Frequently Asked Questions About Our Service

 Our therapeutic process uses neuroaffirming, trauma-informed practices to create a safe, inclusive space where you can feel truly seen and heard. My approach is practical and personalised, drawing on methods like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Narrative Therapy, and Strengths-Based approaches, tailored to your specific needs.

The AuDHD Social Worker is not a crisis service. If you are in a mental health crisis please call 000, the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or Lifeline at 13 11 14. The AuDHD Social Worker doesn't provide support related to the following as it requires more intensive support than private practice can accommodate and specialist support: acute mental health, acute eating issues, crisis support, acute substance issues, domestic and family violence, legal and court related matters/reports, housing and homelessness.

Supports will be provided at agreed-upon times either in person at the Yallah office or via telehealth. Phone support outside of sessions is only available if agreed upon in advance and will be billed pro rata. A brief email liaison with family members and stakeholders may be necessary outside of sessions, but if significant time is spent on this, it will be discussed and billed pro rata.

 The AuDHD Social Worker can provide information about NDIS and complete Section 2 of an NDIS Access Request Form. Please note that you will need a confirmation of diagnosis from a Clinical Psychologist, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist for your application. The form can be completed during a session. Additional time required to complete the form outside scheduled appointments will be agreed upon in advance and billed pro rata. Support provided outside of sessions to follow up your NDIS application with NDIA will be billed pro rata.

 As a Social Worker, I am not qualified to diagnose ADHD or Autism. My role is to provide support, guidance, and strategies that are tailored to your needs and goals.

If you suspect you may have ADHD or Autism, I encourage you to seek an assessment from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or developmental paediatrician (for younger individuals).

Depending on your location and the type of support you require, I may be able to help you find alternative services for diagnosis and assessment. Please feel free to contact me for assistance.

The AuDHD Social Worker primarily provides support to adults who are neurodivergent, with a focus on individuals with ADHD, Autism, or AuDHD.

Support for children and teenagers may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

In such instances, initial discussions with parents or guardians are required to determine whether the service is suitable and to ensure the young person’s needs can be appropriately met.

 Absolutely!

We know that within Australia (and many other Western cultures), the healthcare system is structured in a way that often makes formal diagnosis inaccessible for many individuals.

This can be due to:

• Financial barriers, such as the cost of assessments, medications, and ongoing appointments.
• Systemic challenges, including long waitlists and limited access to qualified professionals.
• The executive functioning demands of navigating the diagnostic process itself.

At The AuDHD Social Worker, we acknowledge these barriers and provide support that validates your experiences, whether you are formally diagnosed or self-identified. Our mission is to empower and uplift all neurodivergent individuals, including those navigating the complexities of ADHD, Autism, and AuDHD, without making it harder to access the support you need.

In order to practice within a neuroaffirming framework, we offer the following:

• Flexible communication methods and session durations for tailored support.
• Regular check-ins between sessions to provide accountability.
• Summary sheets after each session to reinforce key takeaways.
• Customised, research-backed resources that are tried, tested, and tailored for each individual.
• A unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience to ensure truly effective support.

Upon the initial consultation session we will discuss which options works best for you. 

We encourage you to please let us know if you require any specific accommodations to engage in our sessions, and we will do our best to meet the request. 

 As a neurodivergent practitioner, I recognise the importance of providing culturally safe, inclusive, and affirming support to every individual, particularly those from historically excluded communities. I am a white, cisgender woman, and while I am part of the neurodivergent community, I acknowledge the privileges I hold due to my racial and class background, gender identity, and the societal structures that afford me relative safety within these identities.

Commitment to Cultural Safety and Inclusivity
I actively strive to address my own privileges by educating myself on how these intersect with the unique experiences of equity-deserving individuals, such as those who are racialised, LGBTQIA+, disabled, or from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. I am committed to creating a practice environment that acknowledges and respects the systemic barriers and challenges faced by individuals from these communities. I approach each interaction with cultural humility, recognising that every person is the expert in their own life and experience.

Gender-Affirming Practice
In my practice, I firmly affirm and support gender diversity, recognising and respecting that all identities are valid and fully deserving of inclusive, affirming support. My goal is to foster a space where individuals feel safe, seen, and respected in their identities without the need to justify or explain themselves. I make it a priority to use affirming language, including correct pronouns, and to understand how each person's identity may impact their mental health and support needs.

Pronouns
My pronouns are she/her, and I strive to ensure that this information is clearly communicated so clients know how I identify. I am always open to feedback on how to improve the inclusivity and safety of my practice for all individuals.

I hope this reflection provides clarity and reassurance of my dedication to inclusive, respectful, and affirming support.

 Our cancellation and rescheduling policy is specific to the services we provide.  

Please don't hesitate to contact us should you have any questions about the cancellation and rescheduling policy.

