Seeking support can feel like a significant step, and finding the right psychologist is an important part of that process.
At Bellagarda Psychology, we offer thoughtful, evidence-based psychological care that is tailored to your individual needs, experiences and goals. Whether you're navigating a difficult period, looking to better understand yourself, or seeking support for a specific mental health concern, our aim is to provide a collaborative and compassionate space where meaningful change can occur.
We recognise that no two people are the same. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, we take the time to understand your unique circumstances and work alongside you to develop an approach that feels both practical and personally meaningful.
Alongside therapy, we also provide comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessment services to help clarify cognitive, emotional and behavioural concerns, supporting a deeper understanding of strengths, challenges and recommendations for moving forward.
Clinical Services
Therapy
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. You may be experiencing anxiety, low mood, burnout, difficulties in your relationships, challenges related to ADHD or neurodivergence, or simply feeling that something isn't quite right.
Whatever has brought you here, you don't have to navigate it alone.
At Bellagarda Psychology, therapy is a collaborative process that provides space to better understand your experiences, develop practical strategies, and move towards a life that feels more fulfilling and aligned with your values.
Our work together is guided by compassion, curiosity and evidence-based psychological practice, always tailored to your unique circumstances, goals and strengths.
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Therapy is about more than managing symptoms. It can help you better understand patterns in your thoughts, emotions and relationships, develop practical skills for navigating life's challenges, and build confidence in responding to difficult situations.
Together, we may work towards:
Reducing anxiety, stress or low mood
Improving emotional regulation
Managing ADHD and executive functioning challenges
Strengthening relationships and communication
Processing difficult life experiences
Building self-understanding and self-compassion
Developing practical coping strategies
Navigating life transitions and uncertainty
Improving confidence and wellbeing
Living more consistently with your values and goals
Therapy looks different for every person, and we regularly review your goals to ensure the work remains meaningful and relevant to you.
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We work with adults and adolescents experiencing a broad range of concerns, including:
Anxiety and worry
Depression and low mood
Stress and burnout
ADHD and executive functioning
Emotional regulation
Perfectionism
Self-esteem and identity
Relationship and interpersonal difficulties
Life transitions, including perinatal care
Grief and loss
Trauma and adverse life experiences
Workplace and study challenges
Neurodivergence
Adjustment to health or neurological conditions
If you're unsure whether therapy is the right fit for your concerns, we welcome you to get in touch to discuss how we may be able to help.
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No two people experience life in the same way, and there is no single therapeutic approach that works for everyone.
Rather than following a predetermined model, therapy is tailored to your individual needs and informed by contemporary psychological research.
Depending on your goals, therapy may draw on approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-informed strategies, mindfulness-based approaches and other evidence-based interventions. I also have a strong background in neuroaffirming care and parenting support, including Collaborative Proactive Solutions (CPS).
Alongside these approaches, we place particular importance on developing a strong therapeutic relationship. Research consistently shows that feeling understood, respected and able to work collaboratively with your psychologist is one of the strongest contributors to positive therapy outcomes.
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Before Your First Appointment
Once your appointment is confirmed, you'll receive a Welcome Pack and Intake Form to complete before your first session. This gives us the opportunity to understand your background and ensure your appointment is tailored to your needs from the outset.
Your First Session
Your initial appointment focuses on understanding you.
We'll discuss what has brought you to therapy, explore your current concerns, learn about your history and strengths, and begin developing an understanding of what you'd like to achieve. There is no expectation to cover everything in one session—therapy develops over time, at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Ongoing Therapy
As therapy progresses, we'll work collaboratively to deepen understanding, develop practical strategies, monitor progress and adapt our approach as your needs evolve. Sessions remain flexible and responsive, ensuring that therapy continues to reflect your goals and priorities.
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Do I need a Mental Health Care Plan?
No. You are welcome to access therapy privately. If you have a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies depending on your goals and circumstances. Some people benefit from short-term therapy focused on a specific issue, while others prefer longer-term support. We review this together throughout therapy.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Information shared during therapy is confidential except where disclosure is required or authorised by law, such as where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm or other legal obligations.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Secure telehealth appointments are available where appropriate, providing flexibility for clients across Australia. Note that we are currently unable to offer face to face appointments
Do you see children?
We are not currently accepting accepting referrals for children at Bellagarda Psychology. However, Dr Cayla does see children in her role at Mini Minds in East Fremantle WA.
Assessment services are currently paused and we are unable to accept new referrals at this time.
Assessment
Psychological and neuropsychological assessments can provide valuable insight into how you think, learn, remember, process information and experience the world. While a diagnosis may sometimes form part of the process, assessment is about much more than assigning a label.
