Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started
Do I need certainty before booking?
No. Identity exploration and neuro-questioning are welcome.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required for private appointments. If you would like to claim Medicare rebates, you will need a valid Mental Health Care Plan and referral from your GP.
Do you offer Medicare rebates?
Medicare rebates are available for therapy when clients have a valid referral from a GP under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. In some circumstances, referrals may also be made by another medical specialist.
Medicare rebates for autism assessments may be available for individuals under 25 when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist under specific Medicare criteria.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible for a Medicare rebate, please speak with your GP or referring medical specialist. Rebates are processed after payment of the session fee.
Do you bulk bill?
A limited number of reduced-fee appointments will become available once my Medicare provider number is activated. These appointments will be offered in line with a hardship and sliding-scale policy to support clients experiencing financial difficulty. Please feel welcome to get in touch if you would like to discuss your circumstances.
Can I claim through private health insurance?
Some private health funds provide rebates for psychological services under “extras” cover. Please contact your health insurer directly to confirm eligibility and rebate amounts. A receipt can be provided for claiming purposes.
How do professionals refer a client?
Health professionals are welcome to refer via email.
Please ensure the client has provided consent for the referral and for their information to be shared prior to sending any identifying information.
Where possible, please include:
Client name and date of birth
Contact details (email and/or phone)
Reason for referral
Relevant background information or clinical history
Any specific questions for assessment or therapy
Referrals can be sent to hello@mindsofcolour.com.au
The client will be contacted directly to discuss suitability, consent and appointment availability.
How do you manage enquiries and communication?
As a solo clinician, I spend much of the day in appointments. For this reason, I manage enquiries via email.
This allows me to respond thoughtfully and with care, and to give your enquiry the attention it deserves. It also helps keep communication clear and consistent across the process.
You’re very welcome to include any questions in your enquiry, and I will respond via email as soon as I can.
Profession & Scope
What is a Clinical Psychologist?
A Clinical Psychologist is a registered psychologist who has completed additional postgraduate training in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.
In Australia, psychologists are regulated by the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Clinical Psychologists have completed an accredited Master’s or Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and additional supervised practice requirements to receive clinical endorsement from the Psychology Board of Australia.
Clinical Psychologists are trained in comprehensive psychological assessment, diagnostic formulation and evidence-based therapies for a wide range of mental health presentations.
Under Medicare, rebates for services provided by a Clinical Psychologist are higher than those provided by a general psychologist due to this additional training and endorsement.
Do you prescribe medication or provide medical advice?
No. I do not prescribe medication or provide medical advice. Medical decisions remain with the treating medical practitioner.
Do you provide court reports?
No. This practice does not provide court reports.
Do you offer cognitive or IQ testing (e.g., WAIS/WISC)?
No. Comprehensive IQ testing is not offered. Assessments focus on diagnostic clarification, formulation and functional impact rather than standalone cognitive profiling.
Therapy & Assessment
Is this practice suitable for crisis care?
This practice is not designed for crisis or emergency presentations. If you are in immediate distress, please contact emergency services or Lifeline (13 11 14).
Why do some appointments include a 5-minute break?
Longer appointments may include a planned 5-minute break. This supports accessibility, concentration and pacing, particularly for neurodivergent clients. Breaks are used flexibly depending on your needs.
How long does the assessment process take overall?
The assessment process usually takes several weeks (approximately 3–6 weeks) from the initial appointment to the final report. Many assessments take place over multiple sessions, allowing time to gather information from different sources and develop a comprehensive understanding.
The exact timeline depends on appointment availability, the number of sessions required, and whether additional information (such as school reports or collateral information) is needed.
Reports are typically issued within 2–3 weeks after the final assessment session.
What information do you rely on during an assessment?
Assessments are conducted based on the information provided by the client (and/or parent or guardian where relevant), alongside clinical interviews and standardised assessment tools. Where appropriate, collateral information may be requested (for example from a GP, treating practitioner, school, or family member) to ensure a comprehensive understanding. If collateral information is requested but not received within an agreed timeframe, the assessment may proceed based on the information available at that time. Any limitations related to unavailable information will be clearly documented in the report.
Do you complete assessments where complex mental health presentations are present?
Yes. Assessments can occur where complex mental health presentations are present, provided there is sufficient stability to participate in the assessment process. Where significant or ongoing mental health conditions are involved, it is important that an existing treating clinician remains actively involved in care. Collaboration and collateral information may be required to support accurate formulation and diagnostic clarity. This service is assessment-focused and cannot operate as the primary provider managing intensive or high-risk treatment needs.
Can I request a specific assessment tool (e.g., ADOS-2)?
Assessments are conducted using clinically appropriate methods based on the referral question and individual circumstances. This practice uses a formulation-informed and neuroaffirming assessment approach, drawing on clinical interview, developmental history, standardised measures and collateral information where appropriate. The ADOS-2 is not used within this practice. Autism assessments are informed by the MIGDAS-2 framework, which focuses on lived experience, developmental history and functional impact.
What happens if an assessment does not confirm a diagnosis?
An assessment may or may not result in a formal diagnosis. Throughout the assessment process, we discuss observations and impressions transparently and collaboratively. If it becomes clear that a formal diagnosis is unlikely or that further appointments would not be helpful, this will be discussed openly. Regardless of outcome, the assessment process aims to provide clarity, formulation and recommendations that support understanding, wellbeing and access to appropriate supports.
The aim is to complete assessments within the least number of appointments necessary, rather than extending the process if additional sessions are unlikely to add meaningful information.
Can assessment reports be used for NDIS, school or workplace supports?
Assessment reports may be used to support applications for services such as NDIS, educational adjustments or workplace accommodations. However, acceptance of reports is determined by the receiving organisation, and additional documentation may sometimes be required.
Do doctors accept your ADHD assessment reports?
Many medical practitioners (GPs, psychiatrists and paediatricians) accept comprehensive external diagnostic reports. Some practitioners prefer to conduct their own assessment before prescribing medication. If medication is being considered, it is recommended that you confirm with your prescribing provider whether external diagnostic reports are accepted.
Do doctors accept psychosocial assessment reports for gender-affirming medical care?
Many medical practitioners (such as GPs, endocrinologists and surgeons) accept comprehensive psychosocial assessment reports when considering gender-affirming medical care.
These assessments are informed by previous experience working within a public specialist gender service where a significant part of the role involved conducting assessments and preparing reports supporting access to gender-affirming medical care. This work involved preparing reports addressing the information typically required by medical practitioners and multidisciplinary teams.
Requirements can vary between practitioners and services. If gender-affirming medical care is being considered, it is recommended that you confirm with your treating doctor whether external assessment reports are accepted and whether any specific documentation is required.
Is parent involvement required for under 18s?
Yes. Parent or guardian involvement is required for appointments involving young people under 18.
What if one parent does not consent?
Where both parents hold parental responsibility, lack of dual consent may affect access to medical treatment through a prescribing provider.
Do legal requirements for gender-affirming care vary by location?
Legal requirements for accessing gender-affirming medical care can vary depending on state or territory legislation, age, and the requirements of the treating medical provider. Where relevant, assessments must comply with both the legislation and professional requirements in my jurisdiction and those that apply where the client resides. Specific requirements for accessing treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgical care may differ depending on age and location. Ultimately, decisions regarding medical treatment remain with the treating medical practitioner, who may apply additional clinical or legal requirements.