Common Questions
1. How do I go to a therapist for the first time?
Going to a therapist for the first time can be intimidating-but an experienced therapist will help soothe those anxieties with kindness and compassion. They will go at your pace.
By being prepared and as clear as you can about your issues and your concerns.
Sometimes we don’t know exactly how we feel—all we know is that we don’t feel like things are going very well in our lives or that we are simply stuck. A good therapist will help expand on whatever your issue is.
Do I need a referral to go to a therapist?
No, you can self-refer.
Why does it take so long to find a therapist?
Finding “the right” therapist can sometimes be a challenge. Not every therapist is right for everyone. Sometimes we can see a few different people before we find someone that we feel comfortable with. That is your right-and a good therapist will be supportive of that process.
How to get 10 free psychology sessions?
Mental health plan via your GP.
How much does a therapist cost in Sydney?
Psychotherapists charge anything from $130-$300 per session. Some therapists offer a sliding scale. It is always best to ask re fees at the first contact.
Generally speaking, a good competent and experienced psychotherapist will charge $160-$200 per session.
Do I need therapy or am I overreacting?
Psychotherapy will help you discern if your issue is pressing.
Generally speaking, everyone who has come through my door has had a valid reason to seek help. Pain and suffering are relative to the individual – if I’m consistently suffering then its valid to seek help. Suffering can take many forms generally it manifests as anxiety or persistent sadness, or we may find ourselves ruminating about our lives without finding any solutions. This is the perfect reason to seek help.
Often people will seek therapy when they find themselves ruminating on questions or doubts without coming to a solution, talking to someone external is the perfect reason to seek help.
What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychologist?
This is a very common question; after 25years I believe I’ve come up with a satisfactory answer via an analogy:
Imagine a tall building. At the top of the building there are cracks. These cracks represent the presenting issues of the person seeking help-anxiety, depression, family issues, addiction etc. The psychologist observes the cracks and fills them in with putty or glue or Polyfilla- because the cracks are no longer observable it can appear that the person is cured because the presenting symptoms have been “filled in”-but the reason for the cracks appearing in the first place are not addressed.
The Psychotherapist observes the cracks and asks “Well, why are the cracks there?” The Psychotherapist will tend to the foundations. Repairing the foundations of the building will invariably fix the cracks. Repairing and tending to the cause of the symptoms will not only repair the presenting symptoms but ensure that the cracks will not return.
Why am I anxious? What caused my anxiety- it’s probably a maladjustment that has been integrated into my psychology. Understanding the conditions under which the anxiety has manifested allows me to tend to those issues directly in a functional way. As opposed to the psychologist’s route of masking the anxiety externally the psychotherapist has helped create a knowledge of self that is foundational, functional, and ongoing.
What to avoid in counselling?
Quick fixes.
Try to be as honest as possible (obviously we need to feel safe and secure to get to a point of vulnerability-a good practitioner will help facilitate this).
How to tell if a therapist is good?
If you feel safe and able to share your experience freely and openly. If you feel, heard, and validated you are probably in good hands
Is it okay to contact therapist between sessions?
That is up to you and your therapist. Those boundaries, needs, and expectations are unique to that therapeutic relationship.
How to get free therapy in Australia?
Some services bulk bill; but they are rare. You will need to do your own research.
What are the long-term effects of therapy?
Enhance self-awareness
Helping people increase their self-awareness is a foundational therapeutic goal. Helping people understand their patterns of thought, behaviour, and emotion, and how these affect their experiences.Build self-acceptance
Building self-acceptance is about helping your people foster a compassionate understanding of themselves and embrace their strengths and imperfections alike. It involves challenging negative self-talk and self-sabotage, cultivating self-compassion, and aligning personal values with actions (Luoma & Platt, 2015).
Building self-acceptance will empower people to release self-judgment, improve emotional resilience, and build healthier relationships with themselves and others, promoting overall wellbeing.Improve emotional regulation
Improving emotional regulation as a therapeutic goal involves helping people to identify, understand, and manage their emotions more effectively.Build resilience
To help foster emotional strength, developing coping skills, and cultivating a growth mindset.Improve communication skills
Improving communication skills involves helps people express their thoughts and emotions clearly while actively listening to others.
These skills foster healthier relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and enhance conflict resolution, empowering clients to connect more deeply and authentically in personal and professional settings.Empowerment and choice
Another common therapy goal is to empower people to make informed choices about what they want in life. This can enhance clients’ sense of agency and purpose.
Whether addressing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, or personal growth, the above therapeutic goals provide solid therapeutic building blocks to help people live a happier and more meaningful life.
How does sleep affect mental well-being?
Sleep significantly affects mental health by influencing mood regulation, stress response, and cognitive functions like memory and concentration. Poor sleep can worsen existing mental health conditions and increase the risk of developing new ones, such as depression and anxiety. This bidirectional relationship means mental health challenges can also disrupt sleep patterns. Improving sleep quality is a key strategy for supporting overall mental well-being and can lead to better emotional balance and resilience.
Can I use AI for therapy?
We are so much more than what a synthetic echo chamber can bear witness to.
What is the difference between a counsellor and a therapist or psychotherapist?
Counselling is ideal for issues that are important and need attention is our personal and or professional lives but don’t need longer term work.
Counselling is a short-term treatment that places emphasis on a specific symptom or situation, whereas psychotherapy is an approach that provides long-term relief and aims to gain a deeper cognizance of a person’s problems
Appointments are available by contacting via email or phone