Resources · Your First Appointment
Your First Appointment:
Assessment guide
Your first assessment appointment
Your first appointment is a conversation about what you are hoping to understand. It helps your clinician recommend an assessment pathway suited to you or your child.
Before your appointment
- Complete the service agreement and any forms the clinic sends you.
- Send available referrals, previous reports or relevant records.
- Write down your main concerns, goals and questions.
Joining us
- For North Lakes appointments, arrive with time to settle in.
- For online appointments, use a private space, reliable internet and a suitable device.
- Allow 90 minutes unless the clinic advises otherwise.
During the conversation
- Discuss current concerns, history, strengths and everyday functioning.
- Explain why the assessment is being considered and what you need from it.
- Ask questions about the likely process, report and next steps.
After the appointment
- Your clinician recommends an individualised assessment pathway.
- The clinic confirms the proposed sessions, report inclusions and tailored quote.
- You can decide whether you would like to proceed.
Assessment guide
Your assessment journey
Every assessment is tailored to the person and its purpose. This is the usual pathway; your clinician will explain which steps apply to you.
Enquiry and clinician matching
- Tell us what you are hoping to understand.
- We help identify a clinician with the relevant service, age range and delivery option.
Initial appointment
- Discuss concerns, history, strengths, goals and the reason for the assessment.
- The appointment is usually 90 minutes.
Personalised plan and quote
- Your clinician recommends the assessment components required.
- The clinic confirms the scope, documentation, likely timing and tailored quote before you proceed.
Information and assessment sessions
- Complete the interviews, questionnaires or standardised measures selected for you.
- With consent, relevant reports or information from family, school or other sources may be considered.
Feedback and documentation
- Meet with your clinician to discuss the findings and whether diagnostic criteria are met.
- Receive the agreed written report or other documentation if it forms part of the assessment scope.
Recommendations and next steps
- Review practical recommendations and relevant supports.
- Share the report with other professionals or organisations where appropriate and with your consent.
Assessing for ADHD? See our comprehensive ADHD assessments for children, teenagers and adults.
Therapy guide
Your first therapy appointment
Your first appointment is a chance to get to know your therapist, discuss what has brought you in and begin identifying what you would like to change.
Before your appointment
- Complete the service agreement and any forms the clinic sends you.
- Send available referrals or relevant reports.
- Note the concerns, priorities or questions you would like to discuss.
- Bring any glasses, hearing aids, communication tools or sensory supports you use.
Joining us
- For North Lakes appointments, arrive with enough time to settle in.
- For online appointments, use a private space, reliable internet and a suitable device.
- For telephone appointments, keep your phone nearby and make sure the clinic has the correct number.
- Allow the appointment time shown in your booking confirmation.
During the conversation
- Talk about current concerns, circumstances, strengths and what matters to you.
- Begin identifying priorities and goals for therapy.
- Ask questions about privacy, the therapy approach and what future sessions may involve.
After the appointment
- Your therapist may suggest questionnaires, resources, between-session practice or other supports.
- Arrange follow-up appointments if you would like to continue.
- Let your therapist know what helped you feel comfortable and what could work better next time.
Therapy guide
Your therapy journey
Therapy is collaborative and rarely follows a perfectly straight line. This guide shows a common pathway; you and your therapist will adapt it to your needs.
Enquiry and clinician matching
- Tell us what kind of support you are looking for.
- We help identify a clinician whose experience, age range and delivery options suit your needs.
Getting to know each other
- Discuss what has brought you to therapy, your circumstances and your strengths.
- Your therapist explains their approach and may recommend other supports or assessment where appropriate.
Shared goals and plan
- Agree on the areas you would like to work on and what meaningful progress may look like.
- Discuss session frequency, practical strategies and any safety or support planning needed.
Ongoing therapy
- Use regular sessions to develop insight, practise skills and work towards your goals.
- Your therapist may suggest resources or activities between appointments.
Reviewing progress
- Regularly discuss what is helping, what is not and whether your goals have changed.
- Questionnaires or other feedback tools may be used when useful.
Ending well and staying supported
- Plan how you will maintain progress, recognise warning signs and use your support network.
- Reduce or finish sessions collaboratively, with a future check-in or booster session if helpful.
