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Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
We are a Psychiatric Clinic offering:
Adult ADHD diagnosis & prescription of
ADHD stimulant medication
Diagnosis and prescribing of psychiatric medication
for Psychiatric Disorders
Waiting Time for appointments:
18 weeks
As of: 25 July
Rainbow Mandala Clinic (RMC)
We are a Canberra based clinic, Dr Lewis has practised in Canberra since 2017 and spilts his time between RMC and the crisis team at Canberra Hospital.
Dr Lewis has been treating clients with ADHD
for 27 years and is a specialist in Psychiatric
disorders and prescribed psychiatric medication.
The Rainbow Mandala team live and work in the ACT and our team have working relationships with healthcare providers and GPs across the ACT and NSW region.
Dr Lewis has been granted authority to also prescribe ADHD medication in NSW.
Video appointments and at our clinic in Belconnen, 2617.
GP Referral
A GP referral is required for all ADHD assessments.
Please see your GP prior to contacting our clinic.
Your GP will send your referral directly to us.
Booking Approach
Text message confirmation within 48 hours of the clinic receiving your GP referral.
Phone call and text contact to book your appointment within 7 days of receiving your GP referral.
New ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment
$1200
Medicare rebate $247.25
Fee $952.75
This service comprises 3 aspects :
1. Clinical Assessment
2 to 3 hours with Mental Health Clinician
2. Psychiatric Consultation & Diagnosis
30 mins with Psychiatrist
3. Medication Support
email helpdesk
phone review
clinical support to help with finding the correct dose
Already Diagnosed ADHD
Clients may already have been prescribed ADHD medication and their 3 year approval maybe expiring
Transfer from a psychiatrist, neurologist or paediatrician
Diagnosed by a Clinical Psychologist and wishing to commence on ADHD medictation
$900
Medicare rebate $247.25
Fee $652.75
1. Clinical Assessment
Up to 1.5 hours with Mental Health Clinician
2. Psychiatric Consultation
30 mins with Psychiatrist
3. Medication Support
email helpdesk
phone review
clinical support to help with finding the correct dose
ADDitude website for ADHD resources
Duration
RMC practices a Neurodiverse Affirming assessment.
We allow 3 hours for this aspect, typically the average duration is about 2.5 hours.
This aspect is a relaxed and yet structured approach which allows clients the freedom to
engage in a conversation style assessment.
Clients are encouraging to take a comfort break at any stage.
Our team are very aware that individuals with neurodiverse presentations may benefit from
movement and a comfort break from the assessment for a brief period.
For video consultations we encourage our Clients to be in a physical space where they feel safe and at peace.
This may be, for example, a certain chair, sofa, blanket and tea that allows an individual to be relaxed and talk freely.
The ADHD clinical assessment explores :
Executive Functioning
This investigation explores symptoms across Self Organisation, Self Restraint,
Self Motivation, Self Regulation of Emotions, & Self Management to Time.
Executive Functioning challenges encompasses:
Difficulty with focused and sustained attention
Hype-focusing ,Distractability, Procrastination,
Verbal & cognitive impulsivity, Behavioural Impulsivity,
Difficulties with emotional regulation & Rejection sensitivity,
Planning & prioritisation, Time Blindness
Working Memory, Inner Restlessness, Insomnia & Sleep hygiene
The clinical assessment uses :
Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS)
Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS)
Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ)
Insomnia Rating Scale
Semi Structured ADHD Interview
This means this discussion is informal and not a rigid clinical interview.
At Rainbow we believe that adults who have been living with undiagnosed ADHD are the expert in sharing the challenges, and the consequences they have experienced due to deficits in their executive functioning.
This activity is conducted using the :
DIVA-5, the diagnostic interview for ADHD in adults
The adult ADHD self-report Scale (ASRS)
Co-occuring Mental Health Disorders
The symptoms of ADHD are common in other mental health disorders.
An evaluation will consider whether the symptoms belong to ADHD, another mental health condition, another physical health condition, or if they represent more than one disorder.
ADHD can be present with other mental health disorders.
The clinical assessment uses the:
SCID-5, The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5
Screening measures for: Trauma, Autism, Bipolar Mood Disorder
Psychiatrists are specialists in diagnosing, and treating the range of adult mental health and psychiatric disorders.
The Psychiatrist confirms the diagnosis of ADHD.
They are trained in understanding how medication works on the brain and body and any interactions or potential complications between different medications.
Dr Lewis will collaboratively discuss ADHD medication:
Finding the correct dose
With stimulant medication is fundamental to gaining benefits of longer attention, less distractibility, greater focused attention, less difficulty with starting and finishing activities that are boring, long, tedious, repetitive, difficult, needing a lot of thought or preparation or do not offer an immediate reward.
The optimal dose
For ADHD medication is not determined by height or weight, but is determined by how efficiently the medication is metabolised in the GI tract, how efficiently the medication is metabolised and how efficiently the medication passes across the blood brain barrier
The correct dose is specific to each person and one person may require a much higher dose to obtain the same benefits as another individual. Some people may experience mild physical side- effects, and so an approach of gradually testing out a gradually increased dose, incrementally, is required.
