Psychology

Using a collaborative, neuro-affirming and strengths-based approach to her sessions, Madison works with a range of modalities to fit the unique needs of clients, including Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Therapy, Madison primarily works with children and young people; however, is experienced with working with adults also.

Madison accepts participants on NDIS funding, Mental Health Care Plans and privately paying individuals.

Appointments available via telehealth, face-to-face, and outreach upon request.

Madison is a generally registered psychologist.

Psychometric Assessments

All assessments include an information gathering interview, standardised psychometric tools, full report and feedback session upon completion. 
  • An adaptive skills assessment is used to determine whether an individual is showing age-appropriate development in skills needed for everyday life. These skills include areas of communication, social interaction, motor skills, and self-care skills.

    Our adaptive skills assessment uses the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behaviour (Vineland-3), and is useful in understanding which areas an individual is struggling, to be able to tailer recommendations to support them to reach their potential or achieve their goals. This can also be useful information for school.

  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development” (DSM-5).

    If you, or your loved one, has difficulties with concentration, attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity, which is effecting their ability to functioning without support - it may be beneficial to investigate ADHD.

    Our ADHD assessments utilise the Conners-4, BRIEF, DIVA-5 structured interview, and other assessments as needed.

    Madison is not medically trained and therefore cannot prescribe medications - everyone investigating ADHD will need to work with a paediatrician or psychiatrist to confirm diagnosis and for any medical treatment.

  • Our comprehensive autism assessments are designed to provide families with a clear, evidence-based understanding of their child’s neurodevelopmental profile. We combine clinical interviews, behavioural observations, and gold-standard psychometric tools such as the ADOS-2 to explore social communication, sensory processing, and behavioural patterns. This thorough approach enables us to identify Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across a diverse range of presentations, including subtle or complex profiles.

    Each assessment includes tailored recommendations to guide support planning across home, school, and therapeutic settings. We prioritise compassionate collaboration with caregivers and educators to ensure that every child’s strengths and needs are clearly understood, empowering families to move forward with confidence.

  • A cognitive assessment is completed to understand a person’s thinking ability and the way they process things around them.

    Cognitive assessments can be used to area’s of strengths and difficulties for individual’s, including if someone has an intellectual disability.

    Candid Specialist Consulting can complete cognitive assessments for children, young people and adults; ages ranging from 6 years and above, utilising the Wechsler Intellectual Scale for Children (WISC-V) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales (WAIS-IV) as appropriate.

  • An educational assessment investigates an individual’s academic achievement in specific areas. Comparing the information obtained from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III), to the individual’s cognitive potential measured by a cognitive assessment, it can be determined whether they are performing in line with their potential or if they have specific learning difficulties.

    If a cognitive assessment has been conducted within the last two years and a detailed report can be provided, an achievement test only will be conducted at a reduced fee.

  • Including a structured interview and psychometric assessment tools, our formal behaviour assessment screens for some psychological conditions (such as oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders, or neurodivergence) and can be helpful for understanding your child’s behaviour and how to support them to reach their potential.

    Our formal behaviour assessment utilised the Behaviour Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) and other useful assessment tools, can be useful for school funding applications under the criteria of Severe Behaviour Disorder. 

  • Our functional capacity assessment is designed to evaluate an individual’s capacity to perform various psychological or cognitive tasks, and offers a baseline measurement of that person’s current symptom’s and functional impairments.

    Our psychological functional capacity assessment uses a wide range of assessment tools, depending on the need of the individual; including (but not limited to) a semi-structured interview, Vineland-3, Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and BASC-3.

    This can be completed with children, young people and adults, and can be useful for NDIS applications or support among other things.


Partnership with State of Mind Counselling!

Candid Specialist Consulting is proud to be partnering with State of Mind Counselling to provide holistic care to the young people of West Gippsland!

Candid Specialist Consulting will be providing comprehensive psychometric assessments and State of Mind Counselling will be providing individually tailored therapy to children, young people and their families.

Candid Specialist Consulting can offer a wide range of supports, tailored to your individual needs - please get in contact with us today if you would like to know more about what we can offer, or to see if we are able to help you!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • NDIS participants will be billed in accordance with the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, using the line item 15_054_0128_1_3 at $230 per hour for children and adolescents (18 years and under) and $232.99 per hour for adults (over 18 years).

    Privately paying clients will be invoiced according to Candid Specialist Consulting's fee structure:

    - $230 per standard 50 minute appointment for children and adolescents (18 years and under).

    - $250 per standard 50 minute appointment for adults (over 18 years).

    *There will be an additional charge of $30 for outreach appointments*

    This is lower than the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi) recommended fee of $330.

  • Psychological assessments require a 50% deposit for individuals paying privately for the services. The included report will be provided once payment has been finalized.

    Adaptive Skills Assessment: $880

    Comprehensive Autism Assessment: $2,640

    ADHD Assessment: $1,760

    Combined Neurodevelopmental Disorder Assessment: $3,520

    Achievement Test: $1,540

    Cognitive Assessment: $1,540

    Educational Assessment: $2,640

    Formal Behaviour Assessment: $880

    Full Psychological Assessment: $2,420

    Psychological Functional Capacity Assessment: $1,320

  • Candid Specialist Consulting accepts debit/credit card, cash or bank transfer for payments. Payments made using our EFT machine will incur a small processing fee; cash or bank transfers do not have a processing fee.

    Privately paying individuals (including those with a mental health care plan) are required to pay on the day of the session. Medicare rebates will be completed once full payment has been made.

    NDIS participants will have the invoice sent to their nominated email address, with a seven day payment term.

    All invoices are required to be paid in full before the next session - Candid Specialist Consulting reserves the right to cancel or reschedule appointments until full payment has been made

  • If you are attending with a Mental Health Care Plan from a GP, paediatrician or psychiatrist, you are eligible to receive a rebate under Medicare.

    Current Medicare Rebates for individuals with Mental Health Care Plans are $98.95 for a standard consultation, face to face or telehealth. Without a Mental Health Care Plan, you are liable to pay the full amount.

  • Candid Specialist Consulting is a private practice and does not provide bulk billing services. We accept clients funded by NDIS or those who wish to pay privately. With Mental Health Care Plans we are able to provide Medicare rebates for appointments.

  • This depends on your private health insurance.

    You will need to contact them directly to understand your eligibility. You will be provided an invoice at the conclusion of the session to claim directly from your health fund.

  • We know that life can be unpredictable and you may need to reschedule an appointment. If you can't make your appointment, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible. We will work with you to reasonably reschedule your appointment, or change the modality (from face-to-face to telehealth/phone call) should this be appropriate.

    For all appointments with Candid Specialist Consulting, we require a minimum of 24 HOURS NOTICE for cancelling appointments.

    If you are unable to give 24 hours notice, Candid Specialist Consulting reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee, equalling the full cost of the appointment scheduled.

  • Yes - Candid Specialist Consulting is a registered NDIS provider and can see participants who are self-managed, plan managed and agency managed.