ADHD & AUTISM POST DIAGNOSTIC SUPPORTNeuro-affirming therapy for adults
Support for late-diagnosed and high-masking adults with ADHD, autism or both. Available exclusively via telehealth, Australia-wide.
Telehealth Australia wide
SIRA Accredited
Adults 18+
15 years experience
❋
Telehealth Australia wide SIRA Accredited Adults 18+ 15 years experience ❋
Making sense of a diagnosis in adulthood
Receiving a diagnosis can bring a mix of feelings. Relief that your experiences finally make sense. Sadness about the support you missed. Frustration about being misunderstood. Or uncertainty about how this changes the way you see yourself.
You may be looking back at school, relationships, work or previous mental health treatment with new questions. You might also feel pressure to make changes before you have had time to understand what you need.
Therapy offers space to work through this at your own pace. Together, we can explore what your diagnosis means in the context of your life, and what you would like support with now.
Support for high-masking adults
Others may see you as capable, organised and managing well. What they may not see is the preparation, self-monitoring and recovery time involved.
You might spend considerable energy reading social situations, rehearsing conversations, managing sensory discomfort or meeting expectations. By the time you have finished work or spent time with others, there may be little left for yourself.
In therapy, we can explore the effort involved in masking, how it affects you and where adjustments might help. There is no expectation that you need to unmask everywhere or make changes before you feel ready. We consider your circumstances, relationships and sense of safety.
What we can work on together
Your sessions will be shaped by your needs and priorities. This may include:
Understanding your diagnosis: exploring how ADHD, autism or both relate to your experiences.
Adjusting to a late diagnosis: processing relief, grief, frustration or uncertainty.
Identity and self-acceptance: reconsidering longstanding beliefs about yourself and making sense of who you are.
Masking and exhaustion: recognising the effort involved in daily life and finding more sustainable ways to manage demands.
Burnout and overwhelm: exploring your energy, expectations, recovery needs and sources of support.
Anxiety and self-criticism: working with worry, perfectionism and the pressure to keep up.
Sensory needs: recognising what affects your comfort and wellbeing, and considering helpful adjustments.
Everyday demands: finding approaches to routines, transitions and tasks that suit you.
Relationships and boundaries: communicating your needs and understanding patterns in your relationships.
Workplace wellbeing: considering adjustments, disclosure decisions and ways to manage work demands.
Where appropriate, we can also discuss support from other clinicians, such as an occupational therapist or dietitian.
A neuro-affirming approach to therapy
Neuro-affirming therapy respects different ways of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world. It considers how your needs interact with your environment, relationships and the expectations placed on you.
In our sessions, your experiences and preferences guide the work. We can adjust the pace, communication and structure of therapy to support your participation.
I draw on evidence-based psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, adapting these to your individual needs and goals. We will discuss what feels useful and review our approach as we go.
You do not need to arrive with a clear explanation of everything you are experiencing. I will help guide the conversation.
REGISTRATION
Registered Psychologist (AHPRA)
SIRA Accredited
Medicare Approved Provider
EXPERIENCE
15 years clinical practice
CLINICAL INTERESTS
Adult ADHD and Autism Assessments
High-masking and late-diagnosed presentations
Burnout in professionals
Workplace stress and psychological injury
Post-diagnostic support for ADHD and Autism
Autistic burnout
CLIENTELE
Adults 18+ only
MEMBERSHIPS
Member of the Australian Association of Psychologists (MAAPi)
Member of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA)
Member of LOAPAC
Psychological Support with care and experienceMeet Kerry
I’m Kerry, a registered psychologist and director of Elara Psychology Clinic, based in Erina on the NSW Central Coast.
I bring 15 years of clinical experience, with a particular professional interest in adult ADHD and autism, late diagnosis and high-masking presentations. As a neurodivergent psychologist, I also bring lived experience to my work, while recognising that everyone’s experience is different.
My approach is compassionate, practical, neuro-affirming and trauma-informed. I offer space to ask questions, make sense of your experiences and work towards changes that are meaningful and manageable for you.
Therapeutic Approach
I use a flexible, neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed approach to therapy, drawing from evidence-based approaches including adapted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness strategies, Solution Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.
Rather than expecting people to fit into a rigid therapy model, I try to adapt therapy to the individual person, their strengths, and lived experiences.
