Compassionate Psychiatry
Personalised care for your mental health
An Important Message About ADHD Diagnosis
Our Psychiatry team welcomes and provides expert psychiatric care to patients of all gender identities. They have the added benefit of working across both public and private medical systems, thus enhancing patient care.
Our subspecialty expertise in women's health psychiatry adds a beneficial layer of specialised knowledge to our comprehensive care approach.
Why See a Psychiatrist?
Mental health is never just in the mind. At Ponti, we recognise that mental health is influenced by everything from hormonal changes to life transitions, reproductive experiences, and trauma. A psychiatrist is uniquely equipped to understand these connections and provide treatment that’s evidence-based, compassionate, and tailored to your lived experience.
Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, mood swings, or emotional overwhelm, our psychiatrists offer a safe space to explore your concerns and create a treatment plan that works for you. That may include therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or support alongside other specialists in our team.
What Can a Psychiatrist Help With?
Our Sydney-based psychiatrists specialise in treating a wide range of mental health concerns, particularly those that intersect with women’s life stages and hormonal changes. They can support you with:
Perinatal anxiety and depression (during or after pregnancy)
Postnatal psychosis and severe mood disorders
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
Mood swings related to PMS, perimenopause or PCOS
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Generalised anxiety and panic attacks
Depression and low mood
Sleep disturbances and fatigue
Emotional dysregulation
Trauma and grief
Complex mental health conditions require medication.
Psychiatrist vs Psychologist — Which One Do I Need?
It’s common to feel unsure whether to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Here's the key difference:
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication. They often manage more complex or hormone-influenced concerns.
A psychologist provides talk therapy and helps you understand patterns, behaviours and emotions through counselling-based support.
At Ponti, we offer integrated care, allowing your psychiatrist and psychologist to collaborate as needed. If you’re unsure where to start, booking with our women’s health GP can be a great first step, especially if you’re considering medication or feeling overwhelmed.
A GP referral is required for your medical history and to access Medicare rebates.
We welcome patients from the Department of Veteran Affairs seeking Esketamine/Spravato treatment.
We sadly don’t accept any DVA/Workers Compensation/Work Cover/NDIS referrals from new patients.
Why Choose Ponti’s Psychiatrists?
At Ponti, we understand that women’s health is deeply personal and often complex. That’s why our psychiatrists take the time to truly listen, investigate thoroughly, and care for you holistically. We're not just here for quick scripts or rushed check-ups. We're here for real conversations, collaborative care, and long-term wellbeing.
Here’s what makes our approach different:
Longer appointments that allow space for your story and your needs
Specialised in women’s mental health across all life stages
Warm, safe space to talk about anything without fear or judgement
Collaborative care model physiotherapists, psychologists, GPs and more
Holistic approach that includes lifestyle, trauma history, hormones and stress
Convenient Sydney location with a warm, calming space designed for women’s health. Virtual sessions also available.
An Important Message About ADHD Diagnosis
October 17th 2025
We're writing to share something important we've been noticing more and more often—and we want to ensure you have the right information before investing time, energy, and money in the wrong direction.
We've been receiving numerous enquiries from people who have been to diagnostic centres specialising in ADHD, where they have been told their next step is to "see a psychiatrist for medication."
Here's what you need to know: in Australia, as of Oct 2025, psychiatrists are the only medical providers who can both diagnose and treat ADHD.
(This is changing in NSW from January 2026, when specially trained GPs can diagnose and treat ADHD).
In fact, a thorough ADHD assessment by a psychiatrist includes:
A comprehensive review of your medical history
Understanding your current physical health (which impacts both diagnosis and treatment)
Exploring your symptoms in context—not in isolation
A proper diagnostic evaluation
A personalised treatment plan that may include medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, or all of the above
Many patients have come to us disappointed and frustrated after spending significant resources at diagnostic centres, only to learn they need to start the process again with a psychiatrist for a complete assessment.
Our advice?
Start with your GP. They know your health history and can provide a referral to a psychiatrist, which is essential for Medicare rebates and ensures continuity of care. If you're already seeing a psychologist you trust, speak with them too—they can support you through the process and work collaboratively with your psychiatrist.
Before embarking on assessments at standalone diagnostic centres, have a conversation with your regular healthcare providers. They can help you understand the most effective—and most efficient—path forward.
If you have questions about ADHD assessment or treatment, our team is here to help. We believe in providing you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your health.
