Psychologists have studied human behavior and the brain (including how people think, feel, learn and behave) and have been trained to assist people who are having challenges coping with emotions, thoughts and actions. This can include those experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, addictive behaviours and childhood behaviour disorders. Psychologists use evidence-based approaches that are tailored to suit each client and circumstance and they assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of clients and areas of concern.

No – you can make an appointment with our psychologists without a referral from your General Practitioner or a Psychiatrist.

It’s very normal to feel anxious, nervous, or unsure about your first therapy session. Our psychologists and/or social workers will provide a private, comfortable, safe, respectful and non-judgmental place for you to discuss anything you need to. In the first few sessions, the practitioner will typically ask you questions about yourself, your life, and any presenting problems you would like to work on. Together, you will create a plan of how therapy can assist you with these problems, how many sessions it may take, and how frequently you should meet. Prior to your first session it can be helpful for you to ask yourself what changes you would like to make in your life. The aim of therapy is for us to then work together to help you achieve those changes.

We understand confidentiality and privacy can be a concern. Any information disclosed to us is treated confidentially (including case notes, records, and psychological test results) and stored accordingly. No information will be disclosed without the client’s consent. If there is a need to disclose information (i.e. to a doctor, solicitor or third party) the client will be consulted and a release of information will need to be signed by the client.

Appointment times can vary but usually a session will last 45-60mins. How many sessions you need depends on your situation and can be discussed with your psychologist. After the first 1-2 sessions, your therapist will discuss what they think is an appropriate amount of sessions to help you address the presenting problem. This way you can set goals and work together on achieving them.

The number of sessions you have with your psychologist will vary for each individual. Some issues may only require brief interventions while others may be more complex and require more time. As you work with your psychologist over the first three to four sessions you will develop a plan with them to give you a better idea of what to expect.

The stereotype of a client lying on a couch, describing dreams to a psychologist is based on early psychoanalytic techniques, from the beginnings of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysts still use the therapy couch, but it is not usual for psychologists to work this way anymore. Part of the purpose of the couch, aside from allowing the client to be as comfortable as possible, was to allow the analyst to sit out of view of the client. The analyst wanted to be able to observe the client, but did not want his/her own reactions to influence the client. Some psychologists have recliners in their office, rather than a couch, while others have sofas or comfortable chairs. Today, psychologists want to be able to maintain eye contact with their clients, because facial cues are important in assessing emotions.

It is normal for kids to be nervous about coming to see a psychologist because they don’t know what to expect and may worry they are ‘bad’ or there is something ‘wrong’ with them. It may be helpful to explain that coming to see a psychologist is like seeing a doctor for your physical health; a psychologist can help with our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We see lots of children for all sorts of reasons. Usually after the first visit, children will look forward to sessions and understand that they are in a safe place where they can enjoy being themselves, and talk about things they may find difficult.

We have a waiting room but we use it just to greet clients. We do not schedule appointments back to back so no other clients should be around either when you arrive or when you leave. Typically we greet all of our clients and begin our session within minutes of their arrival.