PSYCHOLOGY FOR NDIS PARTICIPANTS
By David Hennessy, Clinical Psychologist
Psychological support for NDIS participants focused on disability-related functional needs, everyday skills, independence and participation.
Appointments are available in person in Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast and by secure telehealth across Australia where appropriate.
NDIS participants may use psychology when psychological support is included in their plan and meets the relevant NDIS funding criteria. The focus is on disability-related functional needs and goals rather than assuming that a diagnosis alone determines the support required.
Psychological support may help a person build or maintain skills for everyday activities, independence and participation at home, in relationships, in the community, at study or at work.
This service page explains the psychological support I provide to NDIS participants. For a more detailed explanation of capacity building and the distinction between NDIS-funded psychology and mainstream mental health treatment, see Understanding Capacity Building Psychology for NDIS Participants.
Depending on the participant’s disability-related needs, goals and plan, psychological support may include:
The particular focus is developed collaboratively. Different people may need different strategies, pacing and forms of support.
Psychology under an NDIS plan is most useful when the work remains connected to the participant’s disability-related functional needs and meaningful everyday goals.
Depending on the person and their circumstances, psychological support may help to:
Psychological support cannot remove every disability-related or environmental barrier. The aim is to identify realistic strategies that may improve or maintain functioning, participation and quality of life.
Support begins with understanding the participant’s circumstances, strengths, disability-related functional needs, existing supports and goals. The focus is then tailored to the individual and reviewed collaboratively over time.
Psychological assessment and formulation may help clarify how emotional, cognitive, behavioural and environmental factors interact with disability and affect everyday functioning.
Sessions may focus on emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, planning, routines, self-management and other practical skills relevant to the participant’s goals.
Psychology may support confidence and strategies for participation in relationships, community activities, education, volunteering or employment where these are connected to disability-related functional needs.
With the participant’s consent, collaboration may include family members, carers, support workers, support coordinators and other health or allied health professionals to support consistency across everyday settings.
Goals and strategies can be reviewed as circumstances change. Capacity building may aim to increase independence over time, while some people may also require supports that help maintain functional capacity.
Assessment may explore psychological, cognitive, behavioural and contextual factors affecting everyday functioning.
Referral information for NDIS participants, families, support coordinators and other referrers.
Read the companion educational article explaining capacity building psychology and how NDIS-funded psychology differs from mainstream psychological treatment.
Current NDIA information about therapy supports, including psychology and capacity building or maintenance therapy.
Assessment and reporting are guided by the purpose of the referral, the participant’s circumstances and my professional scope. Where appropriate, psychological assessment can help describe functional impact, strengths, goals and support needs.
NDIS participants bring different strengths, circumstances, disability-related needs and goals to psychological support. Psychology can consider the interaction between emotional wellbeing, cognition, behaviour, relationships, environment and everyday functioning, while keeping the person’s preferences and goals central to the work.
A detailed explanation of capacity building psychology, functional goals and the relationship between NDIS and mainstream mental health services.
Information and referral pathways for participants, families, support coordinators and other referrers.
Explore psychology services and information for neurological and cognitive conditions that can affect everyday functioning.
Explore psychological support and information for psychosis and complex mental health difficulties.
Explore the evidence-based and individualised therapy approaches used at Hennessy Clinical Psychology.
Explore psychological support and information for depression, bipolar disorder and other mood difficulties that may occur alongside prolonged stress or burnout.
Common questions about psychological support for NDIS participants.
The NDIS can fund psychology as a therapy support when it meets the NDIS funding criteria and relates to the participant’s disability support needs. Whether psychology is funded depends on the individual participant and their plan.
Capacity building psychology focuses on developing skills and independence for everyday activities and participation. Goals and outcomes are linked to the participant’s disability-related functional needs.
Not necessarily. NDIS-funded psychology focuses on disability-related functional needs when the support meets NDIS funding criteria. Clinical mental health treatment is generally a responsibility of the mainstream health system. Some people may appropriately use both systems.
A diagnosis alone does not determine whether psychology can be funded through the NDIS. Funding decisions consider the individual participant, their disability-related functional needs, their plan and the applicable NDIS funding criteria.
Where appropriate to the referral and within my scope of practice, psychological assessment and reports may describe presentation, functional impact, goals and support needs. Decisions about NDIS access, plans and funded supports are made by the NDIA.
Yes. Appointments are available in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast and by secure telehealth across Australia where telehealth is appropriate.
Hennessy Clinical Psychology provides psychological support for adolescents and adults from Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast, with telehealth appointments available across Australia where appropriate.
If you are an NDIS participant, family member, support coordinator or other referrer and would like to discuss whether psychological support may be suitable, you are welcome to make an enquiry or book an appointment.