Clinical Psychologist in Sydney’s Inner West for ADHD, Burnout, LGBTQ+ and Alcohol & Substance Support
Evidence‑based therapy for adults, in‑person and via telehealth.
Dr Neil Lucas, PhD
Working for many years in high‑pressure environments taught me how easily people can feel pushed to keep up, hold everything together, or meet expectations that aren’t sustainable. This is often to the detriment of both workplace performance and life outside of work. It also highlighted how important it is to have a space where you don’t have to perform, where you can be genuine, supported and fully yourself. That’s the kind of therapeutic space I aim to offer.
My Path to Practice
Before completing my PhD in Clinical Psychology, I spent nearly 20 years in corporate marketing and business development. I understand the pressure, pace and psychological toll of those environments first‑hand. This experience sparked my interest in what helps people endure and stay well, which led to my doctoral research on stigma, resilience and wellbeing. These themes now anchor my clinical work and support clients navigating complex social and professional contexts.
Who I Work With
I work with adults (18+) and offer sessions in person or via telehealth. I have a strong commitment to LGBTQIA+ and neurodivergent‑affirming practice, and I often work with people navigating demanding careers or high‑pressure environments. Clients come to me for support with ADHD, burnout, alcohol or substance concerns, and a range of emotional, identity and relational challenges.
Anxiety, Depression, OCD & Phobias
This work focuses on understanding the cognitive and behavioural patterns that shape your experience. Using evidence‑based approaches, including CBT, ACT and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), I support you to interrupt unhelpful cycles and build more effective ways of responding.
ADHD & Autism Support
Navigating a world designed for neurotypical brains can be exhausting. I provide a supportive space to explore your neurodivergence, with a focus on neuro‑affirming approaches that work with your brain rather than against it.
Alcohol & Substance Use
I offer a non‑judgemental, harm‑reduction approach to alcohol and substance use, utilising Motivational Interviewing (MI) and CBT to help you explore your relationship with substances. Whether you are seeking to reduce use, work towards abstinence or understand the role substances play in your life, I support you to navigate these choices in line with your own goals.
Professional Burnout
Drawing on my corporate background, I support professionals navigating high‑pressure environments. Using ACT, CBT and Schema Therapy, I work with you to identify the drivers of burnout, establish boundaries and address the deeper patterns that make it difficult to disconnect.
My Approach
My approach is collaborative and affirming, using evidence‑based frameworks without the jargon (unless you want it). I aim to create a therapeutic space that feels human, grounded and supportive, where you feel heard and can strengthen your sense of agency.
Please note: This practice does not provide crisis or emergency services.
Human Connection
I bring compassion, empathy and a touch of humour to our sessions, creating a grounded and genuine conversation where your experiences are understood in the context of your whole life, not only the symptoms you’re managing.
Strengths-Based & Collaborative
We work together to identify your existing strengths and the areas where new tools might help you move forward. I often use a whiteboard to map out your experiences, creating a clear visual that brings together strategies, theory and goals. Many clients find it helpful to have something they can refer back to between sessions.
Inclusivity as a Standard
My commitment to social justice guides my practice. I aim to create a space where clients feel heard, valued, respected and supported in engaging with their own growth.
Fees & FAQs
Fees
A standard 50‑minute consultation is $285.00, with no additional processing charges.
Medicare rebates
If your GP has prepared a current Mental Health Treatment Plan for you, you may be eligible for a Medicare rebate of $145.25 per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year with a clinical psychologist. With this rebate applied, your out‑of‑pocket cost is $139.75 per session.
Private health insurance
If you have private health insurance that includes psychology, you may be able to claim a rebate instead of Medicare. Rebates vary between funds and levels of cover, so it’s best to check directly with your insurer to confirm your entitlements.
I do not offer Bulk Billing, NDIS‑funded services, WorkCover claims, EAP sessions, or DVA services.
A valid credit or debit card is required when booking your first appointment, and payments are processed securely through the booking system (Halaxy).
My fees reflect the time, training, and professional responsibilities involved in providing psychological services as a clinical psychologist. This includes the session itself, as well as the work that occurs outside the room - such as clinical planning, record‑keeping, administrative tasks (including processing payments, managing bookings, and preparing GP correspondence), and ongoing professional development.
The APS National Schedule of Suggested Fees recommends $318 for a standard 46–60 minute consultation. My current fee of $285 is set below this guideline while still allowing me to provide high‑quality, ethical, and sustainable care.
I provide limited report writing when it is directly related to your therapeutic care. These documents are brief and may include short clinical summaries, attendance letters, or general updates to other treating professionals. These are clinical letters only and are not medico‑legal reports.
I do not prepare documents that require formal assessments, detailed opinions, or reports intended for third‑party decision‑making. This includes legal matters, workplace or HR documentation, insurance claims, NDIS applications or reviews, Centrelink forms, or university special‑consideration requests.
Brief reports or letters are billed at my full session rate of $285, calculated pro rata for the time required, plus GST. The time needed depends on the nature of the request, and I can advise you about this once I understand what is required.
Notice period and process
Your appointment time is reserved specifically for you. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice (business days) so the time can be offered to someone else who may be waiting for support. All cancellations and changes are made through the client portal.
Late cancellations and non‑attendance
Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice (business days), or non‑attendance (not attending without cancelling), incur the full session fee of $285. Medicare does not provide rebates for cancelled or missed sessions.
Unexpected circumstances
If something unforeseen prevents you from attending, contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss the situation.
Ready to start?
If you feel we might be a good fit, you’re welcome to get in touch to arrange a free 10‑minute call. It’s a chance for me to understand what you’re looking for, answer any initial questions, and help you get a sense of whether my approach feels right for you.
