Finding A Psychologist In Sydney That Suits Your Needs

Finding a psychologist in Sydney can be daunting. Ideally, someone whose judgement you trust recommends someone – often this is not an option if you wish to keep your intentions confidential. You also want to know that the psychologist is professionally trained, belongs to a professional body that requires on-going development and high professional standards of conduct and performance.

If you are experiencing difficulties, psychological counselling can be an invaluable means of finding solutions you may never have considered. Investment in your psychological health is as important as your physical and financial health.  Listen to this short recording to hear how:

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Here are some tips to assist you in finding a psychologist suitable to you, but before you read this, I want to remind you of something very important. YOU do have choice and regardless of your your current experience/possible lowered confidence, YOU are the expert of your own life.  At present, you may not feel that you are best equipped to choose what is right for you – you may need assistance to discover how to reclaim mastery over your life and you can – psychological counselling can help in this process.

Tips to Find a Psychologist:

Psychologists can be found via the Australian Psychological Society (APS) , in the yellow pages, in lists provided by medical/GP services or via a psychologist’s websites or counselling services directory.

Psychologists are registered in the state in which they practice, indicated by ‘Reg Psych’ after their name. This certification is given by the APS and ensures they have attained the requisite education/supervised training to proficiently offer psychological interventions. It also means that they are required to maintain their standards through on-going training and submitted evidence of their ability to provide an effective service.  Practitioners are not allowed to call themselves psychologists without this certification  although someone might have a psychology degree without going through further appropriate training to practice.  So it is important to check that they are registered.  Even if they have academic qualifications in psychology, they are not allowed to call themself a psychologist unless they are registered.  This safeguards clients seeking professional psychological services.

  1. Always ensure the psychologist you choose is registered. Ask them and if in doubt, check with the APS.
  2. Ask what modality they practice i.e. the framework/theoretical basis of their intervention. Ask them to explain this because you must be comfortable that the approach they taking to helping you is one you feel comfortable with. Call the APS to check if you need clarification.
  3. Ask them how long they think you will be required to see them, having briefly outlined the nature of your current challenge.
  4. Ask them what they charge, if they have a minimum number of sessions they require you to attend and what their cancellation policy is.
  5. Ask them what their specialism is? e.g. couples, anxiety, substance abuse etc. It will indicate their interest and their specific on-going development.
  6. Ask them if they have published articles, books, CDs or have development programmes? Read about them to gain a greater sense of their approach and proficiency.
  7. Ask yourself ‘How do I feel talking to this psychologist and asking them these questions?’ Do you feel they are courteous, have a genuine interest in helping you? Respect the fact that you want to know this information? Would you feel comfortable sharing details about your life with them?

It is not unreasonable for you to find out about a psychologist before visiting them. It is also fair for you to be able to see a psychologist for one session and decide not to continue. Some psychologists believe that it is not appropriate to talk to the client beyond making an appointment, outside even the first session. Unless this first session is free, it is my opinion that this is unreasonable. However, you must make your own mind up if this happens.

Remember, it is your choice and despite the fact psychologists are trained to assist you in relieving distress/helping you consider how to live your life with greater ease and fulfilment, YOU have the final say.

Good luck!

Areas that psychological counselling can assist with:


Sydney Psychologist