What is the Difference Between Psychology and Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS?

Psychology vs Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

If you’re navigating the NDIS, it can sometimes feel confusing to understand the difference between Psychology and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS).

Both are important therapeutic supports (therapies). They can sometimes overlap, but they serve different purposes.

At MyCareSpace, we know that understanding these services clearly helps you make the best choices for yourself or the person you care for.

Psychology: Understanding the Mind and Emotions

Psychology is a clinical health profession.

Psychologists are trained to:

• assess,
• diagnose and
• treat mental health conditions.
   

They can support people with:

• Anxiety, depression and trauma
• Emotional regulation (managing feelings like anger, sadness or stress)
• Learning difficulties or developmental challenges
• Coping strategies for daily life and relationships
   

Psychologists use evidence-based therapies like:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT),
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
• or Counselling.

The focus of Psychology is on improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS): Reducing Behaviours of Concern

Positive Behaviour Support, on the other hand, is a specialised NDIS-funded service designed to understand and reduce behaviours of concern.

Behaviours of concern might include:

• aggression,
• self-harm,
• running away (absconding),
• or damaging property.

These behaviours are often a form of communication – a way for someone to express distress, frustration or unmet needs when words are not enough.

PBS practitioners develop a Behaviour Support Plan, which includes:

• Assessing the reasons behind a behaviour
• Identifying triggers in the person’s environment
• Teaching new skills and safer ways to communicate needs
• Supporting families, carers and support workers to respond consistently

PBS is strongly guided by the NDIS Commission and must follow strict guidelines, especially when restrictive practices (like physical restraint or medication to control behaviour) are being considered.

See our resource: What are Restrictive Practices in the NDIS

The focus of PBS is always on improving quality of life and supporting independence.

Do my NDIS Providers need to be NDIS registered to deliver PBS?

Behaviour Support Practitioners need to be registered as an individual with the NDIS Commission. They can be a sole provider or employed by an NDIS Provider.

A Practitioner may work for a Registered or Non-registered NDIS provider.

Only registered providers can implement restrictive practices. 

If there are no restrictive practices being implemented by the Provider, non-registered providers can be used (so long as their PBS Practitioner is registered).

Behaviour Support Practitioners must be:

• supervised by another Behaviour Support Practitioner with a greater level of experience than them
• provide evidence of their capabilities to the NDIS Commission via a Self Assessment.

NDIS Funding: When You May Have Psychology or PBS Included

The NDIS funds both Psychology and Positive Behaviour Support, but they appear in different parts of your plan and are claimed under different line items.

Psychology in the NDIS

You may have funding for Psychology if your NDIS plan goals include:

• Improving your mental health
• Building emotional regulation and coping strategies
• Strengthening relationships or social participation
   

Psychology is usually funded under:

• Improved Daily Living (Capacity Building) – Assessment, Recommendation, Therapy and/or Training (Item 15_043_0128_1_3)
• Sometimes also claimed under Therapeutic Supports depending on the psychologist’s registration
   

Positive Behaviour Support in the NDIS

You may have funding for PBS if your NDIS plan mentions:

• Behaviours of concern that affect safety or daily life
• The need for a Behaviour Support Plan
• Support for carers, families or workers to respond to behaviours consistently
   

PBS is usually funded under:

• Improved Relationships (Capacity Building) – Specialist Behavioural Intervention Support (Item 11_022_0110_7_3)
• Behaviour Support Plan development and ongoing monitoring fall under this category

Where They Overlap

It’s common for someone to have both a Psychologist and a PBS practitioner in their NDIS team.

For example:

• A Psychologist might help a participant manage underlying anxiety.
• A PBS practitioner might help the participant, their family, and support workers learn how to reduce behaviours triggered by that anxiety.

Together, they create a more holistic approach – addressing both the emotional wellbeing and the behavioural needs of the person.

Which Support Do You Need?

• If your main goal is to: improve mental health, learn coping strategies, or work through trauma → Psychology is the right fit.
• If your main goal is to: reduce behaviours of concern and develop a practical plan for carers and support workers → Positive Behaviour Support is needed.
• Sometimes, you may benefit from both.
   

Both Psychology and PBS play crucial roles in the NDIS. Knowing the difference helps you request the right funding and find the right supports.

At MyCareSpace, we connect participants and carers with trusted Psychologists and PBS practitioners who understand the NDIS – making it easier for you to get the right help, sooner.

Find Positive Behaviour Support  Find Psychology