Click here to send us your referral, or click here to make an appointment with our GP who specialises in Mental Health.
Psychiatrists
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Dr. Gaurav Tandon
Psychiatrist
MBBS, DCH, Grad Dip Public Health, FRANZCP
Member of the Australian Menopause Society -
Dr. Jessica Kinder
Psychiatrist
FRANZCP, Consultation Liaison Advanced Training Certificate, MBBS (Hons1), BBiomedSci (Hons1) -
Dr Charlotte Rydstrand
Important Information
Please read important information around your booking and services prior to attending your appointment. If you have any questions about your booking, please reach out to enquiries@pontihealth.com.
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When booking appointments through HotDoc, we require valid card details to be provided and stored securely at the time of reservation.
Your consideration helps us ensure equitable access to timely care for all patients. We're committed to working collaboratively with you to find practical solutions when challenges arise.
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To secure your initial psychiatry consultation, we require a $400 deposit at the time of booking. Your deposit will be applied towards your consultation fee on the day of your appointment.
The deposit is fully refundable with 48 hours' notice of cancellation
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We understand that life can be unpredictable. We do ask for advance notice which allows us to offer your appointment to someone on our waiting list. We currently have waitlists for appointments (which we wish we didn't), and many patients are hoping for earlier availability.
We are available via 0272010015 or if you have Concierge services, please text us.
Cancellation/Rescheduling: 24 hours notice
To ensure all patients receive the care they deserve, we kindly ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
Running Late?
Please Call us 0272010015 or if you have Concierge service, please text us.
We completely understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes delays are simply unavoidable.
To ensure we can provide the best care for all our patients, please call or text us immediately if you're running behind schedule. We'll always do our best to accommodate you.
What to expect:
Up to 15 minutes late: We'll still see you, though your appointment may be shortened to respect other patients' scheduled times
Full consultation fee applies regardless of appointment length, as your time slot remains reserved for you
Why this matters: We currently have waitlists for appointments (which we wish we didn't), and many patients are hoping for earlier availability. When we can predict delays, we're sometimes able to contact waiting patients to offer your slot, then reschedule you appropriately.
No-Show Policy
We care deeply about ensuring every patient has access to the care they need. To support this, we have comprehensive reminder systems in place - we'll text, email, and call to confirm your appointment.
Despite these efforts, some patients don't attend their scheduled appointments. This impacts not only our ability to provide timely care but also means another patient who needed that appointment time has missed their opportunity for support.
When you don't attend a scheduled appointment without prior notice, you'll be charged the full consultation fee. Additionally, we'll require a deposit before booking your next appointment.
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Once your out-of-pocket medical expenses reach $2,615.50 in a calendar year, Medicare steps in to cover up to 80% of additional costs for Medicare-subsidised services (MBS).
This benefit happens automatically for individuals. Families need to register once to activate this coverage.
The Safety Net applies to all out-of-hospital medical services listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule, helping to make your ongoing care more affordable.
Read more about the Medicare Safety Net here.
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Medicare benefits are available and vary based on the type of consultation and eligible services provided. You will be required to pay the full cost of the consultation. At the time of payment, we’ll process the electronic Medicare claim for you, which will be credited directly to your debit card or the bank account that you've registered with Medicare.
If you are on a Mental Health Care Plan or an Enhanced Primary Care Plan, you will also be eligible for a benefit from Medicare.
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If you have Private Health Insurance you may be eligible to claim benefits through Extras cover for allied health services such as physiotherapy, psychology, and more. The amount you can claim will depend on your specific level of cover and the service provided.
For more details on your entitlements and how to claim, please check your policy or contact your Private Health Insurer directly.
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Our Psychiatrist, Psychologist and Mental Health GPs work as a team and can step in and support you during business hours, even if your specific doctor is away.
However, should you or someone you know require urgent crisis assistance, pls call please call 000 and ask for immediate support. You can also present to your nearest Emergency or Accident and Emergency service at your local hospital for immediate intervention and support.
The 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line is NSW Health's 24/7 statewide phone service, linking people with NSW Health mental health services. It is a free service.
It is staffed by trained mental health professionals who:
Offer mental health advice
Complete a brief assessment
Make recommendations for appropriate care, including referral to NSW Health mental health services.
The mental health professional will ask you questions to understand your needs and recommend appropriate services.
There are also other mental health resources provided by the state government of NSW, accessible via
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/default.aspx
Other Specialist Services