Why would I bother seeing a psychologist for ADHD if they can’t prescribe me medication?
- Alisha Dilanchian
- Jul 22
- 6 min read
“You never listen!” It was the fifth time this week her sister had snapped those words at her, and every time, they stung. Sophia was listening. Or at least, she thought she was. But somehow the conversation kept slipping away. Words blurred in her mind, emotions flared too quickly, and before she knew it, she was yelling, crying, or storming off. When she tried to explain herself, it always came out wrong. Her siblings called her dramatic, too sensitive, always interrupting. But inside, Sophia felt like she was drowning in thoughts she couldn’t organise fast enough to say out loud.
Sounds familiar?
Maybe you’ve wondered: Do I have ADHD? Could my child have ADHD? You’ve done the research, maybe even considered getting diagnosed. But then comes the confusion: Should I see a psychologist or a psychiatrist? If psychologists can’t prescribe medication, what’s the point?
After yet another blow-up at home, Sophia agreed to see a psychologist. That appointment changed everything. The psychologist took time to explore Sophia’s patterns, her emotional overwhelm, impulsivity, her constant sense of being “too much.” A thorough assessment revealed what had long gone unnoticed: Sophia had ADHD.
For the first time, things made sense. Her brain wasn’t broken, it was simply wired differently.
With support, she began to understand her triggers and develop strategies to pause, communicate, and manage the chaos inside. And slowly, her family started to understand too. For the first time, they listened. And for the first time, she felt heard.
There’s no one-size-fits-all ADHD diagnosis pathway
Getting assessed for ADHD in Australia can feel confusing. There’s no single “right” way, just different routes depending on what you need.
Do you want clarity? Support at work, school or university? Therapy? Medication?
In Australia, both psychologists and psychiatrists can diagnose ADHD, but they do so in different ways and with different areas of focus.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.
Psychologists focus on assessment, diagnosis, and ongoing support, helping you understand how your brain works and how to manage ADHD beyond medication alone.
What do psychologists actually do?
Psychologists use a thorough, evidence-based approach to ADHD assessment. It’s not just about getting a label, it’s about understanding how ADHD uniquely affects you.
One of the main challenges in diagnosing ADHD is that its symptoms often overlap with other conditions, such as anxiety, depression, autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, or other cognitive issues. That’s why a comprehensive clinical assessment by a qualified professional is essential to understand the full picture and rule out other possibilities.
This usually includes:
Behavioural evaluations (home, work, school, relationships).
Psychometric testing to explore or rule out things such as anxiety, depression, or autism.
Interviews and developmental history (including input from parents, partners, teachers).
At the end, you walk away with a comprehensive report, not just a “yes/no” answer. It outlines your strengths and challenges, giving insight into how your brain works and why you may struggle in certain areas.
Understanding these patterns helps you build self-awareness and self-compassion, while also guiding strategies that actually work for your brain.
This insight can help with:
School accommodations
Workplace adjustments
Access to support services like the NDIS
Referrals for medication if needed
If psychologists can’t prescribe medication, what treatment do they offer?
Medication can be helpful for many people with ADHD, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. While they don’t prescribe medication, psychologists offer practical tools that medication alone can’t provide.
Psychologists can help with:
Time management and organisation.
Managing emotional outbursts and impulsivity.
Building sustainable routines.
Coping with decision fatigue.
Improving self-esteem and breaking cycles of shame.
Therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and executive functioning coaching are commonly used. Psychologists also support parents of kids with ADHD, providing behavioural strategies and education that can reduce family stress and improve relationships.
Even if you eventually go on medication, therapy can help you address things medication don’t fix, like understanding your patterns, building confidence, and actually applying tools in daily life.
Meet Anna, 16 years-old, creative, bright, and always told she wasn’t living up to her potential. School felt like a constant battle and was overwhelming, no matter how hard she tried. After an ADHD assessment with a psychologist, she received a report and education that helped her finally understand her brain, and what she actually needed to succeed.
Her report outlined her strengths (like big-picture thinking and empathy) and challenges (like working memory), along with tailored strategies for studying, organisation, and classroom adjustments.
By working with her brain instead of against it, her marks rose, her confidence grew, and—for the first time—she felt capable.
What about psychiatrists? Where do they fit in?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who assess ADHD through a medical lens. They, along with paediatricians, are the only professionals in Australia who can prescribe ADHD medication (at the time of writing this blog).
Psychiatrists/paediatricians usually:
Review your medical and developmental history
Rule out other physical health issues
Determine if medication is appropriate and safe
Some psychiatrists may offer therapy, but most focus on diagnosis, prescriptions, and brief follow-ups.
It’s also worth noting:
Psychiatrist/paediatricians waitlists can be long, often 6 months or more.
Psychologists often have shorter waits and can get the process started sooner.
A psychologist’s report can be shared with a psychiatrist to streamline diagnosis and avoid repeating assessments.
Psychologists are typically more affordable for ongoing therapy, especially without Medicare-funded psychiatry access.
So…What’s the most effective approach?
The ideal scenario? A combined approach:
A psychologist for assessment and practical support
A psychiatrist for medication
A GP to coordinate your care
Medication can help quiet the noise, but therapy helps you make sense of it. It gives you the skills to manage your world with greater self-awareness, compassion, and control.
Mark’s Story. Mark was on the brink of divorce. His wife felt ignored, unheard, and increasingly convinced he simply didn’t care, he never seemed to listen, forgot important conversations, and left her feeling dismissed. But everything shifted after Mark was assessed for ADHD.
A psychiatrist prescribed medication, which helped improve his focus, but the additional comprehensive assessment from a psychologist really changed things. The psychologist explained to both Mark and his wife how his brain processed information differently, why he often missed details in conversation, and how his attention difficulties weren’t intentional. Armed with this understanding and practical behavioural strategies, Mark was able to communicate more clearly with his wife, helping her see things from his perspective and helping Mark to connect with his wife during the important moments in conversations. Together, they began to repair the rift, with greater empathy, clarity, and support.
What if I can’t see both, a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
Let’s be real, not everyone has the time, energy, or finances to see both a psychologist and psychiatrist right away. The best place to start depends on what you need right now.
Consider starting with a psychologist if you:
Want clarity, tools, or a formal diagnosis.
Need to rule out other conditions (e.g. anxiety, autism, learning difficulties/disorders).
Are a parent seeking insights into your child’s learning, behaviour, and strengths as well as recommendation for school and home.
Consider starting with a psychiatrist if you:
Are struggling to function day-to-day due to focus, mood, or energy issues.
Have already tried therapy with limited results.
Want to explore medication as a priority.
Remember, you can always add the other later. There’s no perfect order, just what works best for you.
For some, starting therapy helps stabilise things while waiting for a psychiatrist. For others, medication helps them effectively engage in therapy. There’s no perfect order—just what works best for you.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions between how psychologists and psychiatrists assess ADHD can help you make informed decisions about your care. Whether you’re looking for a diagnostic assessment, ongoing therapy, or medication management, choosing the right professional for your needs is an important step.
If you're exploring options, take your time, ask questions, and seek out qualified providers who align with your goals and concerns. The right support can make all the difference in navigating your ADHD journey.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our friendly team:
Note: The stories shared in this blog post have been adapted from real life examples we commonly see in our practice. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
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