What is a Psychologist?
A psychologist could help you, your friends, family or colleagues lead a happier, more meaningful life.
Psychologists provide their expertise by assessing and diagnosing a range of problems, developing strategies and treatments, and offering guidance and support.
Psychologists provide these services in a wide range of public and private settings, including health, mental health, disability, family services, community, schools, corporate and business, education, sport and the performing arts.
Many people at some point in their lives will have need for psychological advice or care. Here are just a few examples:
- A child with behaviour problems
- School students with learning difficulties
- An adolescent with severe shyness
- Parents needing advice and support
- A young person dealing with sexuality issues
- Military personnel coping with trauma
- People suffering from the stresses of modern life
- A new mother not coping
- Couples and families with relationship challenges
- Organisational leaders wanting the best out of their staff
- A retrenched worker with depression
- Individuals struggling with long-term mental illness
- Court judges deciding what’s best for children of
- separated parents
- A truck driver with alcohol problems
- Elite athletes seeking peak performance
- A young person contemplating suicide
- People dealing with major health problems
- A retiree coping with loss
- Individuals battling addictions
- Victims of natural disasters
- Elderly people living with dementia
- Rural communities struggling with severe drought
- Policy makers seeking advice on criminal behaviour
When do I need to see a Psychologist?
If a mental health problem is affecting your day-to-day life, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals, skilled in diagnosing and treating people using techniques based on best available research. Psychologists help people identify and learn to manage the factors that contribute to a range of issues.
Psychologists often see clients individually, but can also include family members to support treatment.
A medical check-up with a GP is also important to see if a health issue might underlie your symptoms. A GP or other medical specialist might also offer advice and assistance where medication might be of benefit.
Will the sessions be confidential?
Yes absolutely! Psychologists are bound by ethical guidelines to keep everything their client says confidential except when the threatens to harm themselves, or someone else; or if they plan to do something illegal. So rest assured that this is the one place where you can talk to someone without worrying that they will tell someone else.