Therapy via telehealth
All therapy and post-diagnostic support appointments are provided via telehealth. You can attend from a private, comfortable space without travelling to a clinic.
Elara Psychology Clinic supports adults across the Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle, regional NSW and throughout Australia.
We can discuss any communication, sensory or accessibility preferences before your appointment so you know what to expect.
Who our services may suit:
Adults who have received a formal ADHD or autism diagnosis and are seeking psychological support to understand and adjust to that diagnosis
Adults who self-identify as neurodivergent and wish to explore how this affects their daily life and wellbeing
Individuals who have experienced psychological harm in a workplace context, including those under Workers Compensation. SIRA Accredited.
Adults experiencing symptoms consistent with occupational burnout or chronic work-related stress
People experiencing mood, anxiety, or cognitive changes associated with perimenopause
Adults presenting with anxiety that is affecting their functioning or quality of life
While I support a range of presentations, there are some areas that are better supported by practitioners or services with specialised training, multidisciplinary teams, or higher levels of care. These include:
Acute mental health crises or high suicide risk
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) treatment
Alcohol and other substance dependence/addiction treatment
Eating disorder treatment and support
Perinatal and postnatal mental health support
Forensic, criminal court, or medico-legal assessments and reports
FAQs
What is post-diagnostic support?
Post-diagnostic support is psychological support following an ADHD or autism diagnosis. It can help you understand your diagnosis, process your response to it and explore ways to support your wellbeing and everyday life.
Do you support adults with both ADHD and autism?
Yes. I work with adults with ADHD, autism or both, sometimes referred to as AuDHD. Therapy considers your individual experience, including needs that may overlap or pull you in different directions.
What if I’m unsure what I need help with?
You do not need to have clear therapy goals before getting in touch. We can begin by talking about your experiences, what feels difficult and what you would like to understand better.
Can I claim a Medicare rebate?
Medicare rebates may be available for eligible psychological treatment with an appropriate referral, such as a referral under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Eligibility depends on your treatment needs; an ADHD or autism diagnosis alone does not automatically establish eligibility.
You are also welcome to self-fund sessions without a referral.
Is this suitable if I was diagnosed later in life?
Yes. I have a particular interest in supporting adults diagnosed later in life, including people who have spent years masking.
Can I attend if I was assessed somewhere else?
Yes. You are welcome to enquire about therapy whether your assessment was completed at Elara Psychology Clinic or by another clinician.
Do I need a formal diagnosis?
I also support adults who self-identify as neurodivergent or are exploring their neurotype. Therapy can help you reflect on your experiences and support needs. A formal diagnostic assessment is a separate service.
Are in-person therapy appointments available?
All therapy appointments are provided via telehealth.
We accept the following referrals:
-
If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, adjustment difficulties or other mental health concerns you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate. Your GP can prepare a Mental Health Care Plan which provides rebates for up to 10 individual sessions per calendar year with a registered psychologist. Please speak to your GP to determine eligibility and arrange a referral before your first appointment.
In person therapy appointments at Erina or telehealth.
-
Kerry is a SIRA registered psychologist and works closely with your Case Manager and treating team to provide psychological support for clients recovering from workplace injuries or motor vehicle accidents. To access psychology services under a workers compensation or CTP claim, you’ll need a referral from your treating doctor and approval from your insurer.
Kerry has nearly 2 decades of experience in supporting recovery from workplace stress, bullying, trauma and injury-related adjustment including chronic pain management from physical injuries.
In person therapy appointments at Erina or telehealth.
-
Kerry offers therapy for those choosing to self-fund sessions without a referral. If you’re looking for support with anxiety, stress, burnout, ADHD, relationships, trauma or exploring your neurotype, you’re welcome to book directly.
Private sessions are available in-person at our Erina clinic, or via telehealth from the comfort of your home, anywhere in Australia.
If you’re unsure which referral path is right for you, we’re here to help.
Enquire about post-diagnostic support
If you are looking for support following an ADHD or autism diagnosis, you’re welcome to get in touch.
Please email info@elarapsychologyclinic.com.au with a little about what you are looking for. We can let you know about current availability, any waitlist and whether my approach may be a suitable fit.
“the world needs all kinds of minds”
Dr Temple Grandin
Questions about fees
or how to get started?
Contact the clinic directly and Kerry will respond personally to discuss your situation and answer any questions about fees, funding, or which service may be appropriate for you.
