Overseen by Peter Saltamaras, Co-Founder and COO of Lanara · Last reviewed 15 October 2026
Lanara provides practical, psychology-informed support for adults living with a range of mental health conditions and disabilities across Sydney. We support self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants, as well as private clients.
Living with a condition looks different for everyone. Two people with the same diagnosis can have very different days, so good support starts from the person, not the label. Every one of our support workers holds a university degree in psychology or a related discipline and has completed mental health and trauma-informed training.
Our support is non-clinical. We help with the everyday parts of life, such as routines, getting out, staying connected and running a home, alongside your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist or other health professionals. We do not diagnose or provide therapy.
Does the NDIS cover these conditions?
The NDIS does not fund a diagnosis on its own. It funds support for disability. When a mental health condition causes long-term disability, this is called psychosocial disability, and it can be covered.
To be eligible, the NDIA needs evidence that your impairment is likely to be permanent and substantially reduces your ability to do everyday activities. The NDIA usually considers whether an impairment is likely to be permanent after available and appropriate treatment has been tried. That is why two people with the same diagnosis can get different decisions.
Clinical treatment, such as medication, psychiatry and therapy, is funded through the health system, not the NDIS. From January 2028, eligibility for new applicants will be decided using a new standardised assessment of functional capacity. Our guide to understanding psychosocial disability explains eligibility and evidence in more detail.
Mental health conditions
Each page below explains whether the NDIS may cover the condition, how it can affect daily life, and how our support can help.
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
Schizophrenia can make routines, relationships and getting out into the community harder. We offer steady, consistent support that starts from the person’s strengths and goals. NDIS support for schizophrenia
Anxiety, including agoraphobia
Anxiety can shrink a person’s world over time. We help people widen their comfort zone at a pace that feels manageable, from a first trip to the shops to a regular activity. NDIS support for anxiety
Depression
Depression can drain energy and motivation and make everyday tasks feel impossible. We help build gentle routines, share the load of daily tasks and offer steady company. NDIS support for depression
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder often comes in episodes. Our support adjusts between steadier and harder periods and helps keep up the routines that support stability. NDIS support for bipolar disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
For people with PTSD, safety, trust and predictability matter most. Our trauma-informed support follows the person’s lead and never pushes. NDIS support for PTSD
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
A steady, consistent relationship with clear boundaries can make a real difference. We match carefully and take a long-term view. NDIS support for borderline personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
OCD can take up hours of the day. We help with daily tasks in a way that fits the person’s treatment and works with their clinicians, not against them. NDIS support for OCD
Autism, intellectual disability, ADHD and brain injury
These conditions affect how people think, learn, communicate or process the world. Many people living with them also experience anxiety, low mood or stress. Our team’s psychology background helps here, alongside practical support with routines, independence and getting out into the community.
Autism
Autistic adults often do best with predictable routines and support that respects how they communicate. We help with planning ahead, sensory needs and community activities on the person’s own terms. NDIS support for autistic adults
Intellectual disability
We help people build independence at their own pace, from cooking and household tasks to getting around and seeing friends. The person makes their own choices, and we work with family when they want us to. NDIS support for intellectual disability
ADHD
ADHD can make planning, starting tasks and keeping on top of a home harder. We help build structure and routines that work with the person’s strengths. NDIS support for adults with ADHD
Acquired brain injury (ABI)
After a brain injury, energy, memory and confidence can all change. We help with pacing, routines and getting back into the community, following the goals set by the person’s treating team. NDIS support for acquired brain injury
Other conditions we support
We also support people living with:
- Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Our support workers take care with language and behaviour around food and bodies, and follow the guidance of the person’s treatment team. Support might include help with meal preparation, going with the person to appointments and keeping up daily routines during recovery.
- Physical health conditions alongside a psychosocial disability, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy or diabetes, where we support daily routines and getting to appointments while the health system manages treatment.
If your situation isn’t listed, please ask. Many people live with more than one condition, and we tailor support to the whole person.
How we work
Whatever the condition, the same principles apply. We are person-centred, so your goals, preferences and values guide the support. We are trauma-informed, so we keep in mind how past experiences can affect you and work to make support feel safe. And we are psychology-informed, so our team brings a real understanding of mental health to everyday support.
When you first contact us, we take time to understand your situation and what you want from support. We then match you with a support worker who has the right experience, temperament and skills, and brief them before you meet. Finding the right match usually takes between three days and two weeks. We aim for you to see the same support worker each time.
With your consent, we work alongside your existing team, including your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist or support coordinator, so our support fits with theirs.
Our services are psychosocial support, assistance with social and community participation, daily living assistance and personal care.
Who we support
We support adults across six areas of Sydney, from the Inner West to the Eastern Suburbs:
- Self-managed NDIS participants, who manage their own funding and can choose any provider.
- Plan-managed NDIS participants, whose plan manager pays providers on their behalf.
- Private clients, who fund their support themselves without an NDIS plan.
We can’t support NDIA-managed plans.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do I need a formal diagnosis to access your support?
A: Not necessarily. We look at each person’s situation individually, and what matters most is understanding your current challenges and goals. NDIS eligibility has its own evidence requirements, explained above.
Q: Can you support someone with more than one condition?
A: Yes. Many people live with more than one condition, for example depression and anxiety. We tailor support to the whole person.
Q: Do you work alongside my existing treatment team?
A: Yes, and we encourage it. With your consent, our team can share what your support worker sees day to day with your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist or allied health professionals, so our support fits with your treatment goals.
Q: How do I get started?
A: Call us on 1300 152 627 or get in touch online. We will arrange a no-obligation conversation to learn about your situation and talk about how we might help.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000. For urgent mental health advice, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 (24 hours, 7 days) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.