Diagnostic assessment by telehealth
Telehealth Psychology Australia (THPA) offers diagnostic and clinical assessment by secure video, anywhere in Australia. It is for people who want a clearer understanding of what they are experiencing, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress or adjustment difficulties, and of what may help.
It is a psychological assessment by a Registered Psychologist, not a psychiatric one, and we do not prescribe medication.
What does a diagnostic assessment look at?
The common mental health presentations: anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress and adjustment difficulties among them. People come when they are unsure what they are dealing with, when a GP has suggested it, or when earlier treatment has not fitted and they want to step back and look again.
The result is a formulation, which is a plain account of what is happening and why, a diagnostic impression where the findings support one, and recommendations for treatment or support. An assessment describes a point in time, not a fixed or permanent label, and individual experiences vary.
Your assessment would be conducted by one of our Registered Psychologists, registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA, holding general registration.
What it is, and is not
- A psychological assessment, with findings and recommendations explained to you.
- Not a psychiatric assessment. We do not prescribe or review medication.
- Not an autism, cognitive (IQ) or neuropsychological assessment. We do not offer those.
- If you are wondering about ADHD, see ADHD assessment.
What does a diagnostic assessment involve?
Every assessment is shaped around the person, so your psychologist confirms the plan with you before it begins.
- 01
Get in touch
Tell us briefly what you are seeking an assessment for, so we can confirm whether we are the right fit.
- 02
Plan the assessment
Your psychologist outlines the purpose, the likely number of sessions, what information is useful to gather, and the cost, in writing, before you commit.
- 03
Clinical interview
By secure video: what is happening now, your history, and a mental state assessment. Some assessments need more than one session.
- 04
Questionnaires
Where useful, you complete validated questionnaires online before or between sessions. They are used alongside the interview, not in place of it.
- 05
Findings
Your psychologist talks the findings and recommendations through with you and, where a written report is part of the assessment, prepares one. With your consent, a copy can go to your GP or another provider.
What does a diagnostic assessment cost?
There is no single figure, because the number of sessions and whether a report is included depend on what is being assessed. You are told the total in writing before you commit.
- A written quote first. Your psychologist tells you the likely number of sessions and the total cost before anything is booked, so there are no surprises.
- Medicare. Medicare's Better Access initiative rebates eligible psychological treatment sessions when you have a valid Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP. A standalone assessment and written report is generally a private service and is usually not covered by a Medicare rebate. We explain what applies to you before you commit.
- NDIS and WorkCover. Where an assessment is to be funded under NDIS or WorkCover, it needs to be approved in advance by your plan manager, support coordinator or case manager.
Diagnostic assessment, answered
Questions people ask before an assessment. If yours is not here, email admin@thpa.au.
A structured way of working out what is going on and what may help. It draws on a clinical interview, your history, a mental state assessment and validated questionnaires, and leads to a formulation, a diagnostic impression where appropriate, and recommendations for treatment or support.
No. It is a psychological assessment by a Registered Psychologist. Psychologists are not medical practitioners and do not prescribe medication. Where a psychiatric opinion or a medication review is needed, your GP can refer you to a psychiatrist.
It depends on what is being assessed and whether a written report is included, so we do not publish one figure. Your psychologist tells you the likely number of sessions and the total cost in writing before you commit.
It depends on what is being assessed. Some assessments are completed in one session. Others take more than one, plus time for questionnaires and, where one is included, a written report. Your psychologist gives you an estimate before you start.
Where a report is part of the assessment, yes. We tell you in advance whether a report is included and what it will cost. With your consent, a copy can be sent to your GP or another provider.
Not always. You can refer yourself for a private assessment. If you want to use a Medicare rebate for eligible treatment sessions, you need a GP referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan.
No. An assessment gives a diagnostic impression only where the findings support one. Either way, your psychologist explains what they found and what they recommend.
Ready when you are
Tell us briefly what you would like assessed and how you would like to be contacted. We will reply to confirm whether we are the right fit, and send a written quote before anything is booked.
A 2-minute enquiry · a reply usually within one to two business days · no health details needed