Dr Lewis has created a comprehensive Improvements & Side Effects Diary to help monitor your progress and decide on the most suitable dose of ADHD medication.
The easy to read diary includes explanations and answers to any common occurring side effects which sometimes present while a person in adapting to the medication at different doses.
Our approach follows an established approach of diluting medication in water, and by using a plastic syringe, gradually increasing the amount of the solution every three days.
Adults with undiagnosed ADHD frequently fail to remember their behaviour in preschool and early school years, meaning their recall is not part of a valid diagnostic approach.
Parents and family maybe biased or have selective memory about an adolescent. There for calling in to question the validity of information. At RMC we explore your later adolescence years and your adult life lived experiences.
Requesting collaborative information for an adult, from another adult, can be highly invalidating.
At RMC we do not follow this approach and utilise the extensive skill and collaborative discussion that our mental health clinicians possess in collaboratively eliciting this personal history.
We encourage a partner or adult family members to be present in the clinical assessment, if the client wishes this to be so. Clients can also find it helpful when completing the self report electronic questionnaires to share the questions, for a perspective from another trusted adult, this is different, to having another adult, as part of the assessment process complete a set of detailed questions about another adult.
RMC uses the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults (DIVA) as the guiding clinical model to collaboratively discuss your symptoms, in an informal and compassionate approach.
Family History of neurodevelopmental disorders is an important aspect of the assessment.
However ADD as it was known, or Autism, are less likely to have been identified in the parents of adults.
At RMC we are acutely aware of the historical gender inequality and firmly hold the view that clients are the expert in their own lived experience.
The diagnostic clinical assessment is conducted using a semi-structured clinical interview, which explores the presentation as an Executive Functioning Deficits Disorder
The DSM-5’s list of symptoms associated with ADHD – especially those reflecting inattention, should be renamed or broadened for adults.
A better way to think about and detect these symptoms are as problems with executive functioning (EF).
These metacognitive functions – self-awareness, working memory, self-motivation, and more –
allow us to meet goals.
With ADHD, persistence is deficient for a variety of reasons rooted in executive dysfunction:
The term “Attention Deficit“ is unhelpful and leads to confusion and misunderstanding of
exactly what this presentation is.
Hyperactivity is one of the many aspects of ADHD, however adults with ADHD are not hyperactive in the same way an 8 year boy is. This misunderstanding is what has lead to so many adults remaining undiagnosed for so long.
The term “hyperactivity ” current evidence shows, has no diagnostic validity in adults, and should be replaced with Impulsivity. Impulsivity has the potential to lead to significant negative consequences for adults in multiple areas of their life.
The most significant issue is that the current diagnostic criteria and terms used are wholly inadequate and discriminatory when considering how this disorder presents in Women and Adolescent girls.
Our diagnostic approach embraces the most up to date clinical evidence in exploring an Executive Functioning Self Regulation Deficit Disorder in Females.
An evidence based adult ADHD Executive Functioning self-report measure is an integral aspect of this interview.
The assessment also explores if different psychiatric disorders are present, as other disorders frequently co-occur with ADHD.
Certain psychiatric disorders share similar symptoms with ADHD and the assessment will explore this differential aspect.
Executive Functioning encompasses working memory, self-inhibition, resistance to distraction, attentional shifting, organising, planning, self-monitoring and time blindness.
A functional impairment indicates that the available resources, comprised of internal resources eg, ability to concentrate, remember, and not be impulsive) and external resources (eg, support from parents and teachers), are inadequate to meet the environmental demands (eg, academic, occupational, financial, and social functions) that tend to increase in number, scope, and complexity with increasing age and level of independence.
As the numbers and levels of internal and external resources differ between individuals, functional impairments will emerge at different timepoints; some patients will demonstrate impairments early in childhood, whereas impairments may not emerge in others until later in life.
At RMC we explore your lived experience of your impairments and when they emerged for you and that may well be into your adult life.
The ADHD diagnostic consultation adheres to the following clinical practice guidelines & frameworks
Rainbow Mandala Clinic acknowledges that the current criteria listed in the DSM-5 is not representing the significant knowledge and clinical evidence which demonstrates that ADHD is
an Executive Functioning and Self Regulation Deficit Disorder.
Further the current diagnostic guidelines do not validate or explore how ADHD presents differently in females across age, menstrual cycle and reproductive health life cycle.
At Rainbow we have an in-depth understanding of how ADHD symptoms in adult females, both undiagnosed and diagnosed, really present and how and why these symptoms look different at different stages of life, menstrual cycle and peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Rejection sensitivity is not a formal diagnosis or disorder, but man
At Rainbow we have an in-depth understanding of how ADHD symptoms in adult females, both undiagnosed and diagnosed, really present and how and why these symptoms look different at different stages of life, menstrual cycle and peri-menopause, menopause and post-menopause.
Rejection sensitivity is not a formal diagnosis or disorder, but many women report that the inability to control their reactions to rejection is one of the most undermining aspects of their ADHD.
