Maybe your child's teacher has gently suggested an assessment. Maybe you've spent months wondering whether the meltdowns, missed instructions, or reading struggles are "just a phase". Or maybe you're an adult who is ready to talk to someone about anxiety, grief, or low mood.
Whatever brought you here, finding a psychologist can feel like a lot. There are hundreds of options and a confusing mix of titles. And it matters that you get it right.
This guide walks you through how to choose the right psychologist, what the different titles mean, which questions to ask before you book, and what to do if the fit isn't right. Whether you want a psychologist in Melbourne or open to telehealth, you'll know what to look for in a psychologist by the end.
Start by being honest about what you need
Before you compare clinics, get clear on what you need. The right therapist for you depends on what you need help with, and not every psychologist offers every service.
Ask yourself:
Do you need an assessment, ongoing therapy, or both? An ADHD assessment or autism assessment is a set of tests and interviews that can lead to a diagnosis. Therapy is ongoing support. Some clinics focus more on one than the other.
Who is it for? A psychologist who works mostly with adults may not be the best match for a seven-year-old, and vice versa.
What will happen after? If your child's school wants a report, check that the psychologist gives written advice the school can use, such as ideas for an Individual Learning Plan.
What can you fit in? Think about budget, travel, and how often you can attend.
Then compare your list with what each psychologist offers. A great psychologist who doesn't do the work you need still isn't the right fit. Most practices list their services online. You can see ours on our services page.
Understand the different qualifications
Titles in mental health can be confusing, and they don't all mean the same thing. Here's a plain-English guide to who's who in Australia.
In the top row, each title builds on the training of the one before. Counsellors and psychiatrists are not registered as psychologists. Psychiatrists are medical doctors instead.
A few things worth knowing:
An endorsement isn't a requirement for good care. It shows extra formal training in one area. Many experienced psychologists without an endorsement do high-quality assessments and therapy. What matters most is whether their training and experience match your needs.
Extra training counts too. All registered psychologists must keep learning every year. Many also train in set assessment tools for ADHD, autism, thinking skills, or learning. Ask which tools they use and why.
You can check anyone's registration. Every AHPRA-registered psychologist appears on the free public register at ahpra.gov.au, including any endorsements or conditions.
Decoding the letters after a psychologist's name
Clinic websites often list a string of titles and short forms after a psychologist's name. Here's what the most common ones mean.
Term | What it means |
|---|---|
AHPRA registered / registered psychologist | Holds current registration with the Psychology Board of Australia through AHPRA. Required to use the title "psychologist" |
Provisional psychologist | Registered, but still completing supervised training |
Registrar | A registered psychologist completing supervised practice towards an endorsement |
Clinical Psychologist | Holds an AHPRA area of practice endorsement in clinical psychology |
Educational & Developmental Psychologist | Holds an AHPRA endorsement in educational and developmental psychology, with a focus on learning, growth, and wellbeing at every age |
BAPsych, BPsych, BPsychSc, BA (Psych) | An undergraduate (bachelor's) degree in psychology |
Hons, GradDipPsychAdv | A fourth year of approved psychology study, either honours or an advanced graduate diploma |
MPsych, MClinPsych, MEdDevPsych | A master's degree in psychology. The letters after the "M" show the area, e.g. MEdDevPsych is a Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology |
DPsych, PhD | A doctorate, the highest level of university study |
MAPS, FAPS | Member or Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. Joining is optional and separate from AHPRA registration |
Board-approved supervisor | Approved by the Psychology Board to supervise psychologists in training |
Putting it together, a listing like "Educational & Developmental Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist · BAPsych · GradDipPsychAdv · MEdDevPsych · AHPRA registered" tells you the psychologist has a psychology degree, a fourth year of advanced study, and a master's in educational and developmental psychology. It also tells you they're registered with AHPRA and hold two endorsements.
At Fielding Feelings, our principal psychologist Megan Fielding is an AHPRA-registered psychologist, endorsed in both educational and developmental psychology and clinical psychology. Her work focuses on detailed assessments for all ages. You can read more about her background on our about page.
What neuroaffirming means in psychology
You'll see the word neuroaffirming on a lot of clinic websites. It means the psychologist sees ADHD, autism, and other kinds of neurodivergence as natural differences in how a brain works. They are not something broken that needs fixing.
In practice, a neuroaffirming psychologist will usually:
describe a person's strengths alongside their challenges, in reports and in conversation
focus on wellbeing, self-understanding, and practical supports, rather than teaching someone to hide their differences or "act normal"
change the room and the way they talk to suit the person, such as offering breaks, movement, or a quieter space
respect the language the person or family prefers, whether that's "autistic person" or "person with autism"
involve the child or adult in decisions about their own care.
Neuroaffirming doesn't mean avoiding a diagnosis. A thorough ADHD assessment or autism assessment still uses standard tests and expert judgement. The difference is how the process feels and how the results are explained.
This matters to us personally. Megan talks openly about having ADHD and autism herself, so she understands the assessment process from both sides of the room. You can learn more about how we approach ADHD assessments on our website.
Your first session should feel like a conversation, not an interrogation
Your first session is a chance for you to get to know the psychologist, as well as for them to get to know you. Yes, they'll ask about history, concerns, and goals. But a good first appointment should also leave room for your questions and your gut feeling.
Signs the fit is promising:
You feel listened to, not rushed through a checklist.
They explain what will happen next and why, in language you understand.
They're upfront about what they can and can't help with.
If your child comes along, they seem fairly relaxed, or the psychologist helps them settle.
It's normal to feel nervous, and one session won't tell you everything. Still, if you leave feeling judged, confused, or unheard, that's useful information.
If you're looking for ongoing support rather than an assessment, our therapy page explains what sessions with us look like.
