When to See a Psychologist | How to Find the Right Match for You

Seeing a psychologist can be a pivotal step toward improving your mental well-being. Yet, recognising when to see a psychologist and knowing how to find the right psychologist can be difficult.

This guide aims to provide insights into recognising the signs that seeing a psychologist might be useful, and offer practical advice on how to find a good psychologist who aligns with your needs.

When Do I Need to See a Psychologist?

Knowing when to see a psychologist is crucial for maintaining optimal mental health and well-being, as it allows you to address concerns early and access professional support when needed.

Being aware of key signs to look out for can empower you to take proactive steps toward prioritising your mental well-being. Key signs can include:

Persistent feelings of distress:

Experiencing ongoing feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness that disrupt your daily life or overall happiness may indicate a need for psychological support.

These signs can also manifest as changes in sleep or eating patterns, constant worry or agitation, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, or withdrawal from social interactions with family and friends.

Difficulty coping with life stress:

If you’re struggling to cope with stress from work or school, grief, relationship difficulties, or significant life changes, seeking therapy can provide you with valuable support and coping strategies.

Impacted relationships:

Reflect on whether your mental health is impacting your relationships with others. Ongoing conflicts, resentment, withdrawal, or troubles with maintaining meaningful or secure relationships also highlight that you may benefit from psychological support.

Persistent physical symptoms:

Physical symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, fatigue, IBS, and muscle tension that seem to be unexplained by medical causes may indicate underlying psychological distress. Consulting your GP can be a great way to gain clarity on these issues.

After that, a psychologist can help you to identify and address psychological factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Using unhelpful coping strategies:

If you notice yourself using harmful strategies to cope, it’s important to access professional support.

Problematic coping mechanisms can include excessive drinking, drug misuse, gambling, unhealthy eating habits (i.e. under-eating or over-eating), self-harm, or aggression.

A psychologist can help to address these difficulties and provide you with healthier coping strategies.

Thoughts of self-harm or suicide:

If you’re experiencing thoughts of ongoing hopelessness, self-harm or suicide, it’s essential to seek help immediately.

Such thoughts are serious and require urgent intervention from a mental health professional.

If these thoughts become overwhelming and you require immediate crisis support, contact LifeLine on 13 11 14 or present to emergency services.

It is then important for you to access a psychologist for ongoing support.

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed:

Feeling stuck or unsure in life, having a sense of emptiness, or feeling overwhelmed by your emotions are common signs you may benefit from seeing a psychologist.

Seeking professional help can provide clarity and insight into your feelings and circumstances, empowering you to make informed decisions and positive changes in your life.

Feeling ready for growth and change:

Another beneficial reason to see a psychologist is if you are feeling motivated to explore strategies to support your growth and foster a better relationship with yourself and others.

How to Find the Right Psychologist for Me?

If you have identified the need to see a psychologist, the next step is to find a psychologist who is the right match for you.

Here are a few pointers on how to find the right psychologist for you:

Understanding your needs:

Reflect on your reasons for seeking therapy.

Is it for managing symptoms of anxiety or depression, addressing trauma, or relationship difficulties?

Reviewing the profiles of various psychologists can give you a good idea of the areas they typically specialise in (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship counselling, eating disorders, etc.) – to see if they align with your needs.

At Headway, you can view our team profiles online, or alternatively call us on (08) 9226 4489 for assistance with therapist matching.

Understanding your preferences:

Consider any preferences regarding your therapist’s gender, general age, spoken languages, manner (e.g. gentle, direct), or therapeutic approach (e.g. cognitive-behavioural therapy, acceptance-and-commitment therapy, schema therapy).

Seek recommendations from trusted sources:

Asking your GP, or friends and family who have accessed therapy before can be a helpful way to find a psychologist. Using online platforms or directories for mental health services can also be an informative starting point (e.g., Psychology Today, LinkedIn, or Google searching “psychologists in my area”).

Note: Prior to seeing a psychologist, consulting your GP may provide you access to a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). A MHCP gives you access to ten Medicare rebated psychology sessions per calendar year.

You don’t need a GP referral or a MHCP to see a psychologist, but you will need one if you want to claim a Medicare rebate. Alternatively, if you have private health insurance and extras cover, contact your health provider to check whether you are eligible to claim part of your psychology fees.

Consider practicalities:

Evaluate practical factors such as location, office hours, payment options, and waitlist times. If you’re unsure, call their administrative team for answers to your queries.

Assess psychologist compatibility in your initial sessions:

In your first sessions, reflect on whether you feel you and your psychologist are compatible. Do you feel safe and heard? Do you feel that their communication style aligns with your preferences?

Asking your psychologist about any worries or doubts you have about therapy is always helpful.

Feeling unsure of what to expect in your first psychology appointment? See our blog post ‘What to Expect? A Guide to Your First Few Psychology Sessions.’

Give it time to build a therapeutic relationship:

Building a therapeutic relationship takes time. Be open to the process and give yourself and your psychologist time to connect and grow together.

If you still feel the match isn’t quite right, remember that it’s okay to switch psychologists. In fact, your psychologist may be able to help recommend a better fit.

How to Find a Good Psychologist?

Finding a good psychologist is essential to receiving the support you need.

If you don’t feel your treatment is helping you, it’s advisable to request a consultation with another psychologist or seek out an organisation that better suits your needs.

However, here are a few pointers of what to look out for before you book an appointment:

Recommendations: If any of your close friends or family have found a good psychologist they’ll be able to make a trustworthy recommendation.
Google reviews: checking the reviews of the organisation you’re planning to see will provide insights into how other people have found their services. While it’s normal for all businesses to get a few bad reviews, if you see some common trends (good or bad), it’s a great indication of their overall service.
Registered Clinical Psychologist: Check if the psychologist is registered on the Ahpra & National Boards website. Any psychologist you see should be registered. Another thing you can look out for is whether they are a clinical psychologist or just a regular psychologist, as clinical psychologists have more years of study under their belt.

Seeking help is a courageous first step toward prioritising your health and well-being. Remember, you don’t have to face your struggles alone, and help is available when you need it.

If you’re unsure of whether therapy is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your concerns and explore your options.