Referring a patient to Inner Help: information for GPs
How GPs refer adult patients for ADHD assessment and neurodivergent-informed therapy at Inner Help: what to include, pre-referral workup, shared care and what you receive back.
In brief. Inner Help provides online adult ADHD assessment and care (GP-led with psychiatrist oversight), a planned psychologist-led adult autism assessment, and neurodivergent-informed psychology and counselling. We work in shared care with the patient's regular GP. This page explains what we do and do not do, what to include in a referral, the recommended pre-referral workup, how shared care runs, and what you receive back. A downloadable GP kit with a referral template and workup checklist is at the end.
What we do
Adult ADHD assessment and care
ADHD assessment with Inner Help opens state by state in 2026: GP-led with psychiatrist oversight, workup at a clinic near you, price and process published in full before it opens. Join the waitlist. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy now.
Adult autism assessment
Planned as psychologist-led, following the Australian National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism, with a written report suitable for NDIS, work and study. No medication involved. Opens later in 2026; currently a waitlist. Details at autism assessment.
Therapy
ADHD assessment with Inner Help opens state by state in 2026: GP-led with psychiatrist oversight, workup at a clinic near you, price and process published in full before it opens. Join the waitlist. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy now.
What we do not do
- Adults 18 and over only; no children or adolescents.
- No crisis or emergency care. Patients at acute risk should be directed to local emergency services.
- No guaranteed diagnosis or prescription. Each is a separate clinical decision. A patient who does not meet criteria receives a clear written explanation and next steps.
- We do not prescribe stimulant medication without the pre-referral workup below and, where required by state or territory law, the relevant authority or specialist involvement.
- We do not replace you. Physical health care, other prescribing and the Mental Health Treatment Plan stay with the regular GP.
What to include in a referral
A referral is not required to register, but it speeds assessment and supports shared care. Where possible, include:
- Referral letter with reason, current presentation and duration, developmental, school and work history if known, and your impression.
- Past and current medications, including any prior stimulant or non-stimulant trials and the response.
- Medical history, particularly cardiovascular history, family history of sudden cardiac death, seizures, thyroid disease, glaucoma, and pregnancy or breastfeeding status.
- Mental health history, including any history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, eating difficulties, or substance use that may affect prescribing decisions.
- Any previous assessments or reports, including school reports, psychology reports or a prior diagnosis.
- Your Mental Health Treatment Plan, if the patient is also being referred for psychology under Medicare.
Recommended pre-referral workup
This baseline supports safe prescribing decisions where medication is being considered. Results from the past 12 months need not be repeated.
Examination and observations
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Weight and height (for BMI)
- Cardiovascular examination
Investigations
- 12-lead ECG
- FBC
- EUC
- LFT
- TFT
- Iron studies
If the ECG or history raises cardiac concern, please note it. Our psychiatrist may request cardiology review before any stimulant is considered. The GP kit includes a printable checklist.
How shared care works
Referral and registration
The patient registers online and provides your referral and workup. We confirm receipt to your practice.
Assessment
Structured assessment by our GP with validated rating scales and collateral history, under psychiatrist oversight. You receive a written summary.
Treatment decision
If diagnosis is confirmed and medication is appropriate, prescribing begins under our care with the required state or territory authority. Therapy and other supports are offered regardless.
Ongoing care and handover
ADHD assessment with Inner Help opens state by state in 2026: GP-led with psychiatrist oversight, workup at a clinic near you, price and process published in full before it opens. Join the waitlist. You do not need a diagnosis to start therapy now.
What you receive back
- Confirmation of registration and receipt of your referral.
- A written assessment summary with outcome and reasoning.
- Correspondence at commencement of medication, each dose change and review, with observations and adverse effects.
- A shared-care plan if maintenance prescribing transfers to you.
- Copies of any autism assessment report, with the patient's consent.
- A discharge summary at the end of the care plan.
State and territory rules: summary
Rules on who may diagnose adult ADHD and prescribe stimulants differ by state and territory and are changing. In some jurisdictions, GPs with recognised training may diagnose and initiate or continue stimulants; in others, initiation remains with a psychiatrist or needs a specific authority. Our model is built to meet the patient's jurisdiction: GP-led with psychiatrist oversight, and where specialist initiation is required, our psychiatrist takes that role.
The GP kit includes a state-by-state table of current authority requirements and what they mean for transfer of prescribing. Treat it as a guide and check your state health department's current position.
Download the GP kit
The kit contains a referral template, the workup checklist, a one-page patient explainer and the state-by-state prescribing summary.
Refer a patient.
Download the GP referral kit, or ask our team a question.
Contact
To discuss a patient or a referral, contact our GP liaison: hello@innerhelp.com with "GP" in the subject line. We aim to respond to clinical correspondence within two working days. For urgent matters, please call.
Does the patient need a referral?
No. Patients can register directly. A referral with workup speeds assessment and is needed for shared care and any Medicare psychology rebate.
Who prescribes?
Prescribing is by our GPs with psychiatrist oversight, or by our psychiatrist where the patient's state or territory requires specialist initiation. All prescribers hold current AHPRA registration.
Will you take over all prescribing for the patient?
Only ADHD medication, and only during the care plan. All other prescribing, physical health care and the Mental Health Treatment Plan remain with you.
Does the autism assessment lead to medication?
No. Autism is not treated with medication. The autism assessment is psychologist-led and produces a diagnostic report. Any co-occurring condition is managed separately.
Is the therapy Medicare rebatable?
Per-session psychology under a Mental Health Treatment Plan: $101.55 registered, $149.05 clinical (from 1 July 2026), up to 10 sessions a calendar year. Counsellor sessions and the weekly plan are not rebatable.
References
- Australian ADHD Professionals Association. Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for ADHD, 2022.
- Whitehouse AJO et al. A National Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism in Australia. Autism CRC, 2018; updated 2023.
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Mental health treatment plans and Better Access items.
- State and territory health department guidance on Schedule 8 stimulant prescribing for adult ADHD.
Get the referral kit
A one-page summary of what to include, the tests to order and how shared care works. {ph:GP kit PDF pending medical director review}