What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Psychwest Psychology Services - Kerstin Anderson-Ridge

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Australia
Perth, WA
Psychwest Psychology Services - Kerstin Anderson-Ridge

Our mission is to support you to thrive. We help you to develop effective coping skills through evidenced based psychological tools.

We do this by assessing your unique situation to determine collaboratively where changes need to be made so we can help you create more balance and live life to the fullest
We also provide Autism & ADHD assessments At Psychwest we can support and guide you to change limiting patterns and behaviours to create greater balance and fulfilment in your life. Our mission is to support you to create long lasting and meaningful change in your life. Kerstin also provides supervision for the 4+2 and 5+1 pathways and Clinical and Counselling Endorsement programs. She has actively supervised emerging psychologists through their professional pathways for 15 years.

14/11/2025

How to prepare your child for summer routines post diagnosis

* Visual schedules -  Create a simple visual schedule showing what each day looks like. Pictures or icons help your child anticipate activities and reduce anxiety about changes.

* Consistent sleep -  Where possible, try to keep bedtime and wake-up times within an hour of the usual routine. Predictable sleep patterns support regulation, mood, and energy throughout the day.

* Short-term goals -  Set one or two achievable goals, like practicing a new skill. Celebrate small wins to build confidence and momentum.

* School transition tips - Begin easing into school routines a few weeks before the term starts — review visuals, use social stories, or reconnect with teachers. Gentle preparation helps your child feel grounded and ready for the new year.

12/11/2025

3 Questions to Ask During Your Feedback Session

11/11/2025

End-of-Year Assessment Booking Cutoff

Friendly reminder that our assessment spots are almost full for the rest of the year.

If you’ve been thinking about getting a psychological or educational assessment for yourself or your child, now’s the perfect time.

Completing your assessment before the year’s end means you can:

* Start the new year with clarity and a plan

* Access support and accommodations sooner

* Go into 2026 with insight and confidence

07/11/2025

Which Assessment Type Matches Which Concern?

Wondering which assessment your child might need? Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out what each one looks for and why it might help.

Autism 
An autism assessment looks at how your child communicates, connects with others, and responds to the world around them. It helps you to understand their strengths, challenges, and what supports can make daily life easier.

ADHD
 An ADHD assessment explores your child’s attention, focus, and energy levels. It can help explain why they might struggle to sit still, stay on task, remember instructions, or manage big emotions.

Giftedness
 A giftedness assessment looks at advanced thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It helps make sure your child is being challenged and supported to thrive at their level.

Learning Disorders
 A learning assessment focuses on reading, writing, or maths skills to see if your child may have a learning difference like dyslexia, dysgraphia, and/or dyscalculia. It helps schools and families find the right strategies to support your child’s learning and boost their confidence.

05/11/2025

Tools We Use for ADHD vs Autism Assessments

At Psychwest, we use a range of tools in our comprehensive ADHD and Autism assessments. Your assessor selects the right tools based on your age, verbal ability, insight, and assessment package.

We offer ADHD, Autism, and Combined (ADHD + Autism) assessments for clients of all ages and abilities.

Some include cognitive testing, and all consider differential diagnoses using short questionnaires. Each assessment gathers reports from multiple sources—self, family, school, or work.

🦋 ADHD Assessments All clients complete at least two Conners rating scales:

* Conners CBRS™ (ages 6–18): parent, teacher, and self-report forms assessing behavioural, emotional, social, and academic concerns, ADHD symptoms, and related conditions.

* CAARS™ 2 (18+): self and observer forms assessing ADHD symptoms in adults. We also use the DIVA interviews—Young DIVA for children and DIVA 2.0 for adults—to explore current and childhood ADHD symptoms.

♾️ Autism Assessments Most clients are interviewed using the MIGDAS-2, with guidelines tailored by age and communication ability. Interviews explore sensory preferences, repetitive behaviours, interests, communication, and social-emotional responses, using both self and family input.
 Some assessments also include the ADOS-2 and ADI-R, ideal for clients with observable traits or difficulty describing their experiences.
Our assessors are experienced and trained to choose the most suitable tools for each client, ensuring accurate, individualised assessments.

🔗 To book an ADHD, Autism, or Combined Assessment, visit the link in our bio.

04/11/2025

Are ADHD medications addictive? 
It’s one of the most common questions people ask and the answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no.”

