FAQ
Step 1: You reach out to me via the booking form or email. I strive to reply to your message by the end of the following week.
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Step 2: We will begin to coordinate the next steps, including timing and further information. In our correspondence, I will provide more information about this process, as well as some specific items to be completed by you. These include a consent form, some intake questions about your background and why you're seeking assessment, and some screeners for you to fill out which will provide a jumping-off point for our work together. You are welcome to reach out with any questions or clarification around the process.
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My assessment work takes place on Thursdays and Fridays, but I may respond outside of those times.
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Step 3: Booking the assessment session. We will schedule this for around 2-3 weeks (depending on capacity) after you are sent the intake documents, which will provide me time to thoroughly review and prepare.
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Step 4: Assessment Session. This is the session where we can finally meet via video conferencing! This session will take roughly 3 hours (which I know can be daunting), but will involve a thorough exploration of your personal experiences as they may pertain to your neurotype. This will be a semi-structured interview with lots of room to explore and expand, and will also include a structured diagnostic tool (MIGDAS-2). Feel free to bring anything you feel might be helpful that I haven't seen before, but there is also no expectation for you to prepare anything. That's my job!
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Step 5a: Review & Report. This might be the hard part -- waiting! I give myself up to 6 weeks to review our work together and complete my personalised, comprehensive report for you. This time accounts for interpretation, report writing, but also my other work and time spent conducting assessments with other clients. Your patience is appreciated!
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Step 5b: Once I have completed your report, I will reach out to schedule a 1-hour feedback session. (comprehensive options only)
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Step 6: Feedback Session. In this session, I will provide you with your report and discuss my conclusions with you. This also allows time for you to ask any questions or clarifications about the content of the report or about the assessment process as a whole. (comprehensive options only)
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If you have selected the condensed option, we will forego the feedback session and I will not complete a full report, instead providing a brief summary of my conclusions. These letters may be completed sooner than a full report, though I still need to account for scheduling considerations.
You are welcome to reach out with any questions or clarifications you may still have!
Scheduling is dependent on availability and may be affected by a waitlist. Initial sessions will take place at least 2-3 weeks after you receive the block of forms to complete and return, which gives us both time to finish them off.
I provide assessment services during daytime hours on Thursdays and Fridays.
I use a battery of screeners and assessments which have been deemed to be neuroaffirming, person-centred, and which I integrate with a thorough interview to gain your perspective. This battery includes many assessments, but some examples are the MIGDAS-2 and BRIEF-A. I do not utilise the ADOS-2 (you may have heard about the "frog book"?) as I find it does not capture the experience of my adult clients in a way that aligns with my perspective.
The date we begin working together may be affected by a waitlist, but once we have our initial session, I strive to complete my report and meet you for a feedback session 4-6 weeks later.
The cost of assessment takes into account not only our time spent together during the , assessment (3 hours) and feedback (1 hour) sessions, but also my time spent reviewing the screeners and tools we will complete, and writing your personalised, comprehensive report.
For full transparency, my hourly rate is currently set at $250. The Australian Psychology Board (APS) has recommended the hourly rate for psychologists in private practice to be $311 for 2024-2025.
In Australia, a generally registered psychologist cannot bill Medicare for autism assessments. Medicare rebates for autism assessments are typically only available when conducted by a clinical psychologist, paediatrician, or psychiatrist under specific referral pathways.
Key Medicare Rules for Autism Assessments:
Medicare Items 135, 289, and 92141 – These apply to autism assessments for children under 25 years old, but only if conducted by a paediatrician or psychiatrist with referrals for allied health assessments.
Psychologists & Medicare – A generally registered psychologist can conduct autism assessments, but they cannot bill Medicare for them. Clinical psychologists may access rebates for related mental health services under a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) but not for the assessment itself.
NDIS & Private Billing – Since Medicare rebates are limited, many adult autism assessments are privately funded. The NDIS does not cover diagnostic assessments, though individuals with an existing diagnosis may access funding for therapy and support.
Alternative Funding Options:
Private health insurance (check with your provider for rebates on psychological assessments).
Employer or university support (some workplaces and educational institutions offer funding for assessments).
Payment plans (some clinics offer flexible payment options).
If you’re considering an assessment, it’s best to confirm fees and rebate eligibility directly with the psychologist or clinic.
I am a psychologist and as such cannot prescribe medications. If you are looking to pursue medication, please discuss with your GP before commencing this process, to ensure you are receiving the right service for you.
At present, through Untethered Psychology I am only providing assessment services, but I would be happy to connect you with additional providers for therapy or coaching.
My services are currently only available to adults 18+, who are located in Australia, and who are able to communicate verbally in English.
Video conferencing capabilities with video and audio are required.