For many persons with mental illness, finding psychologist help in Australia is a constant source of frustration.
A lot of people have likened it to a form of “dating.” For some, finding a confidant with whom to share one’s deepest thoughts is an easy task; for others, it can be more difficult.
If you’re looking for advice for finding psychologist help in Australia, or a therapist, or counsellor to support you on your path, then read on below.
Your doctor is a good place to start
Having a trusted doctor who knows your medical history is the first step. Ideally, you should have some understanding of psychology. To finding psychologist help in Australia or to get the care you need, your doctor’s medical advice is a good starting point.
Make sure your foundation is solid
Making quick decisions when it comes to psychologist help in Australia is rarely a good idea. It’s best to talk to a medical professional over a longer period of time to ensure that they can figure out what kind of psychologist help in Australia is best for you.
Allow some time to pass
It’s important to be patient when looking for psychologist help in Australia. To begin with, a new psychologist needs to gather some background information, and it can feel like a job interview at times.
Nonetheless, after that’s done, you’ll feel more at ease when the talk begins.
For the most part, therapy is a difficult process. The way you think and feel will be put to the test. That’s a tough pill to swallow. In any case, you’ll have the assistance of a skilled therapist to help you get through this process.
Therapy is often less effective if you’re impatient to rush through it, because the crux of the issues you’re facing is never properly addresses. Effective treatment takes time, and the benefits are often difficult to see in the early stages. Building a house from scratch is like that.
It’s not always easy
It’s a worthwhile, but challenging, experience to seek psychologist help in Australia.
The process of real counselling can be excruciatingly difficult, upsetting, and even enraging at times. However, it does the job.
Before they can be licenced, psychologists must complete six years of schooling, which includes internships, research, and testing. To become a clinical psychologist, one must be under close supervision for at least two years.
There should be ownership of the plan by the client and the psychologist in equal measure.
Together, the client and psychologist should fine-tune the plan. Sitting around waiting for someone to tell you what to do is not an option.
Do your research
Ask your doctor, health care providers, acquaintances, or others who have experienced similar symptoms for advice. The Australian Psychological Society’s Find a Psychologist is another option when seeking psychologist help in Australia.
Once you’ve narrowed down a list of potential candidates, check out their Google ratings. The type of therapy provided and the professional’s background are both described in the form of client testimonials and a short biography. Look for a therapist who has dealt with similar issues to yours in the past.
Like any job or school, you must be willing to put in the time and effort necessary to see results.
Do what feels right to you
Do not give up, even if the first few sessions are challenging. But if your intuition tells you they’re not suited for you, don’t be scared to change.
The best medicine is laughter
Laughter is a good medicine. Find a therapist with a sense of humour that you can relax with, this will make the whole process feel a lot easier.