ADHD medications fall into two main categories:
 Stimulant medications (like methylphenidate – Ritalin, Concerta – or amphetamine-based – Adderall, Vyvanse)
 Non-stimulant medications (like atomoxetine or guanfacine)

Stimulants work by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, chemicals that help with focus, motivation, and self-regulation. Because they influence the brain’s reward system, they can be habit-forming if misused (for example, taken without a prescription or in higher doses).

However, when prescribed appropriately and monitored by a healthcare professional, stimulant medications are not considered addictive.

In fact, research shows that treating ADHD with medication may reduce the risk of substance misuse later in life, because people are better able to manage impulsivity and emotional regulation.

Non-stimulant medications, on the other hand, are not addictive and do not have the same potential for misuse. They’re often used when stimulants aren’t effective or suitable.

The key takeaway:

ADHD medications are safe and effective when used as prescribed. The risk of addiction comes from how they’re used, not from the medication itself.

31/10/2025

How Assessment Reports Help With Funding & Supports

1.    NDIS Access.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) requires comprehensive evidence of a disability, in the form of a report. Our comprehensive assessment reports provide information to help you access the NDIS or continue your funding.

2.    School Funding.

An assessment report can provide evidence to your school that an Individual Education Plan is required. It can help advocate for reasonable adjustments at school including sensory breaks or additional Teaching Assistants.

3.    Specialist Referrals.

Depending on the results of your assessment, you may be eligible for specialist care. This can include paediatricians, psychiatrists, or neurologists.

4.    Therapy Recommendations.

If you are planning on seeing a Psychologist for counselling or are already seeing one, an assessment report can be very useful. It can help your therapist to tailor interventions to your specific needs.

29/10/2025

Discussing ADHD cognitive profiles!

28/10/2025

What If Your Report Doesn’t Match What the School Thinks?
Teachers and other professionals who work with your child in their school may have different ideas about your child’s needs, the severity of their presentation, and how to accommodate for them best.

Schools are often required to make changes in a child’s learning plan if they are diagnosed with an intellectual, learning, or neurodevelopmental disability.

In a child’s assessment report - the assessor will provide a number of recommendations for the school to follow so that the child can be assessed fairly and learn in a way tailored to their needs.

If the school seems hesitant or unsure about the recommendations in the report, here are some steps you can take:

📅Schedule a meeting with the school
Ask to meet with your child’s teacher, learning support staff, or school psychologist. Bring a copy of the report and discuss the recommendations that will benefit your child.

🤝Collaborate rather than confront
Approach the conversation as a partnership. Focusing on how you can work together as a team to support your child can make the discussion more productive.

📝Ask for clarification and documentation
If the school is resistant to recommendations, ask clarifying questions. Sometimes school policy, limited resources, or misunderstandings can be the underlying problem. Request that all decisions be formally written so you have a record of the discussion.

💼Involve external supports if needed
If you are experiencing difficulties with communication and implementation, your child’s psychologist or assessor may be able to provide more guidance.

At Psychwest, we want your child to get the support and accommodations they need, and we are happy to advocate for them

24/10/2025

Assessment Prep Checklist for parents

1. Pack your child’s go-to snacks & water, or favourite toys to keep them comfortable.

2. Bring copies of relevant school/medical reports, GP referrals or relevant history.

3. Prepare your child: Telling them why they’re coming along with timeframes to reduce the unknown. Eg: ‘’we’ll be meeting with Ashleigh tomorrow for an hour to talk about how you learn at school’’.

4. Contact us if unsure: Reach out to our friendly reception team for any further info. We can provide you with our brochure/assessment info sheet on what you can expect.

22/10/2025

Supporting Neurodivergent Kids During Testing!

21/10/2025

What happens if a child is too anxious on assessment day?

It’s completely normal for children to feel nervous before a psychological assessment, as the idea of being “tested” can be overwhelming.

Here’s what you need to know if your child is experiencing anxiety before their assessment:

* Psychologists are trained to recognize anxiety and create a safe, supportive environment to help your child feel at ease.

* We take time to build rapport. We may play, talk, or take breaks; whatever helps your child feel safe.

* If anxiety is too high to continue, that’s okay. We can pause and try again another day when your child feels more ready.

* High anxiety during assessment can tell us important things about your child’s experience, and it may become part of the clinical picture.

* We recommend families talk positively about the visit beforehand and avoid calling it a “test.”

Address

25 Junction Parade Midland
Perth, WA
6056

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61894683640

Website

https://www.kerstinandersonridge.com.au/

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