What to expect
Time to understand.
A plan to move forward.
Your appointments are with Dr Chris Soo, with time to listen, make sense of the whole picture and work out the next steps together.
For children from age 4, adolescents and adults. In person or by telehealth.
Before you arrive
Send any existing reports or questionnaires, and have your current medication details ready. Reception will explain how to send documents securely. You don’t need every answer before we start.
Preparation, referrals and appointments for children
You don’t need a referral. A handover or clinical summary from your current clinician is welcome. Follow any specific instructions sent with your booking.
Additional questionnaires are usually chosen after the first consultation to suit your presentation.
Chris works with the child or young person and their parents or carers, adapting the conversation to their age, communication style and needs. Their own perspective matters. With your agreement, information from school, childcare or other clinicians can help us understand patterns across settings. We’ll explain what would be useful and why.
An open-minded assessment
You don’t need to know the diagnosis before you make contact. We discuss the possibilities, what supports them and what remains uncertain. Your perspective and questions are part of the process.
How we approach uncertainty
An ADHD assessment also considers other explanations and conditions that may occur alongside it, where relevant. This may include autism, bipolar spectrum disorders, the effects of complex trauma and other aspects of your health. A working hypothesis is different from an established diagnosis, and an initial formulation may change as more information becomes available.
For an initial mental health assessment, Chris explores your current concerns, relevant history, previous treatment and what you would like help with. The focus of your appointments will reflect your needs.
The second appointment brings together the conversation, relevant questionnaires, reports and other information so you and Chris can make a considered plan. This also applies to second opinions and transfers of care.
ADHD & AuDHD assessment and care
Your journey, at your pace.
01 · Assessment
First, your story.
90 minutes · in person or by telehealth
A comprehensive conversation about you: your history, day-to-day life, strengths and difficulties. We explore ADHD, autism and other possible explanations together.
What we explore
Lifelong pattern (not just “how you’ve been lately”… though we unpack that too)
Executive function: initiation, organisation, time blindness, working memory
Emotional regulation, overwhelm, shutdown/burnout patterns
Functional impact (study/work/home/relationships)
Masking and compensations (especially in adults with ADHD who were missed in their earlier years)
Developmental history and key turning points
Differential diagnosis and common overlaps (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, other developmental conditions including ASD, sleep issues, substance use and longstanding patterns in emotions, coping and relationships, bipolar spectrum disorders, etc)
After the first appointment
What you can expect by the end of this appointment
By the end of this first assessment, we usually have a strong clinical formulation and often a provisional diagnosis.
Where it’s clinically appropriate — particularly if symptoms are significantly impairing and the risk profile fits — we may also discuss starting a non-stimulant medication option early.
We’ll explain why an early treatment option may be appropriate for you, what it aims to help with, and how we’ll review it while completing the assessment.
Personalised questionnaires - after the appointment
At the end of this first visit, you’ll be given a set of targeted questionnaires and screening tools chosen for your presentation. We’ll often arrange some investigations to explore any medical issues that come up that might affect your symptoms, or possibly interfere with any treatment.
These help us confirm that what emerged in the interview aligns with patterns seen across settings and over time — and they also help check for overlaps that change treatment.
You bring your story. We bring the structure to make sense of it.
02 · Assessment
Making sense of it all.
60 minutes · typically 6–8 weeks later
We bring the conversation, questionnaires and relevant reports together. Chris explains what fits, what remains uncertain and the options for a plan that works for you.
Results, diagnosis and treatment planning
We will:
review questionnaire results
review any collateral information where it improves accuracy (i.e. school reports, prior clinician letters, or partner/family observations). Not everyone needs the same amount of this, and we try not to let any one test be the be-all and end-all — but it’s often valuable.
clarify your diagnosis or diagnoses and explain the formulation in plain language — what’s driving what
and build an actionable plan tailored to your life
Treatment planning
(including medication where appropriate)
If medication is appropriate (often), we’ll discuss options and choose a path that fits your goals, risk profile, and comorbidities.
That plan may include:
stimulants (often effective for many people)
non-stimulant options (sometimes the better fit)
understanding not just medication (discover the strengths of your brain, and how to set up life to thrive instead of struggle)
practical supports that actually help (systems, sleep, psychology supports, workload design, relationship strategies)
A collaborative conversation. You’ll understand the why, as well as the what.
03 · First review
Check in. Refine. Troubleshoot.
30-minute follow-up · 45 minutes if you’d like more time
If medication is started, we usually review within about a month. We look at both safety and meaningful benefit in everyday life, then adjust the plan together.
What the first review covers
If it’s right, we refine it. If it’s not, we troubleshoot early, calmly and systematically.
Follow-up appointments: 30 minutes as standard, or 45 minutes if you would like more time. In person or by telehealth, with timing tailored to you.
For more complex concerns, Chris may suggest a 45-minute review, but the choice is yours. If you would like a shorter appointment, please contact admin/reception to discuss your request.
If we trial any medication at the previous review, we usually review within about a month. This often is a stimulant, but sometimes not — it all depends on what seems the initial best fit for you.