Location still matters, but telehealth widens your options
These days, many psychologists offer telehealth for some or all of their sessions. For therapy, that can make it much easier to fit appointments around work, school pick-ups, and everything else.
Location still matters in a few situations:
Assessments often need in-person time. Thinking-skills testing, learning assessments, and parts of an autism assessment usually work best face-to-face. Check how much can happen online.
Some people simply prefer the room. Children especially can find it easier to connect in person.
Travel adds up. A long drive every fortnight can make it harder to stick with therapy.
If you're searching for a psychologist in Melbourne, look for a clinic that's easy to get to. Then ask which services they offer by telehealth. Our practice is in Hawthorn East. We offer therapy by telehealth, and some parts of our assessments can be done online too. You can get in touch to ask what can happen online and what needs to happen in the room.
Questions to ask before you book
A quick phone call or email before you book can save you time, money, and stress. Here are the questions to ask that tell you the most.
About cost
What is the total cost, including every session, scoring, the written report, and the feedback appointment?
Will I get a written quote before we start?
Can I claim a Medicare rebate, and do I need a GP referral or Mental Health Care Plan first?
Is there a cancellation fee?
About timing
What is your current wait time for a first appointment?
How many appointments will the process take, and over how many weeks?
About the process
What experience do you have with my concern or my child's age group?
Which assessment tools do you use?
Will you work with my child's school, kindergarten, or other health professionals?
What will the report include, and will it have practical recommendations?
For assessments in particular, it helps to know exactly what's covered. Our assessments page outlines each type we offer. That includes specific learning disorder assessments for reading, writing, and maths difficulties. If a school or paediatrician has wider questions about development, we also offer intellectual disability assessments.
We believe you should know what you'll pay before you walk in the door. That's why our prices are published on our fees page, and we give you a quote before any assessment begins.
Should you just go by reviews?
Online reviews can be helpful, but they only tell part of the story.
Reviews are good at showing you how a practice runs day to day. Is reception friendly? Do they reply to emails? Is the waiting room comfortable? Are appointments on time?
What reviews can't tell you is whether a psychologist will be the right fit for you or your child. Everyone's needs are different. A five-star experience for one family may not match yours. Psychologists also have strict privacy rules, so they usually can't reply to reviews in detail, even when there's more to the story.
You may also notice that psychology clinic websites don't share patient stories about results. That's because AHPRA's rules don't allow psychologists to use testimonials about clinical care or outcomes in their advertising, including on their own website. Clinics can share feedback about things like friendly staff or easy parking, but not about how treatment worked. So a website without clinical reviews isn't a red flag. It's a sign the clinic is following the rules.
Use reviews as one input. Then check registration, ask your questions, and trust how the first conversation feels. Your GP, paediatrician, or child's school can also be a good place to start. They often know which local clinics families feel comfortable with.
What to do if it doesn't feel like the right fit
Sometimes, even after doing your homework, the fit isn't right. That's okay, and it's more common than you might think. Psychologists know this, and a good one won't take it personally.
Here's how to handle it:
Give it a fair go, if you can. The first one or two sessions can feel awkward while you build trust. If something specific bothers you, it's worth raising.
Say what isn't working. Often a small change, like a different approach, pace, or session format, makes a real difference. Your psychologist would rather know.
Ask for a referral. If it's still not right, ask them to recommend someone who may suit you better. Psychologists often know colleagues with different strengths.
Check your paperwork. If you're using a Mental Health Care Plan, ask your GP if you need a new referral. With your permission, records and reports can be shared with your new psychologist, so you don't have to start again.
Keep copies of assessment reports. If you or your child has already been assessed, keep a copy of the full report. It may help a new psychologist understand the history.
Changing psychologists isn't a failure. It's a sign you're taking your wellbeing, or your child's, seriously.
TL;DR
Know what you need first. Assessment, therapy, or both? For a child, a teen, or an adult?
Check qualifications. Choose an AHPRA-registered psychologist if you want Medicare rebates or a formal diagnosis. An endorsement shows extra training, but experience with your needs matters just as much.
Look for neuroaffirming care if neurodivergence is part of the picture.
Expect a two-way first session. You should feel heard, not grilled.
Consider telehealth, but remember many assessments need in-person time.
Ask questions before you book, especially about the total cost, wait times, and what's included.
Use reviews as a guide, not the whole decision.
It's okay to switch if the fit isn't right.
Still have questions? Our FAQ page covers the things families ask us most.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I picked a psychologist that isn't the right fit?
Start by telling them what isn't working. Small changes can make a big difference. If it still doesn't feel right, ask for a referral to someone who may suit you better. If you're using a Mental Health Care Plan, check with your GP if you need a new referral. With your permission, your records can be shared with your new psychologist.
What does neuroaffirming actually mean?
Neuroaffirming care sees ADHD, autism, and other kinds of neurodivergence as differences, not defects. A neuroaffirming psychologist looks at strengths as well as challenges and adapts sessions to suit the person. They focus on understanding and support, not on changing who someone is. Assessments still use careful, evidence-based tools. You can read how this shapes our autism assessments on our website.
Can I claim psychology on Medicare?
Often, yes. With a GP referral and a Mental Health Care Plan (now officially called a Mental Health Treatment Plan), eligible people can claim a Medicare rebate for up to 10 individual therapy sessions each calendar year. The rebate usually covers part of the fee, so expect an out-of-pocket gap.
Assessments work differently. ADHD assessments usually don't get a Medicare rebate. Some autism assessments for children and young people may get a partial rebate with a referral from a paediatrician or psychiatrist. It depends on who is eligible. Medicare rules change from time to time, so ask us or your referrer what applies to you. Either way, we'll give you a quote showing the full cost before we begin.
