Psychology
Through a range of non-pharmaceutical strategies and therapies psychologists aim to manage distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. In today’s fast paced life, stress and disharmony can cloud the experience of a balanced, enjoyable life.
Our clinicians have extensive training in human behaviour and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty regulating or understanding their emotions, thinking and behaviour including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood disorders.
Individual Therapy
The team at Minding Family are trained in the delivery of a range of techniques and therapies with demonstrated effectiveness (evidence-based interventions). They have expertise in applying and developing individually tailored therapy for differing presenting concerns for children, adolescents and adults, such as:
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The recommended fee for a therapy session as set by the Australian Psychological Society is $300 (46min to 60min). We do not charge this full amount.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists (OTs) help individuals manage and live with chronic health conditions and developmental disabilities. They are experts in the relationships between what people do and their health and well-being and devise interventions to help make everyday living easier.
They help manage ongoing symptoms – both physical and mental – and prevent complications by building knowledge and skills, finding alternative ways of doing activities and sometimes changing the environment to suit the individual’s needs and disability.
OTs can also prescribe, when necessary, devices and therapy equipment to help the individual complete activities. They also help use the device in the best way to ensure a total solution not just a product.
Familial Therapy
Familial therapy typically views the systems of interaction in the family unit as important in maintaining psychological health, targeting family relationships to foster growth and development.
We are also excited to say that we are developing new strategies and techniques for Parent / Teen family therapy especially for families where there is an ADHD.
Relationship Counselling
Relationship counselling aims to support couples in developing strategies for dealing with everyday life issues, such as communication problems, relationship conflict, intimacy and parenting issues, relationship breakdown, self-esteem issues, and stress.
Diagnostic / Psychometric Assessment
Diagnostic / psychometric assessments aim to measure an individual’s strengths and difficulties in their cognitive and behavioural / emotional functioning. These assessments measure a range of abilities, such as developmental progress, general intellect, academic skills, language, visual-spatial skills, learning and memory, attention and concentration, motor and sensory skills, higher level executive functioning (e.g. problem-solving, reasoning), as well as mood and behaviour.
The following are typical reasons for a referral from your specialist for a Diagnostic or Neurocognitive Assessment:
- Early Developmental Baselines / Anomalies following Delays / Birth complications
- Autism Spectrum Conditions
- Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorders
- Intellectual Disabilities / Global Developmental Delays
- Learning Difficulties / Disorders
- Neurological Conditions (Traumatic Brain Injury; Stroke)
- Assessments for Competency for Legal purposes
Assessment Guidelines:
The recommended fee for an assessment session as set by the Australian Psychological Society is $563 (91min to 120min). We do not charge this full amount.
We pride ourselves on providing a thorough evidence-based approach to Diagnostic / Psychometric assessments and consider it a privilege to be a part of the team caring for you or your child’s mental health and wellbeing. The specific referral question and the age of the individual will help determine which combination of the following assessments need to be completed. Please be advised, however, that we rarely complete one of these assessments on their own as that would not provide a full strengths-based neurocognitive profile.
Currently the only assessment sessions that will attract a Medicare rebate are those that are part of the assessment for a possible Autism Spectrum Disorder referred from your Paediatrician or Paediatric Psychiatrist. This has to be completed before the age of 13years to attract a Medicare Rebate. Further information can be provided from our reception staff.
The approach for referral questions for children such as a possible Learning Disorder, Cognitive Deficit, or Attention Deficit Disorder would involve two initial therapy sessions for a comprehensive developmental intake and evaluation (one with parents and one with child/adolescent). This is to ensure that the child is familiar and comfortable with the process and surroundings and is introduced to the environment before beginning testing. Once again depending on the referral question, the assessments could include:
- Cognitive Assessment (91 – 120 mins)
- Academic Assessment (91 – 120 mins)
- Neuropsychological Assessment (91 – 120 mins)
- School based Observation
- A specific selection of questionnaires will be included
When testing for a possible Autism Spectrum Disorder, there would be an additional assessment:
- ADOS (2 clinicians) (91 – 120 mins)
Following a full collation of results, a comprehensive Assessment Report will be prepared, and a feedback session will be organised by our reception staff. Fees will apply for both the feedback session and the report:
- Assessment Report (5 – 7 hrs)
- Assessment Report with an ADOS (6 – 8 hrs)
Group therapy and training
The Minding Family team is currently updating some group-based interventions for Parenting Supports; Psychoeducational information around developmental disorders; Training Programmes for Support Workers; Adult Anxiety Groups as well as Self Esteem; Social Skills; and Study Skills. We’re also excited to let you know that we have a series of Body Image and Body Health programmes to be run throughout the year.
Our clinicians are all NDIS (National Disabilities Insurance Scheme) approved / accredited.