Understanding how your brain shapes everyday life
Evidence-based neuropsychological assessment and consultation for individuals, families, and the clinicians who support them — delivered with clarity, care, and genuine collaboration.
A different lens on complex presentations
Lucy Charlton is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist consulting from private practice in Collingwood at The Mind Room (opens in a new tab) and Essendon at Launch Psychology (opens in a new tab). She specialises in how changes in brain function affect thinking, mood, behaviour, and day-to-day independence.
Alongside her private practice, Lucy has built extensive experience across specialist hospital settings in Melbourne and Queensland — including the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Units at Epworth Healthcare and Princess Alexandra Hospital, general neurology services at St Vincent's Hospital and Eastern Health, and others. Her clinical work spans a broad range of presentations — from concussion and traumatic brain injury to dementia, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and complex psychiatric conditions. Lucy provides comprehensive, evidence-based assessments that clarify diagnosis, guide treatment planning, and inform real-world recommendations around work, study, driving, independence, and care needs.
At the heart of Lucy's practice is the person behind the assessment. Her warm, client-centred approach ensures every assessment is tailored to the individual's concerns and goals — helping clients and families feel heard, while giving referrers the clarity they need.
Outside the clinic, Lucy is a mother of twin boys and a passionate cook, happiest when sharing food with family and friends.
What is neuropsychological assessment?
Neuropsychology is the study of how the brain shapes the way we think, feel, and behave — and what happens when that relationship is disrupted.
When something affects the brain — through injury, illness, ageing, or a neurological condition — it can change the way a person remembers, communicates, or gets through daily life. These changes aren't always visible, and standard medical tests don't always capture them.
A neuropsychologist is a specialist psychologist trained in how brain systems connect to functions like memory, attention, language, and reasoning. Assessment uses standardised tasks to map cognitive strengths and difficulties — going well beyond a single score or scan result.
Results help clinicians, individuals, and families understand what has changed, what remains intact, and why — guiding diagnosis, treatment planning, and decisions around work, study, independence, and care.
Think of a neuropsychologist as a detective for the brain — bringing together medical history, cognitive testing, and real-world context to answer questions that other assessments can't.
What I assess
I work with adult clients across a broad range of neurological, acquired, and psychiatric presentations. Each assessment is tailored to the referral question and the individual.
Dementia & cognitive decline
Characterising cognitive profiles, clarifying early diagnosis, and guiding care planning for individuals with suspected or confirmed neurodegenerative conditions.
Acquired brain injury & neuro rehab
Assessment following traumatic brain injury, hypoxic/anoxic injury, or encephalitis — supporting rehabilitation planning and return-to-function goals.
Stroke
Evaluation of cognitive sequelae following stroke, including memory, language, processing speed, and executive function to inform rehabilitation and community support.
Epilepsy
Pre- and post-surgical neuropsychological assessment, monitoring of cognitive effects of seizure activity and medication, and functional impact evaluation.
Concussion & mild TBI
Objective assessment of persistent post-concussion symptoms and cognitive inefficiencies, with return-to-work/school/sport readiness recommendations.
Brain cancer & oncology
Pre- and post-operative cognitive evaluation for brain tumour patients — supporting neurosurgical planning, treatment monitoring, and quality-of-life assessment.
Decision-making capacity
Formal capacity assessments for medical, financial, or legal decisions — providing objective evidence to support multidisciplinary teams and legal processes.
Progressive neurological disease
Monitoring cognitive change and informing management for Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, MND, and other progressive conditions.
Alcohol-related brain injury
Cognitive assessment for individuals with ARBI, including Korsakoff syndrome — guiding care planning, capacity evaluation, and support recommendations.
Neurodiversity (ADHD & Autism)
Differential diagnosis and cognitive profiling for adults with suspected ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder — with practical recommendations for everyday life.
Complex & mixed presentations
Cognitive profiling for complex psychiatric presentations where neuropsychological assessment may clarify differential diagnosis or guide treatment.
The assessment process
Each assessment is tailored to the referral question and the individual — typically spanning 1–6 hours across one or more sessions, with a comprehensive written report.
Initial consultation
A thorough clinical interview covering history, current concerns, and assessment goals — ensuring the testing protocol is tailored to the individual.
Formal testing
Gold-standard, standardised tasks evaluating memory, attention, problem-solving, language, and other cognitive domains across one or more sessions.
Analysis & formulation
Results are synthesised into a clinical formulation — identifying strengths and difficulties, interpreted against age-matched norms and the individual's own baseline.
Feedback session
Findings are discussed collaboratively — what they mean for everyday life, ongoing care, and practical strategies to support functional outcomes.
Written report
A clear, detailed report provided to the referrer and client — translating findings into actionable recommendations for clinical and real-world use.
No formal referral letter is required. An email with a brief clinical history and referral question is sufficient to get started.
Referring to Lucy
I welcome referrals from a wide range of clinicians and allied health practitioners. Neuropsychological assessment is most useful when there is diagnostic uncertainty, functional concern, or a need for objective cognitive data to guide management.
Who refers
What to include in a referral
- The referral question — what are you trying to understand?
- Relevant medical and psychiatric history
- Current medications
- Prior neuropsychological reports (if available)
- Neuroimaging results (if available)
- Client consent for the referral
When to refer
Consider a referral when you need objective cognitive data to guide clinical decision-making — including:
- Something doesn't quite add up clinically
- Concerns about attention, memory, or thinking
- Diagnostic uncertainty — neurological vs psychiatric vs both
- Complex or mixed presentations not responding as expected
- Functional concerns (work, study, independent living, driving)
- Capacity assessment required (financial, medical, legal)
- Pre- or post-neurosurgery or oncology treatment
- Monitoring cognitive change over time
- A different perspective is needed to guide intervention
"You don't need to be certain — just curious."
Referrals & enquiries
Whether you're a clinician looking to refer, or an individual seeking assessment, I'd love to hear from you.