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NDIS Psychologist Sydney

Living with a disability — or supporting a child, partner or parent who is — often means managing goals, appointments and paperwork all at once, and it is not always clear where psychology fits into an NDIS plan.

Thinkahead is a registered NDIS provider, and our NDIS psychologists see children, adolescents and adults — and the families and carers around them — at our clinics in Frenchs Forest and Meadowbank. We provide assessments that clarify strengths and support needs, and therapeutic support that works towards the goals in your plan.

For our wider NDIS services, including daily living skills, early childhood intervention and group workshops, visit our NDIS page.

Psychological Assessments

An assessment builds a shared, evidence-based understanding of how a disability or developmental difference affects everyday life. Depending on the question, it may look at:

Autism, using observational and questionnaire-based measures such as the ADOS-2 — see our autism assessment page
Cognitive and intellectual functioning, using instruments such as the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV — see cognitive assessment
Adaptive behaviour — the practical skills a person relies on at home, at school and in the community — using tools such as the ABAS-3
Developmental delay, learning difficulties, and co-occurring emotional or behavioural concerns

You receive a written report setting out strengths, support needs and practical recommendations, which can be shared with schools, funding bodies and other professionals with your consent. It is worth stressing that a report is evidence, not a decision: access and funding are determined by the NDIS, and no assessment can guarantee a particular outcome.

Therapeutic Support Built Around Your Goals

Our therapy for NDIS participants is focused on capacity building — developing the skills and strategies that make daily life more manageable and participation more achievable. Sessions are tailored to the person and to the goals in their plan, and may focus on:

Adjusting to a new or long-standing diagnosis
Reducing the day-to-day impact of a condition at home, at school, at work or in the community
Building social and communication skills
Managing anxiety, low mood, grief or the effects of trauma
Understanding and responding to behaviours of concern, alongside our behaviour therapy team

Therapy is matched to the person, using evidence-based methods — Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and family therapy among them — see counselling for more.

Who We Work With

We support NDIS participants across the lifespan, from young children with developmental delay to adults living with a disability or mental illness. Our team has experience working with:

Autism and other developmental disabilities or delays
Intellectual disability
Anxiety and mood disorders
Grief and trauma
Behavioural difficulties
Eating disorders

Families and carers matter too: using a family systems approach, we offer them support and counselling, including information after a diagnosis and links to other services. Psychology can also work alongside our occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, behaviour support and learning support.

How It Works

Initial enquiry. Call us on 02 9981 3003 or use the form below. We talk through what you are hoping to achieve, what your plan includes, and which clinician is best matched to your needs.

First appointment. The psychologist gathers background — history, current challenges, strengths and the goals in your plan — and agrees with you whether assessment, therapy or both is the right place to start. For children, we encourage parents or carers to attend this first session on their own.

Assessment or therapy. Assessment sessions or a tailored course of therapy follow, with families, schools and other providers involved where helpful and with your consent.

Ongoing review. Progress is reviewed regularly against your goals, and strategies are adjusted as needs change.

Funding, Referrals and Fees

You do not need a referral to book with Thinkahead — you can contact us directly. If you would like to use NDIS funding, talk to us about how this works with your plan.

Other pathways may also help. A GP referral under a Mental Health Care Plan may make you eligible for Medicare rebates on some sessions, and private health insurance may cover part of the fee depending on your level of cover. See fees and rebates for current details, or read about making a referral.

Not sure how your plan applies? There is no need to have it all worked out before you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an NDIS plan to see a psychologist at Thinkahead?

No. Anyone can book directly, with or without a referral, and pay privately or claim Medicare rebates where eligible. An NDIS plan is simply one of the ways psychology can be funded, where it is included in your supports.

Can a psychological assessment report be used as evidence for the NDIS?

An assessment report can provide clear, standardised evidence of a person's diagnosis, strengths, functional impact and support needs, along with recommendations about the kinds of support that may help. Our reports are written to be used by schools, funding bodies and other professionals. Decisions about eligibility and funding rest with the NDIS, so we cannot promise a particular result.

Do I need to understand my NDIS plan before I get in touch?

No. There is no need to have it all worked out before you call. Talk to us about how this works with your plan — we can go through what you are hoping to achieve and which clinician is best matched to your needs.

Can family members and carers be involved?

Yes. Disability often affects the whole family, so we use a family systems approach and can offer support and counselling to family members and carers. For children, parents are involved from the very first appointment, and with your consent we can also work alongside schools and other providers.

Are your clinics accessible?

If you, or someone attending with you, has mobility or access requirements, let us know when you get in touch. We can talk through the arrangements at our Frenchs Forest and Meadowbank clinics before your first appointment.