Expert Psychological Assessments in Bendigo

Neuropsychology and cognitive assessments in Bendigo for adolescent and adult country Victorians.

Rob is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Graduating from the Neuropsychology training program at La Trobe in 2002, he is a registered psychologist who has provided neuropsychological assessments and interventions in inpatient, outpatient, community rehabilitation, and other community settings. He has taught undergraduate and postgraduate psychology and neuropsychology for over 20 years, along with brain health to professional peers and the broader community.

In research, he has held research fellowships from the Australian Research Council and National Health and Medical Research Council, examining executive functions (such as self control), using neuroimaging and cognitive assessment in people with neurological and psychiatric illness, including substance use disorders, dementia, multiple sclerosis, ADHD, schizophrenia and traumatic brain injury.

Services

Cognitive Assessment

Rob sees clients for a range of referrals. This can include clarification of a diagnosis, to provide an opinion on the management and intervention to support a client and their families, because of the individual’s condition (e.g., dementia, ADHD, psychiatric conditions). Each assessment is tailored to the individual’s needs.

Cognitive assessments can be conducted at the clinic in Bendigo, or at a pre-arranged community space (e.g., hospital or clinic room) that provides suitable privacy from auditory and visual distraction. Please contact us if you are based in country Victoria and would like an assessment but cannot travel to Bendigo, to see if alternative options can be arranged (including Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca, Shepparton, Seymour, Benalla, Maryborough).

Common referral questions include:

What happens in a cognitive assessment?

Our assessments use a clinical interview and cognitive testing to gain an comprehensive understanding of a person’s cognition. Assessments are provided to individuals from 16 years of age. Rob is committed to providing safe and inclusive services. A typical assessment involves an initial clinical interview, neuropsychological testing, a feedback session and a formal report. We might also ask for your permission to talk to someone close to you (e.g. a parent or partner), or clinical services you’ve previously used (e.g., hospital or GP), to further inform the results.

The assessment appointment generally takes 3 to 4 hours of face to face time (with rest breaks). During the interview, you will be asked important questions, such as symptoms, medical and psychological history, medications, education and occupational history, and other information that will assist with diagnosis and intervention. Formal assessment may include you answering questions, completing some pen and paper tasks or computer-based tasks. Some of these tasks will be easy; some will be challenging, the aim is to find your strengths and difficulties to assist with feedback and support. There is nothing you need to do to prepare for these tests and it’s normal to feel nervous. Rob will help you work through the assessment process to make sure we get an accurate reflection of your cognitive strengths and difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions

ADHD assessment in Bendigo?

An ADHD diagnosis requires comprehensive clinical interview and assessment. At Hester Psychology, we follow the Australian Evidence Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD. The process is explained here.

NDIS Psychologist Bendigo

Rob is able to undertake assessments for individuals who have NDIS funding or are trying to access NDIS. More information on cognitive assessments and the NDIS is provided here.

Decision-making capacity assessment?

Rob is experienced in assisting with decision making capacity assessments. The assessment process is explained here.

Neuropsychology in Bendigo

Rob is able to provide a cognitive assessment service for a range of referral questions in Bendigo, or for clients in other parts of country Victoria (including Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca, Shepparton, Seymour, Benalla, Maryborough) by prior arrangement, more information can be found here.

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