Psychological assessments with registered psychologists
A psychological assessment is a structured process in which a registered psychologist gathers detailed information about how you think, feel, learn and behave. It goes well beyond a standard counselling session and finishes with a written report and personalised recommendations.
Psychologists in attendance at our Centre assess adults and young people. Please call our reception team to confirm which assessments are available for each age group and to book an initial appointment. Weekday appointments are available.
Written and clinically reviewed by Natascha Madden, Registered Psychologist (AHPRA reg. PSY0000953827), Brisbane Counselling Centre. Last reviewed: October 2026
What does a psychological assessment involve?
Whilst the specific tools vary depending on what is being assessed, every assessment follows a similar, structured, multi-method process. It typically involves:
- a clinical interview about your history and current concerns
- standardised tests that measure what is happening for you
- questionnaires and self-report measures
- input from family members, partners, teachers or others who know you well, where appropriate
- a review of relevant medical, educational and developmental history
Your psychologist then scores and interprets the results, brings all of the information together and writes a detailed report. The report explains the findings in plain language, states any diagnosis reached, and sets out recommendations. These may include therapy, referrals, practical strategies, and adjustments for work, university or school.
What concerns can a pscyhological assessment look at?
ADHD
Long-standing difficulties with attention, organisation, impulsivity or follow-through that affect work, study, relationships or home life. See our page on ADHD assessment and support in Brisbane.
Autism (ASD)
Differences in social communication, sensory experience, routines and flexibility of thinking. Autism is often missed or recognised late, particularly in adults and in women and girls.
Specific learning disorders
Dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia involve persistent difficulty with reading, writing, spelling or maths that is unexpected given a person’s effort and ability. An assessment documents the pattern and can support access to adjustments at school and university.
Cognitive and emotional functioning
Sometimes the question is how someone learns and processes information, or whether anxiety, depression or the effects of trauma sit behind long-standing difficulties. Many people begin with counselling rather than a formal assessment, and your psychologist will help you decide which pathway suits you.
If your question is not listed here, call our reception team. We will help you work out the right next step, which may or may not be a formal assessment.
Who might benefit from a psychological assessment?
People seek assessments for many different reasons, including:
- long-standing difficulties with attention, organisation or follow-through
- wanting to understand a previous diagnosis more fully
- a GP or specialist requesting a psychological opinion
- a young person struggling at school despite effort and support already in place
- needing documentation for education so that appropriate adjustments can be made
- ongoing difficulties in relationships that have never quite made sense
If you are unsure whether an assessment is what you need, you do not have to work that out alone. Our reception team can talk it through with you.
How does a psychological assessment work, step by step?
- Initial enquiry and booking. Call our reception team to discuss what you are looking for. They will suggest the next step, confirm the fees and book an initial appointment with a psychologist, who will determine whether an assessment is the right course of action. A referral from a GP or specialist is not needed to begin.
- Clinical interview. Your psychologist will have a detailed conversation with you about your history, your current concerns and how they affect daily life, relationships, work and study. This is not a test. There are no right or wrong answers. For young people, parents are often interviewed separately before the young person is seen, depending on their age.
- Standardised testing. You or your child will complete a range of validated tests, chosen according to what is being assessed. These may include cognitive tasks, attention and memory measures, academic achievement tests, and personality or mood questionnaires. Most testing is done by your psychologist in a quiet, comfortable room.
- Scoring, integration and report writing. Your psychologist scores and interprets all of the results, combines them with the information from your interview and history, and writes a comprehensive clinical report.
- Feedback and recommendations. You meet with your psychologist to receive the written report and talk through the findings in plain language. This session covers what the results mean for everyday life, any diagnosis reached, and a tailored set of recommendations for therapy, referrals, strategies, or adjustments at work, university or school.
Every assessment is individualised to your needs and to what is happening for you.
How long does an assessment take and what does it cost?
The time and cost depend on the type of assessment:
- ADHD assessment: approximately 6 hours in total, across a number of sessions. Fees start from $2,500 plus GST.
- Autism (ASD) assessment: approximately 6 hours in total, across a number of sessions. Fees start from $2,500 plus GST.
- Cognitive assessment: approximately 7 hours in total, across a number of sessions. Fees start from $2,200 plus GST.
Our reception team will confirm the total cost before you commit to an assessment. Medicare rebates for assessments are limited and depend on the type of assessment and who refers you, so please ask when you call.
How to prepare for your psychological assessment
A small amount of preparation makes a real difference to the quality of the assessment and to how useful the outcome is for you.
- Aim for a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast before your appointment.
- Bring or email any previous reports, school records, specialist letters or earlier assessments.
- Make a list of how the difficulties affect your daily life, including activities, relationships, work and study.
- Complete any questionnaires you are asked to do at home as soon as you can.
- Avoid scheduling anything demanding before or after your appointment.
Your psychologist will let you know if anything else is needed.
What a psychological assessment gives you
An assessment at Brisbane Counselling Centre is not only about reaching a diagnosis. It is about understanding what is happening for you so that you can make useful changes.
- Answers to long-standing questions. Many people live for years with a sense that something is different without knowing what or why. A formal assessment replaces uncertainty with clarity.
- Access to supports and services. A written report can support NDIS applications, university access plans, workplace adjustments, school-based funding and specialist referrals. Each organisation decides what it will accept, so check their requirements first.
- Better outcomes for families and partners. When parents, teachers and partners understand what is happening for someone, expectations and strategies can change, which reduces frustration and improves life at home, school, university and work.
- A clear way forward. Specific recommendations, such as therapy, adjustments or strategies, give you something concrete to act on.
- Less self-blame. Understanding a neurological or psychological basis for long-standing difficulties shifts the story from personal failure to informed self-awareness, which can make a real difference to mental health.
How do I book a psychological assessment in Brisbane?
- Please call (07) 3831 4452 or complete our enquiry form. Our reception team will talk through what you are looking for, confirm fees and suggest a suitable psychologist. You do not need a referral to book.
- Attend your initial appointment. Your psychologist will talk with you about your concerns and confirm whether a formal assessment is the right next step. Ask our reception team whether a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan may help with a rebate for this first appointment.
- Complete your assessment and feedback session. Bring any previous reports and your Medicare card.
Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, near the Brisbane CBD, about five minutes’ walk from Central Station. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Meet the psychologists and counsellors or read about what a typical session looks like.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral for a psychological assessment in Brisbane?
How much does a psychological assessment cost in Brisbane?
Does Medicare cover a psychological assessment?
How long does a psychological assessment take?
Can a psychologist diagnose ADHD or autism?
What is the difference between a psychological assessment and counselling?
Will my report be accepted by my school, university, workplace or the NDIS?
Can children and teenagers be assessed?
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Is what I share in an assessment confidential?
Can I do any of the assessment online?
Where are you located and is there parking?
Help is available
If you think you may need a psychological assessment, or you are unsure what to do next, we can help at Brisbane Counselling Centre. Talking to a caring professional will help ease your mind and clarify the best next steps. Take the courageous step and reach out today.
Please call to speak with our reception team or send us a message. The Brisbane psychologists and counsellors are available to help.
If you need urgent support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, available 24 hours. In an emergency, call 000.
