Frequently
Asked Questions
A friendly guide to help you understand our services, processes, and what to expect.
What happens in the first appointment? Insight vs Intake
The first appointment depends on whether you book an Insight Session or an Intake Appointment.
Insight Session – if you’re unsure and want to talk it through
An Insight Session is a 30-minute appointment for individuals or families who are unsure whether psychological support or assessment is needed. It provides space to discuss concerns, explore options, and consider possible next steps, without any obligation to proceed.
Intake Appointment – if you’re ready to proceed and want to get started
An Intake Appointment is the required first step before services begin. It focuses on understanding your concerns, agreeing on next steps, and putting the planning in place to begin services.
For both appointment types, any review of information or prior reports occurs within the booked session time, where relevant.
Insight Session – if you’re unsure and want to talk it through
An Insight Session is a 30-minute appointment for individuals or families who are unsure whether psychological support or assessment is needed. It provides space to discuss concerns, explore options, and consider possible next steps, without any obligation to proceed.
Intake Appointment – if you’re ready to proceed and want to get started
An Intake Appointment is the required first step before services begin. It focuses on understanding your concerns, agreeing on next steps, and putting the planning in place to begin services.
For both appointment types, any review of information or prior reports occurs within the booked session time, where relevant.
Do I need to stay for the appointment (children, adolescents, and dependent clients)?
For children, adolescents, and dependent clients, a parent or guardian is usually required to remain onsite for safety and ethical reasons.
For adolescents, attendance arrangements are discussed individually and may vary depending on age, capacity, and clinical considerations. In some cases, alternative arrangements may be agreed to in advance.
For adolescents, attendance arrangements are discussed individually and may vary depending on age, capacity, and clinical considerations. In some cases, alternative arrangements may be agreed to in advance.
Can I bring a support person?
You’re welcome to bring a support person to your appointment. You’re also welcome to bring anything that helps you feel more comfortable, such as a fidget or sensory item.
Support people may contribute to parts of the assessment such as questionnaires or background information. During standardised testing (for example, cognitive assessments), they won’t be able to assist and may be asked to step out to keep the assessment accurate and ensure the testing process is followed appropriately.
If your appointment is via telehealth, pets are welcome to join too.
Support people may contribute to parts of the assessment such as questionnaires or background information. During standardised testing (for example, cognitive assessments), they won’t be able to assist and may be asked to step out to keep the assessment accurate and ensure the testing process is followed appropriately.
If your appointment is via telehealth, pets are welcome to join too.
What if I (or my child) become tired or distracted during assessment or testing?
This is very common, particularly during longer or more demanding assessment tasks. Breaks, movement, flexible pacing, and supportive strategies are used to help people stay comfortable and engaged, and this can be discussed during the intake session.
When will I receive the document/report?
Timeframes vary depending on the type of document.
Full assessment reports are usually provided within approximately 3–4 weeks after assessment sessions are completed. Findings are reviewed in a feedback session before full reports are finalised.
Summary letters or brief written summaries are typically provided within around 2 weeks.
Individual timeframes are discussed during the intake appointment and confirmed in writing. Timeframes may be affected if required information (such as questionnaires or third-party forms) have not been received. Documents are released once full payment has been received.
Full assessment reports are usually provided within approximately 3–4 weeks after assessment sessions are completed. Findings are reviewed in a feedback session before full reports are finalised.
Summary letters or brief written summaries are typically provided within around 2 weeks.
Individual timeframes are discussed during the intake appointment and confirmed in writing. Timeframes may be affected if required information (such as questionnaires or third-party forms) have not been received. Documents are released once full payment has been received.
What if I need urgent support?
Puggle Psychology does not offer crisis or emergency support. If there is an immediate risk to safety, please call 000.
If you need urgent support at any time the following services are available 24/7:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (ages 5–25).
They can provide immediate support and help you decide on the next steps.
If you need urgent support at any time the following services are available 24/7:
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 (ages 5–25).
They can provide immediate support and help you decide on the next steps.
What’s the difference between a paediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, and clinical psychologist?
Paediatricians and psychiatrists are medical doctors who can assess, diagnose, and prescribe medication. Paediatricians work primarily with infants, children, and adolescents, focusing on physical health, development, and behaviour. Psychiatrists specialise in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions across the lifespan (children, adolescents, or adults, depending on their training).
In Australia, all psychologists complete similar core training, with some undertaking additional training to gain an AHPRA-approved endorsement in a specialist area (such as clinical psychology). Psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication. Regardless of qualifications, all psychologists must practise within their individual professional competencies.
Families may work with more than one professional to ensure well-rounded and coordinated care.
In Australia, all psychologists complete similar core training, with some undertaking additional training to gain an AHPRA-approved endorsement in a specialist area (such as clinical psychology). Psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication. Regardless of qualifications, all psychologists must practise within their individual professional competencies.
Families may work with more than one professional to ensure well-rounded and coordinated care.
Why have an ADHD assessment with a psychologist?
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and paediatricians play different roles in ADHD assessment.
A psychologist assessment focuses on understanding how ADHD affects day-to-day functioning across settings (such as home, school, work, and relationships). It involves gathering detailed history, questionnaires, and other assessment information, and provides a written report with diagnostic opinion and practical recommendations.
Psychiatrists and paediatricians are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. They complete their own medical assessment and may request or value a psychologist’s report as supporting information to help guide diagnosis and treatment, depending on their approach.
With consent, assessment findings can be shared to support coordinated care.
A psychologist assessment focuses on understanding how ADHD affects day-to-day functioning across settings (such as home, school, work, and relationships). It involves gathering detailed history, questionnaires, and other assessment information, and provides a written report with diagnostic opinion and practical recommendations.
Psychiatrists and paediatricians are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. They complete their own medical assessment and may request or value a psychologist’s report as supporting information to help guide diagnosis and treatment, depending on their approach.
With consent, assessment findings can be shared to support coordinated care.
What if medication is being considered?
Psychologists are not able to prescribe medication.
If medication is being considered (for example, for ADHD), a referral to a psychiatrist or paediatrician is required for a separate medical assessment. This is an independent process and usually involves the practitioner’s own assessment requirements, which may include additional questionnaires, interviews, fees, and wait times. They may choose to use our report as supporting information, depending on their approach.
With your consent, we can share relevant assessment findings with your GP to support a referral and help ensure continuity of care.
If medication is being considered (for example, for ADHD), a referral to a psychiatrist or paediatrician is required for a separate medical assessment. This is an independent process and usually involves the practitioner’s own assessment requirements, which may include additional questionnaires, interviews, fees, and wait times. They may choose to use our report as supporting information, depending on their approach.
With your consent, we can share relevant assessment findings with your GP to support a referral and help ensure continuity of care.
Will reports written by Puggle Psychology be accepted by the NDIS?
Psychological diagnoses and reports written by registered psychologists are recognised across Australian regulatory frameworks. However, different organisations may use or assess reports differently depending on what the report is for, the type of funding being applied for, and their internal processes. As a non-endorsed psychologist, Puggle Psychology can provide diagnostic reports that may be used for NDIS purposes when this is within scope of practice and clinical expertise. Whether a report is accepted is decided by the NDIA.
Puggle Psychology aims to provide clear, practical reports and may recommend involving other professionals if this is likely to help support funding applications or reviews.
Puggle Psychology aims to provide clear, practical reports and may recommend involving other professionals if this is likely to help support funding applications or reviews.