When a PTSD assessment can help
Strong reactions after a traumatic event are common, and for many people they ease over the following weeks. When they last longer than a month and affect daily life, it can help to have them properly assessed. People describe:
- Reliving: unwanted memories, nightmares or flashbacks, and distress at reminders
- Avoiding: staying away from places, people, conversations or thoughts linked to the event
- Changes in thinking and mood: guilt, shame, numbness, losing interest, feeling cut off from others
- Being on edge: poor sleep, irritability, startling easily, trouble concentrating
People ask for an assessment to understand what is happening, to guide treatment, or because a GP or psychiatrist has asked for one.
About the CAPS-5 interview
The CAPS-5 (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5) is a structured interview developed to assess PTSD against the current diagnostic criteria. Your psychologist asks about each symptom, how often it happens, how intense it is and how it affects your life, usually over the past month. It gives a clear, standard way to decide whether the criteria for PTSD are met and how severe the symptoms are.
A trauma-informed approach
Talking about trauma can be hard, so the assessment is set up to keep you in control:
- You don't have to describe every detail of what happened; the focus is on how it affects you now
- You can ask for a break, slow down or stop at any time
- Your psychologist explains each step before it happens
- We talk about how you'll look after yourself after the appointment
We are not a crisis service. If you or someone else is in danger, call 000. For 24-hour support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
What happens, step by step
- Get in touch. Call us or send the form on this page. We explain the process and the fee, and you can ask anything before you commit.
- Screening. A first appointment to understand what has been happening, check that a full assessment is the right step, and plan it with you.
- Full CAPS-5 interview. Your psychologist completes the structured interview with you, at a pace that suits you.
- Report. Your psychologist writes the report. They give you a timeline at intake.
- Feedback. You go through the findings and recommendations together, including treatment options.
Your psychologist confirms the estimated cost with you before testing begins.
Fee guide and MediPay payment plans
Assessments are charged at $230 per hour (as of July 2026). The guide fee below is an estimate; the actual cost depends on what is needed, and your psychologist confirms it with you before starting.
| Assessment | Usually includes | Guide fee |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD assessment | Screening, full CAPS-5 interview, report, feedback | $1,500 |
Medicare doesn't cover assessments at Psych Connect.
Flexible payment plans are available through MediPay (eligibility applies).
Payment plans are provided by MediPay Holdings Pty Ltd (Australian Credit Licence 474336), not Psych Connect. Applications are subject to MediPay's credit assessment criteria. Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply.
All our fees are on the fees page.
After the assessment
Your report sets out the findings, whether the criteria for PTSD are met, and recommendations. Trauma-focused therapy is commonly recommended, and our team uses approaches such as trauma-informed CBT and EMDR; see individual therapy. With your consent, a copy of the report goes to your GP or psychiatrist.
DVA, WorkCover, insurers and legal reports
If your assessment has been requested by DVA, WorkCover, an insurer or a lawyer, please ask us before booking, so we can talk about what is needed.
Who does the assessment
PTSD assessments are done by one of our two assessing psychologists. Trauma and PTSD are part of Dr Sirous Momenzadeh's clinical focus.
Dr Sirous Momenzadeh (Clinical Psychologist)
Director and Principal Clinical Psychologist
PhD, MPsych (Clin)
More than 19 years of practice across public and private settings. His clinical focus includes trauma and PTSD, and the assessment of ADHD and autism in adolescents and adults.
Psychologist with an endorsement in clinical psychology (Psychology Board of Australia). AHPRA registration number PSY0000965905.
Farah Sobhanian (Psychologist)
Registered Psychologist
BA Psychology, Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology
More than 18 years in mental health with individuals, couples and families. She completes ADHD assessments and works with anxiety, trauma, grief and loss.
Psychologist with general registration (Psychology Board of Australia). AHPRA registration number PSY0001260612.
Read their full profiles on our team page.
Where: Springfield Central, The Gap or telehealth
- Springfield Central: inside Springfield Doctors, in the Ipswich region.
- The Gap: inside The Gap Village Doctors, in Brisbane's north-west.
- Telehealth: screening and the feedback session can often be done by secure video; your psychologist will talk with you about where the full interview happens.
Not every practitioner works at every clinic on every day, so when you call we'll let you know who is available where. Both clinics are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm; for Saturdays, please call to check.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call 0410 029 886, or see all our assessments.