This first review is mainly about safety and whether treatment is helping:
Safety: side effects, sleep, appetite, mood, anxiety, cardiovascular symptoms, rebound/crash, and any red flags.
Benefit in everyday life: is it doing what it’s meant to do — improving focus, initiation, emotional regulation, and day-to-day functioning in the way we’d expect? We’re looking for meaningful benefit while monitoring and minimising unwanted effects.
Follow-ups for children and families
Sometimes it helps for parents or carers and their child to speak with Chris separately during a follow-up. If you’d like time for this—including discussing concerns without your child present—a 45-minute appointment may be helpful. You can choose the appointment length that suits you.
How we respond to your treatment
What happens next depends on your response - it’s not one size fits all
If it’s working well: we “dial it in” — optimising dose and timing so the benefits are consistent and the trade-offs are minimal.
If it’s not doing what we expected, or it feels unpleasant: we don’t push through blindly. We troubleshoot calmly and systematically; adjusting strategy, checking for overlaps that change response, and where needed trialling a different option.
The aim isn’t just “being on meds”.
It’s the right medication approach,
working safely and well for you.
If it’s right, we refine it. If it isn’t, we troubleshoot early.
04 · Finding your rhythm
Getting it right, together.
The first 3 months · reviews usually every 4–6 weeks
Early follow-up helps us assess benefit, monitor unwanted effects and fine-tune treatment. Once things are stable, reviews become individualised—often every 3–6 months.
Early follow-up and ongoing monitoring
, we usually review a bit more closely — typically every 4–6 weeks. This is the phase where we:
optimise dose and timing (“dial it in”)
check that benefits are real-world and consistent
monitor side effects and safety markers
pick up early warning signs if something isn’t the right fit
Why this matters: Early follow-up helps us assess benefit, identify unwanted effects and adjust treatment promptly. We continue monitoring over time, including when doses or circumstances change.
Once stable, follow-up becomes individualised. Many people move to 3–6 monthly reviews depending on complexity and treatment needs.
Safety, then optimisation. Then room to live.
05 · Looking ahead
A plan that moves with you.
Longer-term care · when you’re ready
When things are stable and your usual GP is comfortable taking over, we can support a handover. You’re also welcome to continue with Chris or return if things change.
Ongoing care, handover and returning
Step 5: Discharge to your usual doctor — and you are always welcome back.
When things are stable, and your regular GP is comfortable to take over, we’re often happy to transition ongoing prescribing and monitoring to them.
If your GP is unsure, we can help make this easier — for example by providing clear written guidance and, where appropriate, being available for a brief clinician-to-clinician discussion to support a safe handover.
And importantly: if anything changes — life circumstances shift, symptoms flare, medication stops working as expected, side effects emerge, or your GP wants a second set of experienced eyes — you can return at any time for review and troubleshooting.
That’s part of the value of establishing care with a clinician who knows ADHD and mental health deeply: you’re not stuck if things get complicated.
The goal isn’t to keep you here,
it’s to get you optimised & supported long-term.
If the plan ever stops fitting, you can return anytime to recalibrate.
You’re also welcome to stay with Chris longer term. He loves hearing about how people are thriving and what life has opened up for them.
If it has been more than 12 months since you last saw Chris, please call reception on 1800 343 191 to arrange your return appointment rather than booking online. Let us know what has changed so we can allow enough time.
If the plan stops fitting, we can take another look.
Ready to take the next step?
Initial appointments are arranged through reception.
Call 1800 343 191. The team will confirm the appointment and fee.
If your care is stable and you’re transferring to Chris, ask reception whether a shorter initial appointment may be appropriate.
ADHD & AuDHD assessment: the detailed journey
Step 1: Initial comprehensive diagnostic interview & clinical assessment
90 minutes · in person or by telehealth
Before your assessment, please send in any previous assessments and helpful documents you already have, such as school reports, clinician letters and relevant medical history. Contact reception for instructions on how to send them securely.
Then just rock up. We’ll do the rest.
We typically cover:
Lifelong pattern (not just “how you’ve been lately”… though we unpack that too)
Executive function: initiation, organisation, time blindness, working memory
Emotional regulation, overwhelm, shutdown/burnout patterns
Functional impact (study/work/home/relationships)
Masking and compensations (especially in adults with ADHD who were missed in their earlier years)
Developmental history and key turning points
Differential diagnosis and common overlaps (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, other developmental conditions including ASD, sleep issues, substance use and longstanding patterns in emotions, coping and relationships, bipolar spectrum disorders, etc)
What you can expect by the end of this appointment
By the end of this first assessment, we usually have a strong clinical formulation and often a provisional diagnosis.
Where it’s clinically appropriate — particularly if symptoms are significantly impairing and the risk profile fits — we may also discuss starting a non-stimulant medication option early.
We’ll explain why an early treatment option may be appropriate for you, what it aims to help with, and how we’ll review it while completing the assessment.
Personalised questionnaires - after the appointment
At the end of this first visit, you’ll be given a set of targeted questionnaires and screening tools chosen for your presentation. We’ll often arrange some investigations to explore any medical issues that come up that might affect your symptoms, or possibly interfere with any treatment.
