Services
Therapy
50-60 minute therapy sessions
Purpose
To help you get back on track, learn new skills or work on your wellbeing or mental health goals. We work with children and adults, usually those who identify as neurodivergent, but we are open to all.
What is involved
Usually weekly or fortnighty sessions, focused on the areas you would like support with. Our first session is a chance for both of us to get to know each other, and for us to find out more about your goals. We then agree some goals and how best to help you achieve these. Therapy is about having someone to talk with who is on your side, to help guide you through changes you want to make to make life easier.
What you will get
Each session lasts 50 minutes to an hour, and this is usually weekly or fortnightly initially. We will suggest how many sessions we think you need to start with when we meet the first time.
Service fee
$200 plus travel (if required)*.
Autism Assessments
Screening assessment
All assessments begin with a brief screening to determine if an assessment with Divergence Psychology is right for you. This includes:
1. Completing online screening questionnaires on autism, ADHD, mental health, and other relevant areas, which we review prior to your appointment.
2. A two-part meeting with a team member:
a. A 1-hour session to discuss your needs and reasons for seeking an assessment.
b. Discussion of recommendations, after a short break (approximately 30 minutes) for us to review the information. We’ll provide a quote on that day, and arrange the assessment if you wish to proceed.
The cost of this screening appointment is $600 (including GST).
If you choose not to proceed, we can provide a brief written summary of the discussion.
Comprehensive assessment
After completing the screening, we schedule your full assessment, if appropriate.
Typically, we use one or more of the following tools during a clinical interview, in addition to discussing background information, with key insights included in the final report:
1. Monteiro Interview Guidelines for Diagnosing the Autism Spectrum (MIGDAS-2)
A sensory-based approach for understanding how an individual relates to the world. It includes input from caregivers/teachers (as appropriate) and a sensory-focused interview to create a detailed behavioural profile.
2. Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI-R)
A structured caregiver interview exploring social interaction, communication, and behaviour patterns. The ADI-R helps determine whether an autism diagnosis aligns with the individual’s experiences.
3. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd Edition (ADOS-2)
A standardized assessment involving questions and tasks to evaluate communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviours. Observations are compared with traits commonly seen in autistic individuals.
4. Sensory Profile
Questionnaires (e.g., Sensory Profile 2 or Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile) assess sensory processing and how it influences daily life.
Your individual quote will vary based on the tools used and will be based on our hourly rate.
Our standard assessment results in a summary report tailored for the individual and their family. It is not intended for third-party use (e.g., disability support services). A third-party report can be arranged at an hourly rate of $200.
Additional services
Other tools we might use in our assessments include:
1. Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2):
Assesses planning, organization, and emotional regulation in daily life. 1 additional hour (for 1-2 informants).
2. ADHD Child Evaluation (ACE/ACE+) or ACE+ for young people and adults:
A structured tool to evaluate inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity traits. 5 additional hours.
3. Wechsler Scales (WASI-II/WAIS):
Measures intellectual abilities, including verbal and nonverbal reasoning. 3 additional hours (plus material hire fees)
4. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales – 3rd Edition:
Evaluates practical, social, and communication skills for daily functioning. 2 additional hours.
Please note that we rarely accept referrals for ADHD assessment only, please see your GP for referral to a psychiatrist if this is what you are hoping for.
Travel costs
We are based in Hamilton (New Zealand) and most of our assessments are carried out here, but we also travel to carry out assessments where required. Travel is charged at $1.04 per km and $100 per hour.