You begin with the sense that something isn’t quite right. Then comes the impression that another person might be able to help. Knowing how to find the right person isn't straightforward. There are many different Psychologists, therapeutic approaches and areas of specialisation to consider. Qualifications and experience are important, but they don't necessarily tell you everything about what it will be like to work with someone.
Therapy is a particular kind of relationship. It involves having conversations about aspects of your life that may be difficult, confusing, or unfamiliar, with someone whose role is to help you think about and understand your experiences. Finding a Psychologist with whom you can develop a productive working relationship can make a significant difference to this process.
So, what should you look for when choosing a Psychologist?
Qualifications and experience
A sensible starting point is to consider a Psychologist's qualifications, registration, and professional experience.
In Australia, Psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia. You can check a Psychologist's registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register.
It is also worth considering whether a Psychologist has experience working with the kinds of difficulties you are experiencing. Some Psychologists have particular interests or expertise in areas such as anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship difficulties, or more complex psychological presentations.
It is worth remembering that psychological difficulties don't always fit neatly into diagnostic categories. A Psychologist's ability to engage with your particular circumstances, rather than simply identify a problem and apply a standardised intervention, is also important.
Understanding their approach to therapy
Psychologists work in a variety of ways, and it can be useful to understand something about the approach a Psychologist takes before making an appointment.
The number of therapeutic modalities is vast. Some approaches, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), tend to focus on identifying and changing specific symptoms. Other approaches, including psychodynamic psychotherapy, place greater emphasis on understanding emotional experiences, relationships and patterns that may have developed over time.
There is no single approach that is right for everyone. Different people have different needs, preferences and expectations of therapy.
It may be helpful to consider what you are looking for. Are you primarily interested in developing strategies to manage a particular difficulty? Are you hoping to understand the root cause of recurring patterns in your relationships or emotional life? Or are you interested in exploring aspects of yourself that have been difficult to make sense of?
You don't necessarily need to know which therapeutic approach you want before seeking help. A good Psychologist should be able to explain how they work and discuss whether their approach is likely to be appropriate for your circumstances.
The importance of the therapeutic relationship
Therapy is strange kind of conversation that doesn’t exists anywhere else in life. Beyond qualifications and therapeutic approach, one of the most important considerations is the relationship you develop with your Psychologist.
Psychological therapy involves discussing personal experiences, thoughts and feelings that you might not ordinarily share with other people. This requires a degree of trust and a sense that the person you are speaking with is genuinely interested in understanding you.
It is important to feel that your Psychologist is listening carefully, taking your experiences seriously and responding thoughtfully to what you share. You should have room to express uncertainty, disagree or discuss things that might be difficult to talk about.
This doesn't mean that every session will necessarily feel comfortable or reassuring. Sometimes therapy involves considering aspects of ourselves or our relationships that we would prefer not to think about. A Psychologist may also offer observations or perspectives that challenge how we have understood something.
The distinction is between feeling challenged in a way that helps you think differently and feeling judged, dismissed or misunderstood.
A productive therapeutic relationship should provide enough security for difficult conversations to take place, while also allowing room for exploration and change.
Should you feel comfortable with your Psychologist?
Feeling comfortable with a Psychologist is often considered an important part of choosing someone to work with. However, comfort can mean different things.
It is certainly important to feel safe, respected, and able to speak openly. At the same time, therapy isn't necessarily about finding someone who agrees with everything you say or makes you feel better after every conversation.
Sometimes a Psychologist might ask questions that you find difficult to answer, draw attention to something you hadn't considered, or encourage you to look at a familiar situation differently.
It is worth allowing some time for the relationship to develop. You might not know immediately whether a Psychologist is the right person to work with, particularly if discussing personal matters with someone unfamiliar is a new experience.
However, if you consistently feel unheard, judged or unable to speak openly, these are important things to pay attention to.
How do you know if therapy is working?
Another consideration when choosing a Psychologist is how you understand the purpose and progress of therapy.
Some people come to therapy with a specific goal, such as reducing anxiety, improving sleep or managing a difficult life circumstance. Others are interested in understanding broader patterns in their emotional lives and relationships.
In either case, it can be useful to have conversations with your Psychologist about what you hope to gain from therapy and how you might recognise whether it is helping.
Progress isn't always straightforward. Sometimes improvement involves a reduction in distress or a change in behaviour. At other times, it might involve developing a more nuanced understanding of yourself, recognising previously unnoticed patterns or becoming better able to navigate difficult relationships.
It is reasonable to expect your Psychologist to be interested in how you are finding the process and to be willing to discuss whether the work is meeting your needs.
If you are uncertain about whether therapy is helping, you should feel able to raise this with your Psychologist.
Practical considerations
There are also some practical matters worth considering when choosing a Psychologist:
Location: Is the practice accessible, or does the Psychologist offer telehealth appointments?
Availability: Are appointment times compatible with your work and other commitments?
Fees: Are the fees affordable and clearly explained? Are Medicare rebates available if you have an appropriate referral and meet the relevant requirements?
Session frequency: How often does the Psychologist generally recommend appointments?
Cancellation policies: Are the practice's arrangements clearly communicated?
These considerations might seem less important than the therapeutic relationship, but practical difficulties can make it harder to engage consistently in therapy.
Finding the right Psychologist
Ultimately, choosing a Psychologist involves more than comparing qualifications, specialisations, or therapeutic techniques. It also involves finding someone with whom you can develop a relationship that supports meaningful psychological work.
It can be difficult to know in advance exactly what you need from therapy or what working with a particular Psychologist will be like. An initial appointment provides an opportunity to discuss your circumstances, learn more about how the Psychologist works and consider whether the relationship feels like a good fit.
You don't need to have everything figured out before making an appointment. Part of the purpose of therapy is to develop a better understanding of the difficulties you are experiencing and what might help.
Finding the right Psychologist isn't necessarily about finding someone who has all the answers. It is about finding someone who is willing and able to think carefully with you about the questions that matter.
If you’re interested in discussing this topic further, or would like to book an initial session, please reach out via mitch@mitchelloehlman.com.