Psychological Assessment

Our psychologists can conduct diagnostic assessments on a range of psychological conditions including ADHD assessments. Assessment is conducted over 3-4 sessions and may involve structured questionnaires, structured or semi-structured clinical interviews. Depending on the requirements and purposes of the assessment, we provide a customised quote for each client.

If you are a university students seeking supporting document for special consideration, please let us know during our initial phone call. Our psychologists are unable to accommodate last minute request as assessment takes time to complete. Please read our blog article for more information regarding university special consideration.

Please note that our psychologists do not conduct forensic assessments or write reports for legal/court purposes.

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Information on Adult ADHD Assessment

In Australia, adults seeking an ADHD assessment typically do so for the following reasons:

They would like to explore the option of using stimulant medication.
They want to apply for special accommodation at university.
They want to find an explanation for long-standing difficulties.

If the purpose of seeking a diagnosis is purely to obtain medication, it's important to note that psychologists cannot prescribe medication. In this case, it is recommended to book an appointment with a GP to get a referral to a psychiatrist, and then join the psychiatrist’s waiting list for direct assessment and potential prescription.

If the purpose falls under the second or third reason, psychologists can provide assistance. Our assessment process usually follows these steps:

Phone booking: An assistant collects basic information and conducts a preliminary risk assessment.
First meeting with the psychologist to gather background information and explain the assessment process (50 or 80 minutes).
Structured clinical interview with the psychologist: either with the individual alone or, if possible, with a family member or friend who can provide information about childhood (80 minutes).
Questionnaire surveys to be completed by the individual and a family member or friend, which can be done at home.
The psychologist considers other potential diagnoses or overlapping factors: If we suspect something like dyslexia, we may recommend completing assessments like the WAIS (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) and WIAT (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test). The time required will depend on the specific situation.
The psychologist analyzes the assessment data and prepares a report. If the report is needed for university purposes, a brief report (1–2 hours) can be provided; for a full detailed report, approximately 4 hours will be needed.
Feedback session with the individual (50 minutes) and provision of the report.

Because the process is time-consuming, requiring rigorous data collection and comprehensive consideration of factors, if conducted by a registered psychologist, there will be significant out-of-pocket costs even after partial insurance rebates. However, we have a provisional psychologist under clinical supervision who can take on some assessment cases at a much lower cost. University psychology clinics also offer such assessments at relatively lower costs.

It’s important to note that not everyone will receive an ADHD diagnosis after assessment. If there is insufficient evidence to support an ADHD diagnosis—such as symptoms not being present since childhood—we are ethically required to provide a diagnosis that best fits the individual's situation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Psychologists and counsellors can write supporting letters or certificates. However, a psychological assessment report is not a simple statement or supporting letter. It is a professional document developed through multiple assessment sessions, clinical observation, and professional judgment. These reports are often required for immigration matters, legal proceedings, school-related support, or other third-party purposes.
If a psychologist has seen you only once, they can generally document your self-reported concerns and provide observations from that session. In some cases, a provisional diagnosis may be given. However, it is difficult to form a comprehensive and well-supported assessment opinion based on a single session. Most complete psychological assessments require approximately three or more sessions.
A psychological assessment involves more than listening to what has happened. It also considers:
- Whether symptoms are consistent across different contexts
- Whether behavioural and emotional patterns are stable
- Whether psychological responses show a developmental trajectory
These elements require time and careful clinical evaluation. They cannot be determined in a single conversation.
This depends on the psychologist’s professional training. Assessing risk of reoffending typically requires specialised training in forensic psychology. Not all psychologists are qualified to conduct this type of assessment.
There is NO forensic psychologists currently consulting at Mind Body Heart Psychology.
Not necessarily. Assessments related to learning difficulties, literacy challenges, or educational functioning typically require a psychologist with training in educational psychology and the use of specific standardised assessment tools.
No.
Determining whether domestic violence has occurred is the responsibility of law enforcement and the courts. A psychologist may document whether psychological symptoms or patterns are consistent with trauma or victimisation, but cannot determine the factual occurrence of events.
Depends. It is important for the psychologist to clearly understand:
- What specific question the assessment is intended to address
- Who will be reading the report
- What decisions the report will inform
If a lawyer or migration agent is involved, we typically request written clarification outlining the scope and purpose of the assessment. This ensures that the report remains relevant and appropriately focused.
No. Determining whether domestic violence has occurred is the responsibility of law enforcement and the courts. A psychologist may document whether psychological symptoms or patterns are consistent with trauma or victimisation, but cannot determine the factual occurrence of events.
A psychological assessment is not an advocacy document. It is a professional clinical opinion.
A psychologist’s responsibility is to:
- Accurately reflect the psychological presentation observed during assessment
- Adhere to professional and ethical standards
This professional integrity is precisely why psychological reports are taken seriously by third-party institutions.