These help us confirm that what emerged in the interview aligns with patterns seen across settings and over time — and they also help check for overlaps that change treatment.
You bring your story.
We bring the structure to make sense of it.
You’ll know we haven’t cut corners,
and you’ll feel clear about the next steps.
Step 2: Making sense of it all: results, diagnosis, next steps
60 minutes · in person or by telehealth, typically 6–8 weeks later
This appointment is where everything comes together.
We will:
review questionnaire results
review any collateral information where it improves accuracy (i.e. school reports, prior clinician letters, or partner/family observations). Not everyone needs the same amount of this, and we try not to let any one test be the be-all and end-all — but it’s often valuable.
clarify your diagnosis or diagnoses and explain the formulation in plain language — what’s driving what
and build an actionable plan tailored to your life
Treatment planning
(including medication where appropriate)
If medication is appropriate (often), we’ll discuss options and choose a path that fits your goals, risk profile, and comorbidities.
That plan may include:
stimulants (often effective for many people)
non-stimulant options (sometimes the better fit)
understanding not just medication (discover the strengths of your brain, and how to set up life to thrive instead of struggle)
practical supports that actually help (systems, sleep, psychology supports, workload design, relationship strategies)
This is a collaborative conversation,
You’ll understand the why, not just the what.
What happens next depends on your response - it’s not one size fits all
If it’s working well: we “dial it in” — optimising dose and timing so the benefits are consistent and the trade-offs are minimal.
If it’s not doing what we expected, or it feels unpleasant: we don’t push through blindly. We troubleshoot calmly and systematically; adjusting strategy, checking for overlaps that change response, and where needed trialling a different option.
The aim isn’t just “being on meds”.
It’s the right medication approach,
working safely and well for you.
Step 3: First medication review
If it’s right, we refine it. If it’s not, we troubleshoot early, calmly and systematically.
Follow-up appointments: 30 minutes as standard, or 45 minutes if you would like more time. In person or by telehealth, with timing tailored to you.
For more complex concerns, Chris may suggest a 45-minute review, but the choice is yours. If you would like a shorter appointment, please contact admin/reception to discuss your request.
If we trial any medication at the previous review, we usually review within about a month. This often is a stimulant, but sometimes not — it all depends on what seems the initial best fit for you.
This first review is mainly about safety and whether treatment is helping:
Safety: side effects, sleep, appetite, mood, anxiety, cardiovascular symptoms, rebound/crash, and any red flags.
Benefit in everyday life: is it doing what it’s meant to do — improving focus, initiation, emotional regulation, and day-to-day functioning in the way we’d expect? We’re looking for meaningful benefit while monitoring and minimising unwanted effects.
Follow-ups for children and families
Sometimes it helps for parents or carers and their child to speak with Chris separately during a follow-up. If you’d like time for this—including discussing concerns without your child present—a 45-minute appointment may be helpful. You can choose the appointment length that suits you.
Step 4: The first 3 months
Early on, we stay close — not because we expect problems,
but because we’re committed to getting this right.
For the first ~3 months, we usually review a bit more closely — typically every 4–6 weeks. This is the phase where we:
optimise dose and timing (“dial it in”)
check that benefits are real-world and consistent
monitor side effects and safety markers
pick up early warning signs if something isn’t the right fit
Why this matters: Early follow-up helps us assess benefit, identify unwanted effects and adjust treatment promptly. We continue monitoring over time, including when doses or circumstances change.
Once stable, follow-up becomes individualised. Many people move to 3–6 monthly reviews depending on complexity and treatment needs.
The goal isn’t frequent appointments
— it’s safety, then optimisation.
Then we give you room to live.
Step 5: Discharge to your usual doctor — and you are always welcome back.
When things are stable, and your regular GP is comfortable to take over, we’re often happy to transition ongoing prescribing and monitoring to them.
If your GP is unsure, we can help make this easier — for example by providing clear written guidance and, where appropriate, being available for a brief clinician-to-clinician discussion to support a safe handover.
And importantly: if anything changes — life circumstances shift, symptoms flare, medication stops working as expected, side effects emerge, or your GP wants a second set of experienced eyes — you can return at any time for review and troubleshooting.
That’s part of the value of establishing care with a clinician who knows ADHD and mental health deeply: you’re not stuck if things get complicated.
The goal isn’t to keep you here,
it’s to get you optimised & supported long-term.
If the plan ever stops fitting, you can return anytime to recalibrate.
You’re also welcome to stay with Chris longer term. He loves hearing about how people are thriving and what life has opened up for them.
If it has been more than 12 months since you last saw Chris, please call reception on 1800 343 191 to arrange your return appointment rather than booking online. Let us know what has changed so we can allow enough time.
Arrange your initial appointment
All initial appointments are arranged through reception. Please call 1800 343 191. The team will confirm your appointment and fee before booking.
If your treatment is stable and you feel no troubleshooting is needed, but you’d like to see Chris for ongoing care, please contact our admin team to discuss whether a shorter initial appointment may be appropriate. The team will confirm the appointment length and fee before booking.
Fees and Medicare information · Practical questions and answers · Contact