What to look for in a counsellor or psychologist

Finding the right counsellor or psychologist can take a little time. Training and registration matter. So does how it feels to sit in the room with them.

Research across hundreds of studies shows that a warm, respectful working relationship is one of the most reliable signs that therapy will help. Below are the signs to look for, questions to ask in your first session, and what to do if it does not feel right.

Check the counsellor or psychologist is registered

Psychologists

In Australia, the title psychologist is protected by law. Every psychologist must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia through Ahpra. You can search the Ahpra register of practitioners by name. The register also shows any conditions that limit what a practitioner can do.

Some psychologists also hold an area of practice endorsement, such as clinical psychology, counselling psychology or clinical neuropsychology. The Psychology Board explains that an endorsement shows advanced training, including a postgraduate qualification and a registrar program. Endorsements also appear on the public register.

Counsellors

Healthdirect explains that counsellors and psychotherapists do not belong to a national regulating body in the way psychologists do. Instead, it suggests checking that a counsellor belongs to a professional body. Healthdirect names the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), and the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), which the two associations run together. In addition, ACA and PACFA hold their members to a code of ethics and a complaints process.

Online directories are opt-in, so not every member is listed. If you cannot find someone, you can contact the association to check. Our article on counsellor, psychologist or clinical psychologist explains the differences in more detail, including Medicare rebates.

Why the relationship matters so much

Psychologists have studied what helps therapy work for decades. For example, a task force of the American Psychological Association reviewed this research in 2018. Overall, it concluded that the therapy relationship makes a substantial and consistent difference to outcomes, whatever type of therapy is used.

These studies show strong links, not proof that one thing causes another. Still, the pattern is consistent. How you and your therapist work together matters, alongside the type of therapy you choose.

What a good counsellor or psychologist does

Listens without judging

You should be able to talk about hard things without feeling criticised or lectured. The Psychology Board’s code of conduct asks psychologists to be respectful, empathic and honest, and to make sure their personal views do not affect the care they give.

Makes decisions with you

After all, therapy works best as a partnership. The code says decisions about services are shared decisions made by the psychologist and the client, and that clients have the right to make their own decisions. A good therapist explains the options, gives a reason for what they suggest, and listens when you disagree.

Agrees goals and checks progress

Early on, you and your therapist should agree on what you want to change. Many therapists use short questionnaires every few sessions to see how things are going. In one large review, this kind of feedback nearly doubled the rate of meaningful improvement for people who were not on track. As a result, it gives you both a chance to change the plan early.

Respects your culture and identity

Your background, culture, faith, gender, sexuality and language shape how you experience the world. In a review of 99 studies, care that fitted the client’s culture worked better on average. A second review of 15 studies found that clients’ ratings of their therapist’s cultural understanding predicted outcomes. However, therapists’ ratings of themselves did not.

Researchers call the helpful attitude cultural humility. In other words, it means being curious and open, rather than assuming you already know someone’s culture. So a good therapist will ask what matters to you. They should also offer a professional interpreter if you would prefer to speak in your own language. Our article on culturally responsive mental health care has more on this.

Is open about fees and confidentiality

Before you start, your therapist should explain their role, the limits of confidentiality and the fees. The code asks psychologists to discuss fees openly, to give you time to ask questions, and to tell you that you can withdraw your consent at any time.

Can talk about it when something goes wrong

Sometimes a therapist says something that does not sit right. You are allowed to say so. Good therapists welcome this. In fact, a review of 11 studies found that repairing these strains together was linked with better outcomes.

Questions to ask a counsellor or psychologist

Healthdirect suggests some of these questions. It is also fine to bring a list.

• What can I expect from our appointments?
• What style of therapy do you use, and why might it suit me?
• How many sessions do you expect we will need?
• What will we work on, and how will we know it is helping?
• Who else could see my information, and when would you need to share it?
• What are the fees, and can I claim a Medicare or private health rebate?
• Will my family or friends be involved at any point?

You can also decide what you do not feel ready to share yet, because trust can take time to build.

Signs a counsellor or psychologist is a good fit

Healthdirect says that after a few sessions you should:

• not feel judged or criticised
• feel comfortable speaking your mind
• start to see some improvement and feel better

Still, progress is not always a straight line. Some weeks feel harder, especially when you are working on painful memories. Over time, though, you should have a sense that things are moving.

Warning signs in a counsellor or psychologist

該 Psychology Board’s code of conduct sets clear limits. Speak up, or seek advice, if a therapist:

• pursues a friendship, romantic or sexual relationship with you
• pushes their personal or religious beliefs on you
• is vague about fees or pressures you into extra services, gifts or money
• starts treatment without explaining it or asking for your consent
• speaks about you or people like you in a disrespectful or culturally unsafe way
• keeps seeing you when you are not benefiting, without talking about other options

You can raise a concern about a registered practitioner with Ahpra on 1300 419 495. In Victoria, the Health Complaints Commissioner also takes complaints about counsellors and other health service providers on 1300 582 113.

If your counsellor or psychologist does not feel right

Healthdirect notes that you may need to meet a few professionals before you find the right person, and Beyond Blue encourages people not to let one bad experience put them off. If something is not working, it suggests talking to your therapist first. Often a small change helps, so it is worth asking. If it still does not fit, you can change. With your consent, your notes can then be sent to your new practitioner.

Invictus Health 能提供哪些協助

With our counsellors and psychologists, you can expect to agree on goals together, to be asked how sessions are going, and to have your culture, identity and language respected. Our clinicians also come from diverse backgrounds and communities.

You can read about each person on our find your best fit page, and see our 諮商與臨床心理學 services. If you are not sure where to start, book a 15-minute phone call. If the first person you see is not the right fit, please tell us. We are then happy to help you find someone who suits you better. Fees are on our 費用與退款 頁面。.

If you are in danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14. This article is general information. Please speak with a qualified health professional about your own situation.