How to find the right psychologist for you
Words Sarah Tarca // @tarca
Mark Adriane // Unsplash
I remember my first time with a psychologist. I was 13 and in the throes of my parents divorce, and my mum had taken all four siblings to see someone to help us deal with what was happening. I remember weirdly feeling like I had to impress them, like it was some sort of mental-health test I had to pass.
The second time was my own doing. My stepdad had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I was grieving – hard – and also absolutely terrified of what was to come. I saw a lovely elderly lady with definite ‘maternal grandma’ vibes and for the first two sessions I just sobbed uncontrollably for the whole hour while she listened, tissues at the ready.
Neither time was I ashamed of seeking professional help for my mental health, because it’s something my friends and I have always been open about, and talk about regularly. And mental health is something we discuss a lot at The Wayward too. Not just on R U OK day, or mental health awareness month either, it’s a constant conversation. We’ve talked about mental health in the workplace, our experience with career burnout and how to build mental wealth, we’ve shared our experiences with grief, and shame and vulnerability, and celebrated people like Sarah from Yes Queen who are actively trying to create a better environments so you – and your mental health – can thrive.
But talking about it, and doing something about it can be two different things. And sometimes, when you’re deep in the depths of your own mind, it can be hard to get out of bed – let alone find the help you need to make your way out. And, if even you can (miraculously) get to that point, finding the right help is another thing altogether. Which is why many of us procrastinate it putting it in the too-hard basket while we suffer, alone.
This is something that Dr Jonathan King, Founder of online health platform Lysn understands intimately, and one of the many reasons why he created a site that helps you find the best psychologist-match for you. He says “finding the right psychologist is definitely a daunting task for many. It’s not just about finding someone who has an available appointment, but one who you can share a very personal relationship with, while you work toward your goals. It’s overwhelming because many people will reveal their deepest, darkest secrets or desires to a psychologist, and these are often things that they wouldn’t tell their friends or family.” So, how exactly do you find the right psychologist for you? Dr. King guides us through the process.
So, you’ve made the decision to see a psychologist. What comes next?
Anyone can see a psychologist, you can book directly with any private psychologist and pay privately, however, if you want to utilise the Medicare subsidies, you need to see your GP and get a referral to access subsidized sessions. Depending on your area, will you be eligible for face to face or online sessions (if rural).
Under Medicare, there is a mental health care plan (MHCP) which your GP can discuss with you. This allows you to access up to 10 psychology sessions subsidized by Medicare with a GP referral. If you live in a rural area, you may be eligible for online psychology with a mental health care plan, but locations are limited, so ask your GP.
“In a recent National Health Survey (ABS), approximately 4.8 million (20.1%) Australians reported having a mental or behavioral condition in 2017-18”
what type of psycholigists are there? and how do I know which one I need?
There are several different types of psychologists that specialise in many different areas. These areas can range from fields such as anxiety, depression, drugs and alcohol, bullying, eating disorders, learning disabilities, LGBTIQ, parenting and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, as with regular people, psychologists have different personalities too! Finding a psychologist that fits your personal needs can be tough. If you don’t know what you want, it is totally ok to have a chat with a few psychologists to figure out what style they practice, and if it would work for you. Knowing which one is right for you can be tricky, that’s why things like matching consultations can work really well.
A lot of people bow out of mental health care, thinking it’s not for them, purely because they haven’t found the right match. How can you make this process easier?
I think the key thing to remember is that whilst seeing a psychologist is a very personal matter, wanting to change psychologists doesn’t have to be a personal issue. People need to know that finding the right psychologist is difficult for everyone, and that it’s also ok to change psychologists if they’re not feeling completely comfortable or if they are not feeling like they are making process.
To make this process easier, firstly start by choosing a psychologist that has some similarities to you. Next, decide on the type of way you would like to communicate and if you want a more relax or formal approach. Many psychologists differ in their approach, as some are more relaxed and listen, while others can give homework and push you to strive for change. This is a very personal decision, and if you don’t know what you like or works for you, it may be a reality of having a chat to a few psychologists before booking and asking them these questions.
If this is still too daunting, Lysn can help too. We have developed a clinical matching system to help people find their best fit psychologist, and we also offer matching consultations where a person can book a short session with a psychologist just to see if they ‘fit’. This is like an introductory session to get a feel for the person and whether you’d be comfortable continuing on.
Has the rate of people seeking mental health care risen in the last decade?
Mental health rates across the world are increasing, and Australia is not the exception. However, more people are accessing help in Australia, which can be seen as a win for improved service delivery, as well as awareness programs.
In a recent National Health Survey (ABS), approximately 4.8 million (20.1%) Australians reported having a mental or behavioral condition in 2017-18. This is a 2.6% increase from the previous reporting year in 2014-15. This increase was driven by the increase of anxiety and depression-reported conditions.
While these stats are alarming, more and more Australians are breaking the stigma cycle and seeking help. The AIHW reported roughly 10.2% of Australians received Medicare-subsidised mental health services in 2017-2018. This was a substantial increase from 5.7% from nearly a decade ago in 2008-9.
We can only hope with better education around awareness, seeking help and improved accessibility to mental health services, will ultimately reduce rates of mental health in the long term.
If you’re ready to start the process of looking for a psychologist, Lysn can help. Head to www.welysn.com for more information.