Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
Let’s talk Embrace therapy for a step towards a healthier, happier life
SEEING A THERAPIST IS A STEP TOWARDS LIVING A HEALTHIER HAPPIER LIFE
together with being physically active and eating well, looking after your mental health is a crucial component of wellbeing. Therapy can help you get through tough times, but it can also assist with calming constant worry, communicating more e ectively with your partner, family and boss, or simply feeling and functioning better. Here’s how to find a therapist who’ll give you the tools you need.
1 DO YOUR LEGWORK
Just like the hunt for a job or house, it’s worth putting in the time to find the right therapist for you. Start o by asking your doctor and intimates for recommendations. It may take a little time to build a relationship, but you ultimately need someone you feel comfortable enough with to openly share your concerns.
2 FIND OUT WHAT’S COVERED BY INSURANCE
If you have a referral or mental health treatment plan from your doctor, Medicare will cover some of the cost of a psychiatrist or psychologist. Your private health insurance may also cover some of the cost of seeing a psychologist, so check with your fund.
3 ASK AWAY
A conversation with a potential therapist – either in person, on the phone or via video chat – will cue you in as to how you’d mesh. Asking questions such as the below will help guide the conversation.
I’m concerned about (fill in your topic of concern). How would you help me work on that? Therapists use many di erent methods to help clients work through their issues. For example, cognitive behavioural therapy helps you change your thinking in regards to a situation or relationship while psychoanalysis uncovers coping strategies you can use to deal with your past. You want to be on board with the methods they use.
What experience do you have with this issue?
Not all therapists treat all issues equally well. Look for someone with a history of dealing with your type of concerns.
How will you know the treatment is working?
And what will you do if you don’t feel I’m getting better? These are important questions as they create benchmarks for progress. If you’re not happy with the answers, go elsewhere.
Do you think you can help me?
You both need to feel like you can collaborate well. A good therapist will refer you elsewhere if they don’t think they can help you.
4 CHECK YOUR GUT
After speaking to the therapist, check in with how you feel. Don’t expect you’ll immediately want to tell them everything, but it is essential to build a relationship based on mutual respect, trust, support and deep honesty, so see if you can imagine talking freely with them. If you don’t click after three visits, talk to the therapist about it, and know it’s OK to see someone else.