At Sunnyside Clinic, we provide expert psychiatric and psychological care for those struggling with their mental health.

Our interdisciplinary clinical approach includes a thorough diagnostic evaluation as well as the proposal of a treatment plan. At Sunnyside, we favour a combined approach involving psychopharmacotherapy (medications) and psychotherapy (“talk therapy”).

Treatment plans are established on a personalised manner, taking into consideration the current scientific evidence, as well as individual preferences.

We offer patients:

• Comprehensive psychiatric and psychological assessment
• Pharmacological treatment (medications)
• Individual psychological therapies
• Assessment of substance use as well as relapse prevention strategies

At Sunnyside we endeavour to match our skills with the needs of our clientele. In light of this principle, at this stage, our clinicians are not providing his services to individuals who present with the conditions mentioned below:

• Severe personality disorders
• Disorder typically occurring during childhood and adolescence (younger than 18) including Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability. 
• Sleep and Sexual Disorders
• Forensic cases

At Sunnyside several of our clinicians provide care for individuals presenting with ADHD. Please carefully read the procedures we implement at Sunnyside in order to optimize diagnosis and treatment of ADHD: 

Diagnosis

Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often manifested in association with symptoms of additional mental problems (comorbidity), including addictive disorders. At Sunnyside Clinic we endeavour to establish diagnosis accurately. 

The diagnostic assessment stage at Sunnyside Clinic involves a multidisciplinary approach integrating the following:

• Psychological assessment comprised of a clinical interview focusing on key criteria for ADHD and screening tools. Whenever possible, the presence of a family member or a partner is recommended in this appointment to enable retrospective and supplemental information to be ascertained.
• General health assessment.
• Psychiatric assessment.

Treatment, follow-up assessments and clinical reviews

Upon confirmation of diagnosis, a follow-up psychiatric consultation will be required to analyse results of investigations, including blood tests, and discuss a range of therapeutic alternatives. Following commencement of pharmacotherapy, patients will require frequent clinical reviews, weekly, fortnightly or monthly, to adjust the dosage(s) of medication(s) until optimal dosing is attained. Subsequently, patients will require follow-up psychiatric clinical reviews for treatment maintenance, usually with at least quarterly frequency. 

Many patients also benefit from non-pharmacological interventions with one of the competent psychologists at Sunnyside, which might be delivered via Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). Please note that at Sunnyside Clinic medications are not prescribed without any form of regular clinical care. 

Fees and rebates

All appointments are billed separately. In the majority of cases, the diagnostic consultations with a psychiatrist tend to attract a Medicare rebate which will cover a fraction of the cost while the remaining out-of-pocket expenses are paid for via credit card. Unfortunately, Medicare does not offer rebates for the initial psychological assessments for ADHD, only for subsequent treatment sessions. Some private health covers may provide rebates for psychological services. Please check with your private health care provider if your package of care includes psychological assessment. Follow-up clinical consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists tend to attract Medicare rebate.  Several psychological sessions can be billed via the MHCP with significant reduction of out-of-pocket costs. You will need to consult with your GP and request a MCHP. Please contact our staff for updated information regarding all fees mentioned above. Patients without access to Medicare, such as those on tourist visa and other temporary visa types, may obtain care through out-of-pocket payments, which might be reimbursed by private health care funds. Please check with your health care insurance provider if your package of care includes psychological and psychiatric services.  

Urgent Help

At Sunnyside Clinic we do not provide services for acute presentations, particularly those in which there is evidence of risk to self or others. We do not provide care to acute episodes of psychosis. In the event of any of the circumstances mentioned above, we suggest you contact immediately one of the services mentioned bellow:

In an emergency call 000 or visit your local emergency department. 

Otherwise contact:

Lifeline– 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Crisis Support for all ages

Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Free nationwide service providing 24/7 phone and online counselling to people affected by suicide.

Other options for non-urgent care are:  

MensLine  – 1300 78 99 78
http://www.mensline.org.au
Professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men

Veterans Line – 1800 011 046
Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service provides 24-hour support for veterans and their families

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732

National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service

Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) NSW –  1800 250 015
A 24-hour helpline for anybody seeking assistance with alcohol or other drug use.