I am a Clinical Neuropsychologist dedicated to a career that combines therapy, teaching, and research with evidence-based clinical practice. My clinical goals focus on ensuring accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodevelopmental conditions. I provide ADHD and ASD diagnostic assessment services, among others.
I have extensive training and experience in assessing and diagnosing mental health and cognitive, behavioural and neuropsychological conditions across the lifespan, with a particular interest in the effect of early life adversity and adaptive functioning on neurodevelopment.
I lead a clinical service in the child protection sector, having successfully obtained ongoing funding for a psychology and research centre for Aboriginal children in Out-of-Home Care on the Mid-North Coast.
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience. I work with adults, both as individuals and couples. My authentic, warm and direct style allows me to initiate and grow relationships with my clients, navigate challenging conversations and quickly grasp client needs.
I have broad experience encompassing community mental health, private practice, employee assistance programs and organisational psychology. I skillfully translate complex psychological theories into practical, meaningful solutions for individuals.
I conduct cognitive assessments, including adult ADHD and ASD, among others.
I have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology from The University of Queensland and am a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
I am a Clinical Psychologist who has established a career marked by a dedication to excellence and professionalism. I have extensive experience helping clients address a wide range of intricate psychological challenges, including ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and most clinical presentations.
My commitment to understanding the intricacies of individual differences has led me to develop a particular interest in working with neurodiverse populations.
My comprehensive approach ensures accurate diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to pinpoint symptoms and support the creation of effective treatment plans, management strategies and personalised support.
I am a Registered Psychologist offering a range of online therapy services, including ADHD diagnostic assessments and evidence-based psychological therapy for adults.
My areas of interest include adult assessment for ADHD, PTSD, depression, anxiety, complex trauma, grief and loss, self-identity and self-esteem issues, adjustment difficulties, work-life balance, workplace stress and professional performance issues- working with business owners and other professionals, clarifying values and life goals, problem-solving, communication skills and assertiveness training, and couples therapy among other presenting issues.
My emphasis is on working with clients in a collaborative way that can be described as ‘fluid within structure’ with the aim of helping clients to self-manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life and, most importantly, reach their individual goals. I am committed to improving my performance through client feedback, monitoring outcomes, and ongoing education, all of which are essential aspects of facilitating beneficial change.
Often, people with ADHD feel frustrated and can become anxious or depressed at not being able to achieve their full potential. If symptoms affect your daily life, work or relationships, you should seek help.
A comprehensive ADHD assessment ensures accurate diagnoses, aiding the development of tailored treatment plans, educational strategies and interventions to help individuals reach their full potential.
What is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a developmental disorder characterised by difficulties with concentration, attention and impulse control, impacting a person’s day-to-day life. ADHD treatment can help you, and it may include medication, CBT therapy, and Couples Counselling for those experiencing relationship difficulties.
ADHD can affect both children and adults. Adults with ADHD often struggle when needing to concentrate for long periods and may be easily distracted and act before thinking things through. Some people may experience these difficulties at some time in their lives. However, adults with ADHD experience these issues on an ongoing basis, affecting their lives, school, work and relationships.
ADHD can be diagnosed during childhood. However, it can go undiagnosed until adulthood. That can lead adults to experience years of struggle with ADHD symptoms and the effects on their lives and relationships.
ADHD can present differently in adults and children. For example, hyperactivity is often seen in children with ADHD. Adults, however, may experience restlessness, impulsivity, and distractibility.
ADHD Symptoms
ADHD symptoms vary depending on the individual and the type of ADHD they present with. Common symptoms of ADHD are:
ADHD Types
There are three types of ADHD, depending on the main difficulties the person is experiencing.
The person has symptoms of inattention, such as difficulty staying focused, forgetfulness, and poor organisation skills.
Hyperactivity symptoms include excessive movement, such as fidgeting, excessive energy, inability to stay still, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting their turn. Impulsivity refers to decisions or actions taken without thinking through the consequences. A person with this type of ADHD may have fewer symptoms of inattention.
A combination of both types. For example, a person may struggle with staying focused, forgetfulness, poor organisation skills, restlessness, interrupting others, and difficulty waiting their turn.
A person with ADHD may not fit neatly into one of the types above. A psychologist or psychiatrist can assess ADHD and provide a diagnosis based on your specific symptoms and circumstances.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
A comprehensive ADHD assessment ensures an accurate diagnosis to pinpoint symptoms and create effective treatment plans, management strategies and personalised support.
Diagnosing ADHD in adults can be challenging, as the symptoms may be attributed to other conditions or dismissed as personality traits. Therefore, an ADHD assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist with training in ADHD is necessary to diagnose ADHD in adults properly.
An ADHD assessment typically involves thoroughly evaluating an individual’s medical, developmental, psychological, and behavioural history, clinical examination and psychological testing. The psychologist or psychiatrist will also consider the patient’s self-reported symptoms and experiences.
ADHD can be diagnosed at any age. However, the disorder begins in childhood. Therefore, when considering an ADHD diagnosis, the symptoms must be present before the individual is 12 years old and must have caused difficulties in more than one setting. For instance, the symptoms can not only occur at home.
What to expect during an ADHD Assessment?
Psychologists aim for clients to leave feeling comfortable and supported heading into the assessment. In the first session, clients can expect questions about their goals, the challenges they are experiencing daily, their early life experience, and their experience adapting to changes in their environment. A psychologist will use this information to develop an assessment and support plan. The subsequent sessions focus on assessment and information gathering to inform diagnosis, treatment planning, and recommendations. These include standardised questionnaires, activities, and tasks designed to identify strengths and weaknesses. These activities may feel like games and are often timed.
What does an ADHD Assessment report include?
Typically, psychologists adapt their assessment reports according to each client’s goals and circumstances. Often, they include sections focused on the following:
ADHD diagnostic assessment and treatment services are available in Brisbane and offered by qualified therapists.
ADHD assessment and symptom management are delivered through individual counselling sessions and can be tailored to meet your needs. Many therapists in Brisbane who offer ADHD-related services also have experience working with co-existing presentations, including anxiety and self-esteem issues.
You can find an ADHD psychologist online and call them to learn about their experience, qualifications, fees and availability. It is essential to ensure that the psychologist you choose is trained and experienced in conducting ADHD diagnostic assessments and treatment and understands the condition well.
Send a request to a Psychologist in Brisbane by completing the form below.
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Maria Bentancor2023-05-21 22:26:092024-02-25 10:24:54Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Motivation