Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Therapy Last?
Some problems resolve quite quickly and others are more complex and take longer. A personalised plan will be discussed with you after assessment. This plan will be reviewed at each appointment. Weekly therapy is usually recommended at the start of treatment. For some people, two or three sessions may be sufficient, for others it will be many sessions. Regardless of the length of therapy, you should notice progress throughout treatment. If therapy is going be effective, you will notice an improvement in wellbeing over the first three or four weeks. I use a standardised measurement tool at each session to measure how things are going and make sure we are on track.
What Is A Psychologist?
Psychologists have specialist training in the assessment and treatment of mental health problems. This usually requires 6-7 years of university education. Psychologists have expertise in all aspects of psychological functioning and apply this expertise to a broad range of issues and clients. Most psychologists develop expertise in specific areas.
Am I 'Crazy' If I Go To Therapy?
Absolutely not! Mental health challenges are common in New Zealand with nearly half of the population meeting the criteria for a mental illness diagnosis at some stage in their lives. One in five young New Zealanders will meet the criteria for a mood and/or anxiety disorder by the age of 19 years. Māori and young adults experience higher rates of mental distress and members of the LGBTQIA+ rainbow community experience mental distress at significantly higher rates.
Will I Feel Uncomfortable Talking About My Problems?
Most people feel nervous before their first appointment. It is absolutely normal to feel uncomfortable talking about sensitive and hard topics, especially if you don't know the other person very well!
During the initial appointment it is helpful to consider if we are a good fit. Do I seem like someone you could trust? We will be establishing a relationship that will become the foundation for working together. As the relationship develops, trust will build and you will feel more confident.
What If I Don't Like My Therapist?
This is a super important question. Having a positive relationship with your therapist is one of the most important parts of therapy. In fact, it is a strong indicator of whether the therapy will be successful or not. Sometimes people do not 'click' with a therapist and that is OK. You will probably know in the first session or two. If you don't like your therapist it is OK to try someone different.
How Do I Get The Most Out Of Therapy?
Your active participation and commitment has a significant impact on how quickly and effectively you will reach your goals. We only see each other for one session a week. Therefore, the work you do for the remainder of the week (167 hours!) will really help you to see improvements in your wellbeing. Applying learning from the sessions and engaging in any therapy homework will be of great benefit and maximise the therapy experience.
Do You Provide Online Therapy?
Sessions are typically provided face-to-face in my clinic room. However, I do consider online therapy (Zoom, Skype) if requested. There are many advantages to online therapy (convenient, effective, flexibility with changing COVID-19 levels). Online is most useful for people with mild to moderate symptoms who are comfortable using technology and have a quiet and private space available.
