Assessments are charged by the hour at the current rate listed on Our Fees.

Because the assessment pathway depends on the individual and the question being asked, the total cost can usually be estimated more accurately after the first consultation. The first consultation generally involves approximately one hour of professional time at the current rate. For more information about why we do not offer fixed price packages, see FAQs.

We will discuss likely next steps and associated fees before you decide whether to proceed. See Our Fees → for more information and an example assessment cost structure.

Yes. Assessment may consider anxiety disorders such as generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder and other anxiety presentations where this is relevant to the referral question.

The purpose is not simply to identify symptoms, but to understand their pattern, severity, impact and possible relationship with other factors such as sleep, trauma, attention, development or physical health.

Yes. We can assess mood difficulties, including major depressive disorder, where this is clinically appropriate.

Assessment may also consider whether changes in mood, motivation, sleep, concentration or behaviour could have another or additional explanation.

Yes. Assessment may consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and other trauma- and stressor-related difficulties.

Assessment considers the person’s experiences, symptoms, functioning and other possible explanations rather than relying on a questionnaire alone.

Yes, where this is an appropriate referral question. Assessment may explore trauma history, emotional regulation, relationships, self-concept, avoidance, arousal and other relevant symptoms.

We may also consider whether another condition, or more than one condition, provides a better explanation for the difficulties.

Yes. Where appropriate, psychological assessment may consider eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder, as well as other concerning patterns of eating.

Eating disorders can also have significant physical health consequences, so medical assessment or monitoring may be required alongside psychological assessment.

Assessment can still be useful. Difficulties with eating may relate to mood, anxiety, sensory differences, body image, trauma, routines, appetite, medical issues or other factors.

The aim is to understand the pattern rather than assume that every eating difficulty must fit a particular diagnosis.

Yes. BPA can assess psychological sleep difficulties and, where appropriate, diagnose insomnia disorder.

We also consider whether another medical, psychological or behavioural factor may be contributing to poor sleep.

No. Obstructive sleep apnoea and other physiological sleep disorders require medical assessment.

We may screen for possible sleep-disordered breathing or other sleep concerns and recommend assessment by a GP, paediatrician, sleep physician or other appropriate medical professional.

Yes. Sleep difficulties can affect attention, memory, emotional regulation, irritability, motivation, behaviour and cognitive performance.

This is why sleep may be considered even when the original referral question relates to attention, behaviour or emotional difficulties.

Sometimes. Poor or disrupted sleep can contribute to inattention, restlessness, impulsivity, irritability and executive functioning difficulties.

Where relevant, assessment considers sleep alongside developmental history, attention, learning, emotional functioning and other possible explanations.

No. A diagnosis can be useful, but it is not always necessary or the most useful outcome.

Sometimes assessment is more valuable for developing a clear formulation of what is happening, identifying contributing factors and working out what kind of support or treatment is likely to help.

An independent assessment may be helpful where an existing diagnosis does not seem to explain your experience, treatment has not been helping as expected, or important aspects of the presentation appear to have been overlooked.

We can reconsider the available information and explore alternative or additional explanations.

No necessarily. Assessment can reconsider whether the available evidence continues to support a diagnosis and whether another formulation may fit better.

We generally focus on developing the most useful current understanding, rather than simply deciding whether somebody else’s earlier conclusion was “right” or “wrong”.

Potentially. If therapy has not been helping as expected, independent assessment may clarify whether the current formulation, diagnosis or treatment focus needs to be reconsidered.

Findings can help identify different treatment priorities, another therapeutic approach, additional healthcare needs or areas requiring further assessment.

Yes. Where appropriate, the assessment report can provide information that may help a treating psychologist, counsellor or other therapist understand the presentation and consider treatment priorities.

The treating practitioner remains responsible for deciding how to integrate those findings into therapy.

Yes. This can be an important reason to consider assessment.

If standard parenting strategies, behavioural approaches or therapy have had little effect — or seem to make things harder — assessment may help clarify what is driving the behaviour and whether the approach needs to change.

Not necessarily.

Behaviour can be influenced by sleep, anxiety, trauma, attention, learning, sensory needs, communication, development, relationships, environmental demands and physical health, among other factors.

Assessment looks beyond the behaviour itself to understand what may be contributing to it.

Assessment may consider concerns such as emotional outbursts, conduct problems, oppositional defiance, aggression, withdrawal, avoidance, impulsive behaviour, conflict, difficulty following expectations, changes in eating, school refusal or behaviour that differs significantly across settings.

The assessment approach depends on the pattern of difficulties and the questions you want answered.

That can be useful information.

Differences between home, school, work or other settings may help us understand what demands, supports, relationships or environmental factors are influencing the behaviour.

Where relevant, assessment may consider personality characteristics, coping styles and longstanding patterns of thinking, feeling and relating to others.

Whether formal personality assessment is useful depends on the referral question, age, circumstances and goals of the assessment.

Potentially, where this is an appropriate referral question and sufficient information can be obtained.

We would first discuss whether formal diagnostic assessment is likely to be useful, because understanding broader patterns of personality and functioning may sometimes be more helpful than focusing only on a diagnostic label.

Yes. If we think attention, learning, cognition, memory or broader developmental factors may be influencing emotional or behavioural difficulties, we can discuss whether these should form part of the assessment.

This is considered during the initial assessment interview in relation to your goals..

Could trauma, ADHD, autism, anxiety or sleep problems overlap?

Yes. Different conditions can produce similar outward difficulties, and more than one factor can be present at the same time.

Independent assessment can help identify which explanations are most strongly supported and how different factors may be interacting.

Yes. Physical health, medication, pain, sleep, fatigue and other medical factors can influence mood, behaviour and cognitive performance.

Where relevant, we consider these factors when interpreting findings and may recommend further medical assessment.

Yes. If something you tell us suggests a possible medical or physiological contributor, we may recommend review by a GP, paediatrician, psychiatrist, sleep physician or another appropriate health professional.

Sometimes medical assessment is needed before a psychological diagnosis or treatment recommendation can be made confidently.

That does not necessarily mean the assessment has been unsuccessful.

The findings may still clarify what explanations are less likely, which factors appear most important, what support may help and whether another type of assessment or professional input is needed.

If we think there is a better way for you, even if this means seeing somebody else, we will tell you.

Sometimes screening or assessment indicates that another service or professional is better placed to answer the question. Where possible, we will explain why and suggest the type of professional or service that may be more appropriate.

BPA is primarily an assessment-focused practice and does not offer ongoing psychological therapy to the public.

Where therapy is recommended, the assessment can help clarify the kind of support that may be useful and provide information for the professional who works with you.