Frequently Asked Questions

A Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar is a fully qualified, registered psychologist who is completing a structured, board‑approved period of advanced supervised practice to gain an “Area of Practice Endorsement” in Clinical Neuropsychology. Registrars work independently with clients while receiving regular supervision and support from experienced endorsed psychologists, helping them further develop advanced skills in assessment and therapy. They provide evidence‑based care and meet the same professional and ethical standards required of all registered psychologists. A Clinical Neuropsychology Registrar has undergone 6+ years of university with formal training in:

- Functional Neuroanatomy (i.e., brain structures and functions including cognition, behaviour, and emotions)
- Neurocognitive Functions (e.g., memory, language, and executive functioning)
- Comprehensive understanding of neurological, psychiatric, and some medical conditions that impact brain functions.
- Understanding how brain functioning may be impacted by medications, substances, and/or environmental factors (e.g., sleep).
- Advanced assessment and diagnosis (if necessary) of neurocognitive and psychological disorders (i.e., neuropsychological assessment).
- Cognitive and Psychological Rehabilitation (i.e., recommendations and treatments)

A neuropsychological assessment is a specialised, non-invasive evaluation of your brain-behaviour relationship. While medical imaging like MRIs or CT scans show the brain’s structure (what the brain looks like), this assessment measures its function (how the brain is actually performing). It is often the most sensitive tool for identifying subtle cognitive changes or "invisible" symptoms that scans might miss.

The neuropsychologist will look at brain functions like attention, learning and memory, processing speed, language, visual-spatial and perceptual skills, motor skills, and executive functions. They will also explore personality, behaviour, and mood. Your results are interpreted based on your self and collateral reports, history, brain imaging, and other medical tests to provide a clear understanding of your brain functioning, and develop treatment recommendations such as supports and practical strategies to help you manage your daily life, work, or studies.

You don’t need to study for this assessment as we want to see your day-to-day thinking skills. However, to ensure we get the most accurate results:

- Rest and Nutrition: Try to get a full night's sleep and eat a balanced meal beforehand. High-level thinking for several hours can be tiring!
- Medical Essentials: Bring any reading glasses, hearing aids, or adaptive devices you use daily.
- Medication: Continue your usual medications unless your doctor or we have specifically told you otherwise.
- Comfort: Wear comfortable clothing and feel free to bring water or non-messy snacks for our scheduled breaks.

Yes, and in many cases, we highly recommend it. We often invite a "collateral"—a spouse, parent, or close friend—to join the initial clinical interview. They can provide valuable observations about your history and how your symptoms show up in your day-to-day life.

Important Note: While your support person is welcome for the interview, they will usually be asked to wait in the waiting room during the active testing phase. This ensures a standardised environment where you can focus entirely on the tasks without distraction or external influence, which is vital for the validity of your results.

Your first session is an "intake" appointment. It’s a safe space to discuss your history, current challenges, and goals. We will also cover administrative details like confidentiality and policies. It is a chance for you to see if you feel comfortable with your therapist’s style.

No, psychologists in Australia are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication. If medication is a necessary part of your treatment, your psychologist will work collaboratively with your GP or a Psychiatrist, who are the medical professionals responsible for prescribing and managing prescriptions.

While a formal referral is not required to book an appointment, it is preferred. You are welcome to attend as a private client; however, involving your primary care physician is a core part of our approach to ensure your care is well-coordinated. Furthermore, a valid referral from your GP (such as a Mental Health Care Plan) is essential if you wish to claim Medicare rebates to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. We find that maintaining open communication with your doctor allows us to better understand your medical history and provide the most effective support for your long-term health.

At Hills Neuropsychology & Co., each clinician manages their own admin and enquiries, in addition to their client case-loads. This means it can take us some time to process your enquiry. We have dedicated time each week for doing this, and we will endeavour to be in contact with you as soon as possible. We are currently accepting bookings for August 2026.

The time required to finalise a report can vary depending on the complexity of the assessment and the depth of data interpretation required. However, we aim to have your report completed within 1-2 weeks of your assessment. Once finalised, a copy will be provided to you, your referring clinician, and any other professionals you have specifically consented for us to contact.

To ensure you have a clear understanding of the findings, we also aim to schedule your assessment feedback session the week following your testing session. This allows us to discuss the results and recommendations in detail shortly after the report is complete.

Cancellation & Reschedule Policy
At Adelaide Hills Neuropsychology, we value both your time and ours. Late cancellations, reschedules, and missed appointments limit our ability to offer these valuable time slots to other clients who are waiting for care. Please note that our cancellation policy applies even in cases of unavoidable sickness and may include any relevant bank charges.

Therapy Appointments
For therapy sessions, cancellations made with 0–24 hours’ notice or missed appointments (DNA) incur the full session fee, while notice provided between 25 and 48 hours results in a $120 charge. Medicare rebates are not able to be provided for fees incurred due to cancellation or DNAs.

If a late cancellation or DNA occurs due to unforeseen circumstances, a medical certificate must be provided within 1 to 2 business days. At the discretion of Adelaide Hills Neuropsychology, the cancellation fee may be waived.

Assessments
A deposit equal to the cost of the assessment component is required at the time of booking. Cancellations or missed appointments (DNA) with 0–48 hours’ notice incur the full fee for the assessment component (excluding the report), while notice provided between 49 hours and 5 business days results in a charge of half the assessment cost.

If a late assessment cancellation or DNA occurs due to unforeseen circumstances, a medical certificate must also be provided within 1 to 2 business days. We will allow at least one reschedule for late assessment cancellations under these circumstances; however, a second reschedule attempt may be declined at the discretion of Adelaide Hills Neuropsychology.

General Information
A “Did Not Attend” (DNA) status is applied if a client is more than 20 minutes late to an appointment. For NDIS clients, the full therapy/assessment fee applies if notice is under 48 hours and the spot remains unfilled. All cancellation notices must be provided within business days (Monday–Friday) to ensure we can offer the time to other clients. For example, to cancel a Monday appointment at 9:00 AM, notice must be provided by 9:00 AM the preceding Thursday.