Speaking to a psychologist for the first time
So, you have either received your Mental Health Care Plan from your local GP, or you are thinking it’s time to get some support, and have thought what on earth is this going to be like? Well don’t stress! Below we will talk to what to expect when booking in to see a psychologist, from first session jitters to treatment goals – we’ve got you!
Normalising
Firstly, seeing a psychologist is not a ‘bad thing’ and it does not mean anything is wrong with you. There is a lot of stigma surrounding this idea that when you ask for help, you are weak, or there is something wrong with you. Here at Progressive Psychology, we aim to conquer societies disapproval by normalising mental health struggles and ensuring you get the best support possible. There are many reasons why people come to talk to a psychologist and they aren’t always when things are going bad in someone’s life! People can seek the assistance of a psychologist for a multitude of reasons, including vocational assessments, assistance navigating transitions in life, undergoing assessment and diagnosis of mental health issues and much more!
What to expect
The first session with a psychologist is about getting to know each other, what the expectations are for the sessions moving forward and possibly setting some goals. The first session can feel nerve racking – which is so fair! You are speaking to someone who you have never met before about things that are very personal. Therefore, a lot of the time the first session, or even the first few sessions, are about building the relationship between a client and their psychologist. Research actually tells us that 30% of the session treatment outcome is accountable to the relationship between the client and psychologist!
What if I don’t like my psychologist?
This is something to be mindful of and can happen. You should never feel pressured to continue sessions with a psychologist if you do not feel as though the relationship is working – we won’t be offended! This process is all about you, and we can happily introduce you to another psychologist who may be a better fit for you! They say that finding a good psychologist is like finding a good hairdresser – sometimes it can take a few goes before you find the one that’s perfect for you!
Agenda
Be mindful that setting an agenda at the beginning of the session can allow the session to be structured. The agenda can include anything that you wish to discuss, and you will work collaboratively with the psychologist to determine what is appropriate to cover to achieve your treatment goals. Psychology sessions are usually 50 minutes in length. Setting an agenda helps guide the conversation and address specific content, and ensures you do not feel rushed when coming to the end of the session.
Tips and suggestions
- Check out the website to familiarise yourself with whom you are going to be speaking to! Sometimes it helps to put a face to the name.
- Remember it is okay to feel nervous! There is no judgment. We are just excited to meet you!
- We have funky fidget toys, children’s toys, tissues, and a whiteboard to help your sessions be interactive, but also calming to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible!
Contact Progressive Psychology on 0477 798 932, to make an appointment and start your journey today!
Bianca Bartling is a Provisional Psychologist at Progressive Psychology