How do I choose the right therapy?

Finding the right kind of therapy in Australia can be tricky. The terminology and definitions of psychology, psychotherapy, counselling and psychiatry are also different from those used overseas, so a simple Google search is often not helpful!

This article offers a brief overview of four different types of mental health professions in Australia, to help you decide which might be the best for you.

What is the difference between psychotherapy, psychology, psychiatry, and counselling?

I could fill several pages trying to answer this question comprehensively; instead I have briefly summarised the main ways in which they function in the Australian context.

Counsellors generally focus on short-term, solution-focused strategies for dealing with specific life events that cause distress and difficulties.

Psychologists engage in a variety of roles and activities, depending on their specialisation and the context in which they work. Clinical psychologists are able to conduct assessments to understand individuals' cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning. They diagnose mental health disorders and other psychological conditions, and may provide psychological interventions, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). These interventions aim to teach skills and strategies for problem-solving and focus mainly on the present, rather than on childhood experiences.

Psychiatrists are medical specialists who focus on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses. Psychiatrists are able to prescribe and manage medications, and some may also provide psychological interventions such as CBT. They often work in partnership with GPs and refer to other medical professionals as required.

Psychotherapists can come from a range of different backgrounds. Psychotherapy is a specialisation: i.e., those working in fields such as psychology, psychiatry, social work or counselling can train to be psychotherapists by undertaking a specific path of study. A critical aspect of psychotherapy training is that the practitioner is required to undergo their own therapy. This is not the case for psychologists, counsellors or psychiatrists.

Psychotherapy is a long-term process in which the relationship between the therapist and client is of central importance. It does not offer crisis intervention, nor aim to teach skills and strategies. Rather, the psychotherapeutic process involves the exploration of unconscious patterns which influence our behaviour and relationships.

Why would I choose psychotherapy?

While all of the above have their place and value, psychotherapy is deep work which can enable profound, long-term change. In fact, psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists will often refer clients to a psychotherapist when other interventions are not sufficient.

When we feel ‘stuck’, we are often continuing patterns which originated as coping mechanisms in childhood. These patterns may prove maladaptive in adulthood, leading us to respond to challenges in ways that no longer serve us. Psychotherapy helps us to identify these unconscious patterns, address their origins, and guide individuals through the emotional processing needed to dismantle them.

Experiencing pain doesn’t mean we are broken. It means we are human.
Psychotherapy is not about illness or cures, but about becoming wholly, fully, alive.

How do I find the right therapy and therapist for me?

Ultimately, the most important factor in the success of any type of therapy is the relationship between you and your therapist.

A good mental health professional (e.g. therapist or GP) will be willing to work with you to identify your support needs, and help you find the right kind of therapy. As a starting point, reflect on the following questions:

• What do you feel are your main issues or difficulties?

• How long these have been problematic?

• Are they a pattern, or related to a one-off event or set of circumstances?

• Have you ever spoken to a GP about your concerns?

If you feel dismissed or misunderstood, consider seeking a second opinion. The right person will make you feel seen, known, heard and understood. This is the basis for an effective therapeutic relationship which is essential for therapy to succeed.

If you think that counselling or psychotherapy might be right for you, I invite you to contact me for a conversation. We can discuss your history, go through the process and decide together whether an appointment with me, another therapist, and/or a referral to a medical professional is appropriate. I am also happy to talk you through how fees and Medicare rebates work, as this can be complex and confusing.

*If you or someone close to you is at immediate risk of harm, call triple zero (000).
To talk to someone now, call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.