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Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not here, please get in touch - we will be happy to help.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, including acute mental health crisis, please call 000 immediately.
For 24/7 crisis support in Australia:
• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Lira Psychology does not provide emergency or crisis services.
You can call or email to make a booking, or to ask questions before getting started.
Wait times for assessments vary depending on the type of assessment and current demand. Typically, our wait time is around 2-3 weeks for initial appointments.
For Telehealth Therapy, our waitlist is open. Bookings for teens and adults will likely be available from mid March 2026.
Yes. If something comes up, please contact us as soon as possible to rearrange your appointment.
Please note, cancellation fees may apply for late cancellations (<48 hours notice).
If you’re unsure, you can book an initial exploration session. We’ll talk through your concerns and decide together whether a cognitive, educational, autism, ADHD, or combined assessment is most appropriate - or whether another pathway would better suit your needs.
Yes. Psychologists are qualified to assess and diagnose Autism, ADHD, Specific Learning Disorders (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia), and other cognitive or neurodevelopmental differences.
This is a common fear. Even if a formal diagnosis isn’t made, the assessment process often provides valuable insight into strengths, patterns, and areas where support may be helpful.
No. Psychologists are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.
If you think you might like to explore medication as part of your ADHD journey, seeking diagnosis from a psychiatrist or paediatrician might be beneficial.
Yes. During the course of your assessment or therapy treatment, if another pathway (such as psychiatry or other allied health) would support your needs, this will be discussed and appropriate referrals can be provided.
However, to be referred to a psychiatrist or paediatrician for your initial Autism or ADHD assessment, a referral from your GP may support you to access funding options such as Medicare.
It means recognising neurotypes such as Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, giftedness, and other cognitive differences as natural variations in human diversity - not defects to be fixed.
Read more about this under the ABOUT tab on our website.
You'll notice this in our approach. This will include:
• Using respectful, identity-affirming language
• Valuing strengths alongside challenges
• Collaborating rather than "correcting"
• Acknowledging individuals as the expert in their lives
• Recognising masking and burnout
• Focusing on support and environmental adjustments rather than normalising
If you ever have questions or preferences around our approach or language, they are always welcome.
You'll need a quiet, private space, a stable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone access.
For assessments, we work with children as young as 4, as well as teens and adults. If your child is younger than 4, get in touch and we can work with you to find support to meet your needs.
For Telehealth therapy, we currently work with ages 12+
Yes, payment plans are available for assessment services. Please discuss this at the time of booking.
Medicare rebates may apply for eligible therapy services with a valid Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Your GP can provide you with a MHCP.
Assessment services are generally not covered under standard Medicare rebates.
Before your appointment, you'll complete online questionnaires and consent forms.
For assessments, you may be asked to provide other relevant documentation such as school or medical reports beforehand as well.
On the day, you are welcome to bring whatever you need to make the session more comfortable - this applies to both assessments and therapy.
Some people like to bring a notebook and pen to write down key things during sessions. Many like to bring a drink, snacks, fidgets, or comfort items.
For cognitive and educational assessments, if you wear glasses or contacts, please ensure to wear these or bring them with you to ensure your best performance.
No. Sessions are not recorded.
Psychologists are bound by ethical and legal standard to keep session content completely private. The only exceptions to this are if you or someone else is at risk of harm.
Psychologists are mandatory reporters, which means they are legally required to report any concerns about risk of harm to a child or vulnerable person. Wherever possible, this will be discussed with you first.
• Psychologist: Trained in assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based therapies - psychologists are scientist-practitioners. Psychologists are not medical doctors, and cannot prescribe medication. Psychologists complete 6 years of training prior to full registration.
• Psychiatrist: A medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication. Some psychiatrists may provide therapy, some do not. Psychiatrists are specialists who complete a medical degree before pursuing further specialised training in psychiatry.
• Counsellor: Provides supportive and evidence-based therapies but may not be trained in formal diagnosis or standardised assessment. Counsellors are highly skilled, and may be educated at Diploma, Bachelor, or Masters level.
No.
Lira Psychology does not provide reports, letters, or professional opinions for use in legal or court proceedings, including family law matters or disputes between parties.
Our services are intended for therapeutic and assessment purposes only and are not designed to function as medico-legal evaluations or expert witness reports.
If documentation or an expert opinion is required for legal proceedings, we recommend engaging a psychologist who specialises in medico-legal assessment and court reporting.
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