Frequently Asked Questions
What is a psychologist?
As noted on the Australian Psychological Society’s website:
‘Psychologists study the way people feel, think, act and interact. Through a range of strategies and therapies they aim to reduce distress and to enhance and promote emotional wellbeing. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour, and have studied the brain, memory, learning and human development. Psychologists can assist people who are having difficulty controlling their emotions, thinking and behaviour, including those with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, serious and enduring mental illness, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders. ‘
This does not mean that only people who are experiencing severe mental illness can seek the assistance of a psychologist. Many people who have never been diagnosed with a mental illness see psychologists – people who have ‘normal’ jobs, families and relationships and who do not ‘appear’ to need help.
Whether due to a particular challenge at work, a difficult social situation, nervousness when speaking in public or using lifts, difficulty dealing with conflict, relationship stress and for many other reasons, it is absolutely okay to ask for help to learn new skills and to have support in order to manage your life more effectively.
What is a registered psychologist?
Each state body in South Australia has a ‘registration’ body with whom psychlogists must be registered in order to legally practice, just as doctors have to be registered. They are therefore bound by a legal Code of Conduct which covers matters such as confidentiality. Not all counsellors or therapists are registered with the South Australian Psychological Board.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychologist studies a science or arts degree with a major in psychology (the study of human behaviour) followed by a postgraduate degree specialising in a particular field of psychology (such as clinical, organisational, forensic etc). A psychiatrist completes a medical degree before continuing study in psychology and pharmacology – hence they are able to prescribe drugs and psychologists cannot.
What happenes when I see a psychologist?
Usually you will find a reception room much like a doctor’s waiting room. You will probably receive a consent form which outlines some of the conditions under which a psychologist has to work (such as confidentiality). When you meet your psychologist, you will have the opportunity to tell them why you have come, what you would like to work on and to ask any questions. Together, you will discuss any relevant history to the situation and come up with a plan including discussion about how often you should attend and what change you might expect to see.
What does confidentiality mean?
When you see a psychologist you have the right to expect that what you say to them will be kept with them and not disclosed to any other people. However, there are some exceptions to this:
- By law, a psychologist must seek the assistance of a third party if you tell them that you are going to a) harm yourself, b) harm someone else, or c) engage in an activity which threatens to harm your wellbeing.
- Your psychologist will usually keep notes regarding the sessions that you have, and if you are involved in a legal situation, their file can be subpoenaed by the court.
- If you are referred through the Medicare system your psychologist will need to have contact with your GP.
- Usually, psychologists also engage in regular supervision themselves to improve their practice, and they might raise your situation with their supervisor to receive feedback about the approach they are using.
How many times do I need to see a psychologist?
This depends greatly upon the situation you are experiencing – everyone is different. Some things are shifted in 3-4 sessions while others take longer. This is something to discuss with your psychologist.
What if I don’t like the psychologist I see?!
Finding a psychologist that you ‘click’ with is just like finding a GP that you feel comfortable with – sometimes it takes a while to find the right person. Different psychologists also have different approaches, so while the first person you come across might not seem right for your situation, it is always worth trying someone else.
This Page Updated: 14 July 2007
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