How To Choose A Psychologist

Choosing a psychologist can seem like a daunting task. That’s why we’ve put together this list of suggestions and guidelines to help you get on the right track with choosing the ideal psychologist for your individual needs. 

Figure out your goals and aims 

It can be difficult to figure out where to start, especially if you have never seen a psychologist before. Are your reasons for seeing a psychologist general, or is there a specific set of concerns you’d like to discuss? How might a psychologist help you? What would be a successful outcome? Every therapist will begin your first session by helping you figure this out, but if you’ve already thought about it a little, you may be able to make faster progress. 

Practical considerations in choosing a psychologist

When searching for a psychologist, the first consideration is how quickly he or she is able to take on new patients. You’ll also want to take into account factors like the availability of Medicare or private rebates, as well as office location and hours. Many psychologists also offer consultations via telehealth, which can be extremely convenient for some people. 

Personal and cultural considerations 

Depending on the reasons you’re seeking out a psychologist, you may also want to choose one from a similar age group, religion, culture, gender, or sexual orientation as yourself. One good reason for this is that people with similar backgrounds may find it easier to understand and relate to one another, which is key in building trust. It also helps to avoid cases where a client has to explain aspects of their background to the therapist, which could be upsetting or even triggering. 

Therapeutic modalities 

You may already have some idea of the type of treatment you need, but if not, consider looking into some of the popular therapeutic modalities offered by psychologists. Most will state which modality or modalities they specialise in, for example Schema Therapy which we offer. A few of the most well-known and widely practiced modalities are as follows:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic Therapy
• Schema Therapy (ST)



Assess relevant qualifications and experience 

Ensure the practitioner’s experience and areas of expertise match your goals or areas you’re seeking help with, and choose a psychologist accordingly. For example, are you looking for relationship counselling, or a therapist who specialises in trauma? Most psychologists will have an area or areas they specialise in, and this information will usually be publicly available. At Your Psychologist in Elsternwick, we offer a broad spectrum of schema therapy modalities, ranging from relationship therapy to anxiety and depression counselling. You can view our approach via many of our free to view videos to get a deeper understanding of our approach to Schema Therapy. 

Go with your gut 

During the first session, assess how you feel speaking to the psychologist. It may take a few sessions to build trust, but it’s ideal if you can feel relatively comfortable straight away, since the relationship between psychologist and client is the key factor in efficacy of treatment. Even if the session is emotionally challenging or uncomfortable, you should feel safe, and the relationship should feel collaborative. 

Once you’ve found a psychologist you can trust, make sure you get the most out of each session. This often means putting in work outside the sessions as well as inside. If things don’t feel right, don’t hesitate to let the psychologist know. You can always continue your search; many people see several therapists before finding a good fit. Good luck!