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Dr Laura Bennett | Clinical Neuropsychologist & Clinical Psychologist

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DPsych(Clin/ClinNeuro), PostGradDipPsych(Hons), GradDipPsych, BBus, MAPS, FCCLP, MCCN, MACNpA

 

Dr Laura Bennett has over 15 years of experience working across private practice, hospital, and multidisciplinary settings.  She works with adults with interests in mental health, trauma, neurodiversity, personality, memory and cognitive functioning, and helping individuals and families make sense of complex or longstanding difficulties.

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Known for her thoughtful and highly individualised approach, Dr Bennett takes the time to understand the whole person rather than focusing on symptoms in isolation.  Her work draws on expertise across neurodevelopmental, neurological, and mental health presentations, particularly where multiple factors may be contributing to an individual's experiences.

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Dr Bennett's approach is centred on developing a meaningful understanding of how a person functions, including their cognitive strengths and vulnerabilities, the factors that may be contributing to their difficulties, and what may help them function and live well. Rather than assuming that assessment must lead to a particular diagnostic conclusion, the emphasis is on providing useful insight, a thoughtful clinical formulation, and practical recommendations. Her approach is strengths-based, evidence-informed, and grounded in both compassion and clinical rigour. 

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Therapy:​

Dr Bennett has a small therapy case load. Her books are currently closed to new therapy referrals. 

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Neuropsychological Assessment:

Dr Bennett is currently focusing her assessment practice on neurocognitive and neuropsychological assessment. These assessments aim to develop a detailed understanding of how a person is functioning across areas such as attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning and learning, and how their cognitive profile interacts with their physical health, psychological wellbeing and everyday functioning. 

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Assessment may be helpful when there are questions about:

- changes in cognitive functioning following neurological or medical illness, injury or treatment

- difficulties with attention, memory, processing speed or executive functioning

- cognitive strengths and vulnerabilities

- the impact of cognitive difficulties on work, study, independence or everyday life

- functional capacity and support needs

- complex presentations where several neurological, neurodevelopmental, psychological or medical factors may be contributing

- treatment planning

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Dr Bennett is also open to some referrals where the goal is to develop a richer understanding of an individual's cognitive and psychological profile, including strengths, vulnerabilities, giftedness or neurodivergent traits. In these cases, assessment is approached with curiosity and clinical humility, rather than with the assumption that there will necessarily be a single or definitive diagnostic explanation.

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What Dr Bennett is not currently offering:

Dr Bennett is not currently accepting referrals where the primary purpose of the assessment is to confirm or exclude a psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diagnosis. This includes stand-alone ADHD and autism diagnostic assessments. 

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Rather, Dr Bennett's current focus is on using assessment to understand how someone is functioning, what may be contributing to their difficulties, and what may help, rather than using assessment primarily to determine which diagnostic label best applies. 

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This shift is not because Dr Bennett has lost interest in diagnostic work. Rather, having worked extensively in this area for many years, she has reached a point in her career where she would like some space to step back, reflect, and recalibrate how she wants this part of her practice to look going forward. For now, this means returning her assessment work to developing a nuanced understanding of the individual, their cognitive and psychological functioning, and the practical implications for their everyday life. 

 

This reflects the current focus of Dr Bennett's practice rather than a judgement about the value of diagnostic assessment. Where obtaining or clarifying a particular psychiatric or neurodevelopmental diagnosis is the main goal, another clinician may be better suited to the referral. 

 

Not sure whether your referral fits?

The distinction is not always straightforward, particularly for complex presentations. If you are unsure, you are very welcome to send through your referral or a brief description of what you are hoping to understand. Dr Bennett reviews all assessment enquiries individually and will let you know whether her current approach is likely to be a good fit. 

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Referrals can be made via Medical Objects or email (info@mindmatterssc.com.au).

Alternatively, please submit an online inquiry below.​

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