What can psychology do for me?

Thoughts and behaviours determine our emotions in response to events 

The theory and practice of psychology is based on the idea that how we feel is as much a consequence of how we think and behave as much as it is to our situation or a particular event.  Our thoughts and behaviour in response to that specific situation or event is the key driver of how we feel. 

Psychological therapy will help you to understand just what is going on between your thoughts, behaviours and emotions, and help you to develop ways of better managing and/or changing all three.  It aims to help you to master the skills and techniques that you can then draw upon throughout your life, no matter what life brings.

Learn to manage your life through understanding your own psychology

Though it sounds simple, putting it in to practice in a way that’s tailored to your needs and resources takes expertise and experience, especially in the original assessment session, and in the treatment sessions that follow.  The initial assessment allows the psychologist to develop an understanding of the current issues but also longer term factors that may be important causal or maintaining factors which need to be addressed.  It also helps us to see what strengths and resources you have already that can be leveraged to help you.  From there, a tailored formulation of the problem(s) and specific treatment approach will be agreed with you.

Clinical Psychologists are unique in that we are specifically trained at Masters degree level to assess, diagnose and provide treatment, so are best placed to provide the help you need.  The knowledge, practical experience in placements, and training gained at university (first in undergraduate Honours degrees, and then in Master degrees) is extensive; and is then supplemented by two further years of professional development, scrutiny of practice, and proof of competence required for AHPRA and the Psychology Board of Australia to authorize endorsement of registration as a Clinical Psychologist. 

All of this expertise will be used to help with the complexity and uniqueness of you and your particular difficulty.