At Bellagarda Psychology, assessment is viewed as an opportunity to develop a richer understanding of who you are—your strengths, the challenges you experience, and the factors that have shaped your unique way of thinking and functioning.
Whether you are seeking clarity around neurodivergence, cognitive functioning, learning, emotional wellbeing or another area of concern, our goal is to provide an assessment that is thorough, collaborative and genuinely meaningful.
Above all, we want you to leave with a better understanding of yourself, not simply a report.
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As a Clinical Neuropsychologist, I take a neuroaffirming approach to assessment.
Neurodiversity is a natural and valuable part of human variation. Assessment is not about identifying what is "wrong" with a person, but about understanding how their brain works, recognising both strengths and areas of challenge, and considering these within the context of their life, relationships and environment.
This perspective acknowledges that many cognitive and behavioural differences are shaped not only by individual characteristics but also by the fit between a person and the world around them.
My aim is to provide assessments that are respectful, collaborative and empowering—helping individuals make sense of their experiences while informing practical supports, accommodations and interventions that enhance wellbeing and participation.
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An assessment may help to:
Better understand your cognitive strengths and abilities
Explore attention, executive functioning and ADHD
Clarify memory or thinking difficulties
Understand learning strengths and challenges
Investigate changes following illness, injury or neurological conditions
Inform educational or workplace accommodations
Guide treatment planning and intervention
Provide greater insight into patterns that may have been present throughout your life
Support informed decision-making for you and your treating team
Assessment is often as much about identifying strengths and protective factors as it is about understanding areas of difficulty.
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Assessment is a comprehensive process that extends beyond psychometric testing.
It typically involves:
A detailed clinical interview exploring your history, current concerns and goals.
Review of relevant background information, including previous reports or medical records where available.
Selection of evidence-based assessment measures tailored to your referral questions.
Interpretation of results within the broader context of your life experiences, education, health, relationships and strengths.
A feedback session where findings are discussed in clear, accessible language.
A comprehensive written report outlining results, formulation and practical recommendations.
Throughout the process, I aim to ensure you understand not only the outcomes of the assessment, but also what those findings mean for you in everyday life.
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Not at all. Many people seek assessment because they want to better understand how they think, learn and experience the world. While assessments are often completed to answer a diagnostic question, they can also provide valuable insight into cognitive strengths, learning styles, executive functioning and the supports that help you thrive. Assessment is as much about understanding your unique profile as it is about identifying areas of difficulty.
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Do all assessments result in a diagnosis?
No. While some assessments lead to a diagnosis, others help clarify that a diagnosis is not appropriate or identify alternative explanations for your experiences. Every assessment is guided by the referral question and the evidence gathered throughout the process.
How long does an assessment take?
My assessments usually take between 5 and 8 hours, and can be split over several days if needed. The length and structure of an assessment varies depending on the referral question and the complexity of the presentation. This will be discussed with you before your assessment begins.
Will I receive a report?
Yes. Following your assessment, you will receive a comprehensive written report outlining the assessment process, findings, interpretation and personalised recommendations. With your consent, this can also be shared with your referring practitioner or other members of your treating team.
Can I use the report for school, university or workplace accommodations?
Where appropriate, assessment findings and recommendations may support applications for educational adjustments, workplace accommodations or other services. This can be discussed during the assessment process.
Can you diagnose ADHD?
Yes. As a Clinical Neuropsychologist, I am qualified to conduct comprehensive ADHD assessments and diagnose ADHD where the diagnostic criteria are met. The assessment process considers developmental history, current functioning, standardised assessment measures and information from multiple sources to ensure a thorough and evidence-based evaluation.
For many people, the assessment provides not only diagnostic clarity but also a deeper understanding of their strengths, challenges and practical strategies to support everyday functioning.
If I have an ADHD assessment with you, will I still need to see a psychiatrist or paediatrician?
If you are seeking medication, yes.
A comprehensive assessment with Bellagarda Psychology can provide diagnostic clarification and detailed recommendations. However, Australian medical prescribing regulations require medication to be initiated by an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.
Many psychiatrists and paediatricians value receiving a comprehensive psychological assessment, as it provides detailed information about your developmental history, cognitive profile, functioning and the impact of symptoms. Depending on the individual practitioner and your circumstances, they may use this information alongside their own medical assessment when considering diagnosis and treatment.
Do assessments attract a Medicare rebate?
Generally, no. Unlike psychological therapy provided under a Mental Health Care Plan, comprehensive psychological and neuropsychological assessments are not typically eligible for Medicare rebates.
Some private health insurers may provide rebates depending on your level of cover and the nature of the assessment. We recommend contacting your insurer directly to discuss your individual policy.
If you have questions about fees or funding options, please feel free to contact us before booking.