If you need to cancel your scheduled appointment within less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged a cancellation fee unless we can reschedule within 5 business days of the date of cancellation. The exact fee will be determined based on the amount of notice provided:

• Cancellations made within 0-24 business hours notice will incur the full session fee and the option to reschedule will not be available.
• Cancellations made within 25-48 business hours notice will incur 50% of the full session fee, unless it can be rescheduled within the 5 business days of the date of cancellation. 

To avoid a fee, cancellations must be made with more than 48 hours notice. Fees waiver may be considered on compassionate grounds at the discretion of the practitioner on a case to case basis. 

In the rare event that The AuDHD Social Worker needs to cancel an appointment, such as due to illness, clients will be contacted with as much notice as possible. There will be no charge for the cancelled session. If you would like to reschedule, please contact The Audhd Social Worker, who will book you in upon return to work, offering the earliest available appointment.

AUDHD is a lifelong disability and your energy and motivation vary greatly day to day.  Being a service that combines lived experience and professional knowledge we are very much aware of this, and our services are designed to approach meaningful change with the concept of continuity over consistency.

While our service is tailored to support your varying energy levels we do ask that you first consider if you have the capacity to commit first before signing up. 

Commitment will look different for everyone, however in order for you to get the most out of our support, we ask for attendance at scheduled sessions, or sufficient notice to reschedule 

If two consecutive appointments are missed or you don't attend or book appointments for 2 months, your case will be closed. Appointments will be offered to others on our waitlist. If you wish to reengage in the future, you may need to wait until there is availability for you.

1 hour sessions cost $150 and will be processed via Halaxy, see below for further details. Fee adjustments may occur due to inflation and cost of living. Advance notice will be given. Additional services outside scheduled appointments will be agreed upon in advance and billed hourly e.g. reports, letters, phone consultations, liaison with family members and stakeholders.

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To ensure our services are accessible and affordable, fees are kept well below the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) recommended schedule of fees for private practice ($289 per hour). The AuDHD Social Worker is unable to offer bulk billing and/or reduced fees. 

• Fee-Free 15 minute Telehealth Consult: We offer an obligation, introductory chat conducted online via telehealth to answer any questions you may have and help determine if our services are the right fit for you. 
• Standard Fees: As outlined on our website, the standard session rates are as follows:
• Telehealth Fees: 
  • Initial Consultation: 
    • Telehealth - 90 minutes at $200.00 
    • In-Person - 90 minutes at $205.00
  • Regular Follow-Up Session: 
    • Telehealth - 60 minutes at $150.00
    • In-Person - 60 minutes at $155.00
  • Extended Session: 
    • Telehealth - 90 minutes at $200.00 
    • In-Person - 90 minutes at $205.00
  • Short Check-In Session: 
    • Telehealth only - 30 minutes at $80.00

Please note, in person sessions incur an additional surcharge due to overhead costs.

Unfortunately we are currently not able to charge through NDIS or Medicare so all appointments are charged out-of-pocket.

Payment Methods and Surcharge: You agree to pay the session fees via Halaxy, including a processing surcharge of 1.90% + $1.00 (e.g., approximately $3.85 for a $150.00 charge) for credit or debit card payments. 

We understand that it is important to find the right support and we know first hand what is it like being locked in a contract when you have changed your mind. 

We offer a 15 min fee & obligation-free chat for you to ask any questions you may have about our services before working with us. This can be booked here.

Unfortunately we do not refund for any services provided by The ADHD Social Worker. 

The AuDHD Social Worker  will keep all information shared and communicated by you before, during and after sessions private and confidential unless:

• There is a serious concern for your or someone else’s safety, particularly if a child is at risk of serious harm
• If there is a legal obligation relating to your involvement in, or knowledge of, a serious crime, 
• if there is a court order requesting information about you.
• If you request for me to provide information to a third party.

The AuDHD Social Worker will keep all records and notes pertaining to any sessions attended by you in a secure location, to which only authorised personnel have access. 

The AuDHD Social Worker cannot and is under no obligation to ensure that any other person attending a group session maintains confidentiality of information shared by you during a group session and The AuDHD Social Worker is under no circumstances liable to you in any way whatsoever for any sharing (howsoever it occurs) of your information by another group session attendee.

A privacy policy is a legal document that outlines how an organization collects, uses, and safeguards personal information, providing transparency to users about data practices and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. You can find our privacy policy here or by accessing the policy at the footer of the website. 

Should you have concerns about how we handle the privacy of your personal information, kindly reach out to us via  the details in our contact page.  All complaints will be thoroughly reviewed and we may request additional information for clarification. 

If we agree that your complaint is well founded, we will work collaboratively with you to implement suitable measures to address the issue. If, however, you are not satisfied with the resolution, you retain the option to escalate the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. 

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