The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted individuals’ mental health, with current data indicating that 1 in 5
Australians are now seeking the help of mental health professionals for issues like anxiety and depression.
While talk therapy is the most common approach to mental health treatment, not all therapy, therapists, or patient
issues are equal. Some patients may benefit from medication in conjunction to talk therapy, which requires accessing
both psychologic and psychiatric services. Others may only need to sporadically see a counsellor or attend a support
group. It is necessary then to first assess what might be the right fit.
Many therapists, such as those practicing at PsychologyCare, offer an extended first session to assess patients. While this session allows the therapist to establish the primary
issues to be worked on, it also allows the patient the opportunity to ask the following kinds of questions:
• What approach does this therapist specialise in (e.g. CBT, psychodynamic, humanistic, etc.)?
• Do I feel comfortable sharing – is their consultation environment, approach, and personality compatible with me?
• Do they specialise in the kind of therapy I need (e.g., long- versus short-term therapy, a particular set of mental
health issues, etc.)?
• Do the benefits outweigh the costs associated with seeing this therapist, or could I get the same level of treatment
from a subsidised, free, or alternate option?
• What consultation options are available – in-person, online, or both?
In order to get the most out of therapy, it would be best to also research what counsellors versus psychologists versus
psychiatrists offer and then to decide on whom to consult first – GPs can generally offer patients valuable guidance in
this regard. The next step would then be to make the call and attend a consultation with the understanding that it is
okay to ‘shop around’ until finding the best option.