Impaired executive functions and emotional dysregulation increase the tendency to personalise ambiguous social interactions, interpret them negatively, and be unable to regulate an emotional reaction to the interaction that prompted it.
For too many years, women with ADHD have been routinely dismissed, disregarded, and misdiagnosed when they pursue evaluations and diagnoses for impairments like distractibility, executive dysfunction, and emotional dysregulation. Despite a growing canon of research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) in girls and women, many clinicians continue to get it wrong — misattributing symptoms of ADHD in females to anxiety, mood disorder, or even hormones.
Many studies highlight the problem of rater/informant bias in parent and teacher reports. Some show that teachers are more likely to refer boys for ADHD treatment, even when such boys show equal or lower levels of impairment compared to female students.
Women and girls with ADHD have a distinct symptom presentation, with internalizing symptoms (eg, inattentiveness) being more prominent than externalizing symptoms (eg, impulsiveness and hyperactivity).
Their symptoms are more likely to be overlooked and they are less likely to be referred for diagnosis and treatment.
Females with ADHD may develop better coping strategies than males with ADHD and, as a result, can better mask or mitigate the impact of their ADHD symptoms.
ADHD Missed diagnosis of ADHD in women and girls may occur when anxiety or depression presents in association with ADHD because symptoms of ADHD may mistakenly be attributed to the coexisting condition.
The clinical assessment our Clinical Director, Phil, undertakes embraces all aspects covered in this discussion, and this is conducted in an informal, relaxed manner, while blending his extensive experience and knowledge of under diagnosis, misdiagnosis, emotional disregulation, rejection sensitivity, impulsivity and executive functioning and self regulation deficits that present with the disorder that is still named ADHD. Phil’s strong commitment to the Social Work values of social justice, human rights, identity and recognition of individuals who have been not heard or seen is at the Heart of the Rainbow Mandala philosophy.
Further we understand clinically the significant challenges that can present when untreated ADHD and either PMS or PMDD are present. Research has not yet explained the disproportionate links between ADHD and both PMDD and postpartum mood disorders, and currently science does not know why women with ADHD appear more sensitive to the hormo
Further we understand clinically the significant challenges that can present when untreated ADHD and either PMS or PMDD are present. Research has not yet explained the disproportionate links between ADHD and both PMDD and postpartum mood disorders, and currently science does not know why women with ADHD appear more sensitive to the hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle and the hormonal changes following childbirth
ADHD Missed diagnosis of ADHD in women and girls may occur when anxiety or depression presents in association with ADHD because symptoms of ADHD may mistakenly be attributed to the coexisting condition.
Significantly there are situations where Women have been misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, or not accurately diagnosed
ADHD Missed diagnosis of ADHD in women and girls may occur when anxiety or depression presents in association with ADHD because symptoms of ADHD may mistakenly be attributed to the coexisting condition.
Significantly there are situations where Women have been misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, or not accurately diagnosed with both disorder. Impulsivity and emotional disregulation are present in both disorders, however careful clinical assessment questions and a true understanding of both disorders can ensure Clients are clinically supported with different disorders. The same scenario historically has occurred with respect to Bipolar Mood Disorder and unfortunately is still occurring.
Psychiatric Assessment & Treatment:
$900
Medicare rebate $247.25
Fee $652.75
Clinical Assessment:
1.5 hours with Mental Health Clinician
Psychiatric Consultation:
30 mins with Psychiatrist
A GP referral is required.
Information on Psychiatric Medication
Psychiatric Disorders treated:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Cyclothymic Disorder (CD), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
OCD, General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Phobias & Agoraphobia
Social Anxiety Disorder, Adjustment Disorders
Bipolar Mood Disorder
PTSD & C-PTSD
Difficult to Treat Depression (DTD) has a number of psychiatric treatment pathway
options and can be supported with Clinical Psychology collaboration.
RMC works closely with a select number of Clinical Psychologists who are affiliated with RMC.
Psychiatric Consultation:
Gender Dysphoria encompassing diagnosis in preparation for gender affirming surgery
Rainbow Mandala Clinic is a safe space where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer, other sexuality, gender and bodily diverse clients are truly heard and understood
Rainbow-Mandala Clinic is :
Gender affirming
Queer affirming
Neurodivergent affirming
Neurodivergent-affirming care is a therapeutic approach that creates an environment and treatment plan rooted in a deep understanding of neurodivergence.
Our team views neurodivergence not as a flaw that needs correction but as a distinct neurotype or brain style that is an integral part of an individual's identity
Our team of experienced psychiatrists and mental health professionals are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our patients. We are committed to ongoing education and training to ensure that we are up-to-date with the latest advances in the field of psychiatry.
Our Team :
Telehealth Clinic
Monday I Tuesday I Thursday
I Fortnightly Saturday
Face to Face Clinic
Fortnightly Saturday
Weekly Tuesday
5/55 Lathlain Street
In Canberra Psychology Services
Belconnen
ACT, 2617
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |
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