Please note: This practice is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent support, please contact emergency services (000) or a national crisis line such as Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467).
GP Referrals - Fax: 02 8360 5954 | Healthlink EDI: LUCASPSY
Address
422 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204, Australia
ABN
19644525658
Get in touch
Please enter your general enquiry below. For your privacy, do not include sensitive clinical or health information. For more details on how I handle your data, see the Privacy Policy below.
Privacy Policy - LUCAS Psychology
Your privacy and confidentiality are central to how I work. This page explains, in simple terms, how your information is collected, stored, used, and protected when you contact the practice, use the online booking portal, or engage in psychological services.
I only collect the minimum information needed to respond to your enquiry:
Your name
Your email
Your phone number
Your general message
Please avoid including sensitive clinical or health information in the enquiry form. Clinical information is collected later through the secure Halaxy intake process.
If you proceed with therapy, additional information is collected through Halaxy, including:
Contact details
Date of birth
Medicare information
GP and referral details
Emergency contact
Payment information
Clinical notes and treatment records
Telehealth session details (Microsoft Teams)
Psychometric assessment data (via NovoPsych)
This information is required to provide safe, ethical, and effective psychological care.
Your information is stored securely in the following systems:
Halaxy – used for all clinical records, contact details, Medicare information, referrals, appointment history, invoices, and treatment notes. Halaxy Privacy Policy: https://www.halaxy.com/article/privacy
NovoPsych – used for psychometric assessments and scoring. NovoPsych stores data on secure Australian servers and complies with Australian privacy standards. NovoPsych Privacy Policy: https://novopsych.com/privacy-policy/
NovoNote – used for clinical note‑taking, documentation, and (where enabled and consented to) AI‑assisted transcription. All data is stored on secure Australian servers, and NovoNote complies with Australian privacy and data‑protection standards. NovoNote Privacy Policy: https://novonote.com/privacy-policy/
HealthLink – used for secure clinical communication with GPs and other health providers (e.g., sending/receiving referrals, reports, and care‑coordination documents). HealthLink uses encrypted messaging and complies with Australian privacy and security standards. HealthLink Privacy Policy: https://www.healthlink.net/privacy-policy/
Outlook / Microsoft 365 – used for general administrative email communication (non‑clinical). Microsoft Privacy Statement: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-au/privacystatement
VentraIP – used for website hosting and transmission of website enquiry forms. VentraIP Privacy Policy: https://ventraip.com.au/privacy-policy/
Only Dr Neil Lucas (Clinical Psychologist) has access to client records and assessment data, and your consent is required before any information is shared.
Website enquiries are stored securely but are not considered clinical records unless you proceed with treatment.
Clinical records are retained in line with Psychology Board of Australia requirements:
7 years after your last contact, or
Until age 25 if you were under 18 at the time of service
Website enquiry submissions are kept only as long as needed to respond to your message.
If you discontinue therapy, your records remain securely stored for the required retention period and are not accessed unless legally required or requested by you.
Your information is used to:
Provide psychological services
Manage bookings and communication
Maintain accurate clinical records
Coordinate care with your GP or other health providers (with consent)
Meet legal and professional obligations
Your information is never used for marketing or without your consent.
Your information is confidential. It will only be shared when:
You provide written consent
It is required by law
There is a serious and imminent risk of harm
It is required for Medicare or insurance claims
It is used in professional supervision (de‑identified only)
A court order or subpoena legally requires release of information (you will be informed wherever possible)
Psychologists are required to maintain confidentiality except in specific circumstances, including:
Serious and imminent risk of harm to you or others
Mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., child protection concerns)
Court orders or subpoenas
Legal obligations under NSW or Commonwealth law
Where possible, I will discuss these situations with you before any information is shared.
In line with the Psychology Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct (2025), informed consent is obtained before psychological services are provided. Psychologists must provide information in a way you can understand and check that you understand this information.
Consent is an ongoing process and may be discussed again if there are significant changes to the nature or purpose of the service, or if new information is needed for you to make an informed decision.
You may withdraw or modify your consent at any time, except where information must be retained or disclosed to comply with legal or professional obligations.
Telehealth sessions are conducted via Microsoft Teams, which uses encrypted communication. You are encouraged to choose a private, quiet space for your session.
Clinical information is not sent via email unless specifically requested by you and considered appropriate.
Lucas Psychology uses NovoPsych, a secure Australian‑based platform, to administer psychological questionnaires and score psychometric assessments.
NovoPsych, via NovoNote, also offers AI‑assisted transcription and analysis tools, which may be used to support clinical efficiency. When these tools are used:
Sessions are not recorded (no audio or video recording is made)
Only information you provide during the assessment or session is processed
Data is handled securely within the NovoPsych/NovoNote system
Your identifiable information is not shared with external AI systems
Your data is not used to train third‑party AI models
AI tools are never used to make clinical decisions independently. All interpretations and treatment decisions are made solely by Dr Neil Lucas (Clinical Psychologist).
You may withdraw consent for the use of AI‑assisted tools at any time.
Yes. You may request access to your personal information or ask for corrections if you believe any details are inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. Access will be provided in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles and professional standards. In some cases, information may be provided in a clinically appropriate format to protect privacy, safety, or legal requirements.
If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, you may contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). If your concern relates to professional conduct, you may contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA).
The website is hosted by VentraIP, which may collect basic, non‑identifying technical information (e.g., browser type, device type). Lucas Psychology does not intentionally use additional analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Meta Pixel. If this changes, this page will be updated.
Yes. This FAQ will be updated periodically to reflect changes in practice operations or privacy requirements.