be beneficial as it is likely to be a more thorough, neuroaffirming evaluation (and/or second opinion).
What might the assessment include?
  • Initial Assessment Consultation
  • Clinical interviews and observations
  • Consulting with your network of health professionals (e.g. GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist etc)
  • Reviewing reports completed by other health professionals (e.g. behaviour support practitioner, previous psychologist, occupational therapists, psychiatrist etc.)
  • Reviewing school reports (if applicable)
  • Completing questionnaires and appropriate assessment tools
  • Your psychologist may wish to speak to other people in your life as they are "observers" of you (e.g. family, friends, partner, teacher, manager), they may be asked to complete online questionnaires as part of your assessment
  • Scoring and interpretation of assessment tools to formulate a diagnosis
  • Report writing of your comprehensive diagnostic assessment report
  • A feedback session of the assessment outcomes and clinical recommendations
New Leaf Therapy offers two assessment options: a comprehensive assessment or a brief assessment.
  • $450
    The Initial Assessment Consultation
    This is a 1 hour initial appointment. You are more than welcome to bring a support person if you wish.
At New Leaf Therapy, we always begin with an Initial Assessment Consultation (IAC). This is an opportunity for the clinician to gain a deeper understanding of you and your concerns, as well as your purpose for the assessment. If your primary goal is applying and accessing the NDIS or DSP, please discuss this with your clinician during the IAC. A clinical interview will be conducted to collect information about your history, background, current circumstance and presentation. You may be asked to complete screening tools in preparation for the IAC.
This will end in a collaborative discussion of the best steps forward for you based on your individual needs in seeking an assessment. If you wish to proceed with either assessment option (after the IAC), a quote will be sent to you. We can proceed and book you in for the assessment once the quote has been accepted where 50% of the total has been paid as a ‘deposit’.

OPTION 1

  • Costs may vary depending on complexity and presentation
    The Comprehensive Assessment
    Comprehensive ADHD or Autism asessment - $2,500 Comprehensive combined ADHD and Autism assessment - $2,800 This may take up to 4-6 hours in total spanning across a few days. Please enquire for costs regarding cognitive and adaptive functional assessments. If there is an indication that additional interview time is needed to complete your assessment (i.e. more than what was discussed and initially set aside for your assessment), you will be notified of additional charges for time taken (billed at a standard rate of $260 per hour). This may be warranted depending on the complexity of your presentation. This assures that your assessment is still conducted accurately and thoroughly, and to ensure that you are heard and understood (without feeling rushed).
  • Cost included in comprehensive assessment package This is a 1 hour feedback session.
    The Feedback Session
The comprehensive assessment option is for individuals seeking formal diagnosis of Autism or ADHD (or both). The cost of this assessment include the clinician's preparation for the session, the assessment resources and tools used, time spent scoring and interpreting assessment data (including any 'observer' responses), and report writing. This assessment option comes with an extensively detailed report (25+ pages) including a summary of your family, education, employment and medical history, developmental milestones, an outline of the diagnostic criteria and whether you meet this, the results of the assessment and recommendations. It will also include information about your unique strengths and differences (e.g. social emotional needs, communication style and sensory profile). You will be asked to complete a range of assessment forms (either digitally online or paper-based) as part of this process. The diagnostic process may take up to 4-6 hours (depending on complexity or which assessments are selected) in total, this is typically separated across two days to cater to those with reduced capacity (e.g. experiencing brain fog, attentional difficulties or fatigue after an extended period of time) or those with other external responsibilities (e.g. work schedules, child care or school drop off). NDIS eligibility guidelines state that there must be 'evidence of a disability' and DSP guidelines utilise 'impairment tables'. If you wish to apply for access to NDIS or DSP, you will likely require an additional cognitive and/or functional assessment as part of your diagnostic assessment. As such, please enquire about the costs associated with these assessments. The diagnostic report will be completed approximately 6-8 weeks after the assessment is administered. We will then contact you to book in the feedback session.
During the feedback session, you will be provided with the results from your assessment. This is an opportunity for you to review the diagnostic report with your psychologist, ask any questions and to discuss the recommendations. A digital copy of the assessment report will then be sent to you via email. Please note the report cannot be released to you (or any other relevant parties) until the assessment is paid in full.

OPTION 2

  • Cost vary as listed below
    The Brief Assessment

    Brief ADHD or Autism assessment - $1,500 Brief combined ADHD and Autism assessment - $1,800
    This may take up to 2 hours in total.


The brief assessment option is for individuals who wish to explore their neurodivergent traits for formal confirmation of their neurotype, however, at a reduced financial cost. This may be suitable for individuals who do not plan on seeking any formal supports or funding schemes (e.g. NDIS or DSP) as the brief assessment report is typically insufficient for government schemes and agencies.
This assessment option consists of a brief summary report (2-5 pages) based on the clinical interview with diagnostic results and recommendations. This cost is inclusive of the clinician's preparation for the session, the assessment resources and tools used, time spent scoring and interpreting assessment data, and report writing.
You will be asked to complete a range of assessment forms (either digitally online or paper-based) as part of this process. The diagnostic process may take up to 2 hours.
The brief summary report will be completed approximately 6 weeks after the assessment is administered. It will be sent to you via email as brief assessments do not require a feedback session. Please note the report cannot be released to you (or any other relevant parties) until the assessment is paid in full. Please note: if you wish to book an additional appointment or to seek ongoing therapy support, please contact us and we will send you a new therapy client intake form.
If you have decided that an assessment with New Leaf Therapy is the right step for you, please fill out an enquiry form to request an assessment intake form be sent to you via email. The New Leaf Therapy team will then contact you to advise your spot on the waitlist and/or to schedule your initial assessment consultation. Please read about the Assessment rescheduling and cancellation policies here.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions regarding this process.

NEW LEAF THERAPY GROUP PTY LTD

ABN: 67 668 748 767
admin@newleaftherapy.net.au
77 Lethbridge Street, Penrith NSW 2750
New Leaf Therapy acknowledges and recognises the traditional custodians and owners of the land. We pay our respect to Elders both past and present of the Dharug Nation on which we stand in Western Sydney. We extend this respect to all Indigenous people and communities.
New Leaf Therapy welcomes individuals of any age, race, sexuality, gender identity, neurotype, religion, language and cognitive ability.
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