How Do I choose the Right Psychologist or Dietitian For Me?

Deciding to come and speak to a professional about your mental health can be a daunting task. There are so many websites, and many psychology and allied health practices have a number of profiles to scroll through. Clinical Psychologist Deb Newburn shares some guidance about how to find the right professional for you below.

How do you choose?

Often we look at website after website, scanning profile pictures for the warmth of someone’s smile trying to determine if we see wisdom in their smile? Without more information we may seek a particular qualification, age, or list of areas of interest or experience. Myself, an experienced psychologist, have found myself using all of the above in seeking my own therapist. Sometimes it has landed me with a good fit, other times I have found myself in therapeutic relationships that are fine, but don’t quite fit for me.

The truth is, there is no way to guarantee that the first clinician you see will be right for you. However, there are a number of things to contemplate to increase the likelihood of getting the most out of seeing a psychologist or dietitian.

What do I look for?

Research has shown over and over again that the therapeutic relationship is a key factor in achieving positive treatment outcomes. While you can never know everything prior to starting to work with someone we encourage you to take time to consider what might contribute to feeling comfortable and well supported.

You might consider the style of therapy you are looking for. This can include a particular type of therapy you are interested in. CBT or EMDR for example. Or it can be the way you want a therapist to deliver treatment. Some people prefer a more direct approach with plenty of at home skills to practice, while others are looking to slowly tell their story prior to moving into active therapy.

Finding a clinician who has experience or interest in the areas you are seeking help for is recommended. While psychologists and dietitians are generally trained at university and have core skills and knowledge that can help a diverse range of people there are some presentations such as eating disorders, trauma responses, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or substance use difficulties that benefit from treatment that requires additional training and knowledge. Having clinicians that are informed in areas such as gender or sexuality, neurodivergence, or other minority experiences may also enhance the care you receive.   

In saying that, it is not always ideal to look for a treating clinician who is the same as you. Research suggests that if a clinician’s experience is too close to your own there may be shared assumptions that contribute to less curiosity and listening. So, for example, we don’t recommend discounting how much there is to gain from seeing a psychologist who is much younger or older than you. Safety is essential, however from a place of compassion broad perspectives can be enlightening. A well trained clinician will ensure treatment is appropriate to your world and the difficulties you bring to your therapy.

Importantly, if you have already had mental health treatment, reflect on what has helped, and what you have liked or disliked from previous therapists. Ultimately, while you want to learn from the clinicians you see and be open to their suggested treatment approaches, you are also the expert in what sorts of approaches work best for you.

Lastly, consider the practical elements. Most therapeutic interventions require weekly or fortnightly appointments to get maximin benefit. As such, you are better to wait a few weeks to see a psychologist whose schedule works for you, than book with someone who it is going to be hard to see each week. Discuss cost and whether you can access rebates prior to booking, and discuss length of care with your clinician early in the process.

Okay, so what do I do with all this?

While the convenience of booking your first appointment online can be appealing, we recommend looking for Psychologists or Dietitians in Melbourne that have a team member who will take time to listen to you and recommend which allied health professional on their team is most likely to be a good fit. Many practices do that today.

Here at Person Centred Psychology & Allied Health our triage team has a dedicated triage coordinator, and allocations are supported by me, Deb, Founding Director, Clinical Psychologist, and passionate advocate for individualised evidence informed care that truly makes a difference in people’s lives. Dietetic allocations are carefully supported by Nicole Munro, Accredited Dietitian and Dietetic Lead.

We are interested in all of the above, and anything else you would like us to know prior to booking you in with one of our clinicians.

One last thing.

If the fit isn’t right, speak up. This is your care, and it has to work for you. With all the best of intentions and years of training at the end of the day, there are still two (or more) humans in a room. Good mental health practitioners are open to feedback, and typically we recommend that if your therapy isn’t quite hitting the mark, you let your psychologist or dietitian know. While this may feel a little awkward, often it creates a deeper connection and allows therapy to meet your specific goals. If, however, you just know that your clinician isn’t quite right for you, you have every right to ask to see someone else. Should that happen with a psychologist or dietitians at Person Centred Psychology & Allied Health please request to speak to me. I will personally assist you to find an alternative clinician at our practice, or suggest avenues for you to find the treatment you are looking for. Additionally, we have a culture of feedback and are always eager to learn and grow. Feedback will be used to continue to support our clinicians and business to grow and strive for excellence in compassionate person-centred therapeutic interventions.