Making the decision to see a psychologist can be difficult. Clients often describe being concerned about what others in their life might think of them if they found out. They also report seeing themselves as incompetent just because they could do with some assistance.
One way to challenge this evaluation and put it into perspective is to ask yourself the following question: Would you hesitate to make an appointment to see a doctor if you (or a loved one) were feeling unwell, hadn’t been eating or sleeping normally, or hadn’t been able to concentrate on their work as usual? No, of course not. In fact, you probably think there is a genuine need to seek a professional opinion to help understand the symptoms, why they arose, and what to do about them. Psychological disorders have similar characteristics, so why not consult a professional about your mental well-being too?
Your psychological health is just as important as your physical health
Psychologists are professionals who specialise in understanding and helping people with difficulties related to:
- Managing emotions and moods;
- Self esteem and identity;
- Communicating with others; and
- Coping with the many challenging and unexpected events in life.
Psychologists are highly trained professionals who must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) prior to being able to offer their services to the public. Most psychologists working in Australia have both undergraduate and postgraduate training from a University. The psychologists working at Enhance Psychology WA have accredited postgraduate University qualifications at the Masters and Doctoral level in their respective areas of professional interest (please see Our Psychologists for the specific training of our psychologists).
The psychology profession is highly regulated in Australia and all registered individuals are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of professional develop annually in order to maintain their rights to continue to practice.