Neuroaffirming Therapy and Psychology for Children

We take a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach. That means we see every child's brain as a valid and valuable way of experiencing the world, not something to be fixed. Before anything else, your psychologist takes the time to get to know your child as a person: what they love, what worries them, how they communicate, and what helps them feel comfortable.

Therapy is then tailored to your child and your family. Sessions are paced to suit your child, and parents and carers are involved so that what happens in the room carries into everyday life. Goals are set together and reviewed as your child grows and changes.

The psychology team at Hunter Children's Clinics supports children and young people with a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Every psychology journey begins with an initial consultation, which allows our team to gain a comprehensive understanding of your child or young person's needs and ascertain the most appropriate therapeutic treatment plan. Your psychologist will discuss next steps with you at the conclusion of your initial consultation.

Alongside therapy, the psychology team provides individually tailored psychological assessments, including cognitive and IQ assessments, adaptive assessments, assessments for specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia, giftedness assessments, and ADHD-related psychometric assessment. For full details, including the assessment types, the pathway and how the report can be used, please see our dedicated psychological assessments page.

For autism, we take a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach using the MIGDAS-2 where possible, with ADOS-2 and ADI-R available where clinically indicated. Autism assessment has its own dedicated autism assessment page.

• Therapy:
• While a referral is not required to access psychological therapy, a GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan allows clients to claim Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year.
• Initial consultation (intake): $260
• Therapy session with psychologist: $260 per hour

Assessment fees are set out on our psychological assessments page.

Every psychology journey at Hunter Children's Clinics begins with an initial intake session. For younger children this session is parent only, which means the psychologist meets with you without your child present. This gives the psychologist the time and space to hear your history, understand your concerns, and ask detailed questions, so that the plan for your child is well informed from the start.

In practical terms, the psychologist uses the intake to gather background information, clarify what you are hoping to achieve, and recommend the most appropriate next steps, whether that is therapy, an assessment, or another form of support. The intake fee is set out in the fees section above.

The parent-only intake exists because the early information you provide shapes everything that follows. On occasion, where a child has been referred internally and the case conference team already holds the relevant background, the intake may be waived. Your psychologist will let you know if this applies to your child.

Related reading: supporting your child through a psychology assessment and what to expect from a parent-only intake session. Our resources for families page also lists trusted support organisations.

Our psychology team

Psychology at Hunter Children's Clinics is provided by Grace Palmer and Samuel McLellan-Hall.

Do I need a GP referral to see a child psychologist?

A GP referral is not required to book an initial psychology consultation, an assessment, or therapy, although it can be helpful. If you would like to claim Medicare rebates for therapy, you will need a GP referral and a Mental Health Treatment Plan.

What is a parent-only intake session?

It is the initial session that begins every psychology journey. For younger children it is held with the parent or carer only, so the psychologist can gather a full history and recommend the most appropriate next steps before working with your child.

Does Medicare cover psychology?

A GP referral and Mental Health Treatment Plan allow clients to claim Medicare rebates for up to 10 therapy sessions per calendar year. Medicare does not provide a rebate for psychological assessments with a GP referral, though for autism assessments rebates are available where the assessment is referred by a paediatrician. The resulting report may also be used as evidence to support funding.

What assessments does the psychology team offer?

The psychology team at Hunter Children's Clinics offers cognitive and IQ assessments, learning assessments for specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia, giftedness assessments, and behavioural assessments, described in full on our psychological assessments page. Autism assessment has its own dedicated autism assessment page.