Psychology

Psychologists help people to manage many common issues, such as stress, anger, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, depression, learning difficulties, family communication, behaviour problems, and developmental disorders. 

Clinical Psychologists also have specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of complex mental health problems such as major depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and personality disorders.

New Ability Health provides diagnostic assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental health, developmental and learning difficulties including Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, Learning Difficulties, and Mental Health disorders 

Please see our Psychology Assessments section for more details on our diagnostic assessments, or read below to find out about our treatment services. 

At New Ability Health our psychologists are all fully qualified clinical psychologists with many years of experience. All of our Clinical Psychologists are Members of the Psychology Board of Australia, and the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

Taking charge of your mental health can be a big step. At New Ability Health we can help you work out where to start, and support you through your journey. 

PhD, MPsyc (Clin), BA(Psyc)(Hons) MAPS FCCLP

Dr Steve is a clinical psychologist with over 15 years’ experience working with adults, children and teenagers, treating a wide range of issues, from common life stressors through to severe mental illness. Stephen has worked across a range of mental health settings, including hospitals, community health centres and private practices. 

Stephen has extensive experience working with children and adolescents, having worked for over 10 years for local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, treating young people with severe and complex mental health disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, anxiety disorders, attachment disorders and pervasive developmental disorders.

Stephen has also worked extensively with adults, working for many years in private psychology practices in the area. Stephen has a particular interest in anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorders. Stephen is trained in a range of psychological therapy techniques, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). 

Stephen is a Psychology Board of Australia accredited supervisor for all forms of supervision in psychology. Stephen is well-recognised in the Newcastle area, providing supervision to other psychologists, lecturing and teaching postgraduate students, and providing clinical leadership to staff across a range of services.

Stephen has also held several leadership and senior management roles in local psychology services, and can provide coaching / mentoring for other professionals aiming to develop their efficiency and effectiveness. 

Stephen has a keen research interest, particularly in the area of bipolar disorder, and has published a number of research studies in this field, funded by national research grant schemes. Stephen is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) College of Clinical Psychologists and was an invited reviewer for the recent APS publication “Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental Disorders”. 

MPsyc (Clin), BA(PsycSci)(Hons)

Grace is a clinical psychology registrar with experience working with adults, youth, children and families. Grace takes a person-centred approach to her work, using evidence-based methods to treat a range of mental health concerns. Grace has worked across a range of service settings, including an inpatient hospital, community mental health centre and in a private practice setting.

Grace has worked with people presenting with a range of mental health concerns across the lifespan. This includes experience working with anxiety, depression, personality disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Grace’s recent work history includes working at an inpatient mental health hospital for adults with severe and complex mental health disorders. During this time, Grace specialised in facilitating group therapy programs for

people experiencing difficulties with addictions. Grace is trained in a range of psychotherapeutic modalities, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) with training in psychodynamic theory.

Grace is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA). Grace has a passion for research and evidence-based practice. Grace has a background working as a research officer at The University of Sydney, in the area of psycho-oncology and patient care. Grace’s master’s research project was centred on the help-seeking intentions of young people living in families impacted by mental illness. Grace has now published 15 research papers in leading psychology and medical journals.

Grace is most passionate about providing a patient-centred approach in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a range of mental health disorders and other psychological problems for individuals across the lifespan.

Mental health

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Bipolar Disorder
• Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• Eating Disorders
• Self-Harm Behaviour

Emotions and life stress

• Worry and over-thinking
• Work related stress
• General stress management and relaxation 
• Managing Anger
• Loss, Grief and Bereavement
• Adjusting to life changes
• Improving self esteem and confidence
• Shyness and social anxiety 
• Improving Assertiveness
• Sleep Problems

School and social issues

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Learning problems and IQ assessments
• ADHD and behavioural difficulties
• Bullying and school related stress
• School readiness and separation anxiety 

Professional development

• Psychology supervision
• Leadership and organisational coaching   

Our Psychologists are skilled and experienced in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of serious mental health disorders and other psychological problems for children, adolescents and adults. 

Depending on the specific needs of the individual client we can provide short term solution-focused interventions through to long term intensive psychotherapy.

Fees

A standard Clinical Psychology consultation is $230. The cost of a standard consultation with our registered psychology is $185. Other services such as diagnostic and learning assessments, supervision or coaching will have different fees. For your convenience we can accept cash, credit card or debit card payments

Medicare Rebates 

If referred by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician under “Better Access to Mental Health Care” (also known as a Mental Health Treatment Plan) you will be entitled to a medicare rebate which covers a portion of the appointment fee, although you will still be required to pay a ‘gap’ fee. Your rebate can be deposited directly back into your bank account immediately following payment of your appointment fee.

If claiming under medicare you are eligible for 6 sessions to start with and then a further 4 once your GP has reviewed your progress, and then if required, a further 10 once you’re GP has again reviewed your progress (maximum 20 sessions per calendar year). 

Private Health Insurance 

Our staff are registered with most major health funds. Many private health funds offer rebates for psychological services. Please check with your private health insurance provider to see if you are eligible to claim for psychological services.

National Disability Insurance Scheme

We are also a registered NDIS provider. Please send all referrals through to reception.newabilityhealth@gmail.com.

Workcover and Insurance 

Our psychologists are registered with Workcover Australia. If you are referred by a GP and this is approved by Workcover Australia, then the assessment, treatment and related report fees are covered by Insurance companies. 

Pre-appointment assessment and consent forms

Please come 10 minutes earlier for your first appointment. We will ask you to fill in some forms about your current mental health, to get your consent about treatment, and to check your permission for us to talk with your doctor or other professionals. 

First appointment 

In your first appointment we will get to know you, discuss the issues you would like help with, review your current mental health, and come up with a treatment plan and some first steps for working on your goals. 

Report to your referring doctor

If you have been referred by a doctor, we will write to your doctor after your first appointment (with your permission), to inform them of the assessment results and treatment plan. 

Diagnostic Reports

If you are coming for a diagnostic assessment and report, our staff will discuss with you beforehand, about the number of appointments required, and the costs involved. 

Requests for other reports

We can only provide treatment related reports. We are not able to provide independent medico-legal assessment in regards to psychological injury or criminal matters. Because our service is focused on treatment, we cannot be independent and impartial witnesses for the court if we have developed a treatment relationship with you. We also do not collect the extensive information required required for these requests. 

We may be able to provide support letters, for example; special consideration letters for school, or letters for Centrelink. We are happy to provide these to existing clients. Please note these requests require additional time to complete and therefore will be charged for at the psychologists’ hourly rate.