How to Know if You Need to See a Psychologist

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Are you wondering how to know if you need to see a psychologist? If so, the first thing you should understand is that there are no strict guidelines on who is and isn't eligible for professional support. If you're struggling with an emotional difficulty, life challenges or a mental health issue, seeking and talking to a psychologist can go a long way in managing and improving your ability to cope. 

Visiting a psychologist or therapist can help anyone deal with personal struggles; there are no limitations on who should talk to a psychologist, and why. Psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors are trained to guide you in the right direction when faced with a personal challenge. 

Do I Need Therapy?

Everyone experiences an off-day here and there. For some, this period can extend for longer than a day, seriously impacting day-to-day lives, mental wellbeing and quality of life. If this sounds like something you've been recently feeling, it may be time to consider seeking help. Searching for answers on how to know if you need to see a psychologist is the first step to acknowledging and understanding that you're able to seek support and overcome whatever it is that you're going through. 

How to Know if You Need to See a Psychologist 

Psychology and counselling are essential steps in fostering a supportive environment for your mental health. Seeking support from a professional clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or counsellor will provide you with the tools to safely address your concerns and deal with them in a matter that will prioritise your wellbeing. 

Anyone can see a psychologist, regardless of the challenges they face. Destigmatising therapy is an important step in understanding how to know if you need to see a psychologist. Below we've outlined some of the instances in which it may be time to seek professional help:

You're Experiencing Stress & Anxiety

Feeling stressed and anxious is normal – everybody experiences anxious feelings in an uncomfortable situation. However, it can be difficult to know if everyday stress has crossed the line into a disorder inhibiting your quality of life. 

A clinical psychologist has specialist training in supporting people to understand and manage their anxiety. Whether through CBT, mindfulness, exposure therapy or other coping strategies, visiting a professional psychologist for anxiety counselling is a key component of managing and treating stress and anxiety disorders. 

You're Grieving

When you lose someone or something important to you, it's normal to experience grief. No two people experience and cope with grief the same way, and it can be challenging to understand what you're feeling is normal without professional assurance. 

A clinical psychologist is trained to help guide you through the grieving process and potentially identify the presence of complicated grief. During grief counselling, your psychologist will listen to how you're feeling and provide a tailored treatment plan to guide you through your individual process.

You're Feeling Depressed

Feeling down now and then is something that we've all experienced. However, when you're experiencing more than just an 'off' day, it may be time to speak to a professional. Depression is a complex mental illness with a range of symptoms that can be very intense, long-lasting, distressing and in some cases, debilitating.

Talking to a trained professional is a key aspect of both identifying clinical depression and managing the symptoms. A psychologist can develop a treatment plan that addresses all of the factors that contribute to one's depression through a wide range of treatment options. The first step to alleviating feelings of depression is to understand what you're going through and seek depression counselling and management support. 

How to Know When It's Time to See a Therapist

These are just three of the many problems that can be managed with a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Other issues that a clinical professional can help with include, but are not limited to:

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Relationship problems

  • Pain management

  • Work stress and burnout

  • Phobia

  • Addiction

  • LGBTQ counselling

  • Life coaching

  • Self-esteem

  • Sleeping habits

  • OCD

  • Post-natal depression

  • And more

Seeking professional support is something that many can benefit from, whether they are experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, or another mental health challenge. The important thing is understanding that anyone can reach out and seek support, even if they are struggling to identify what they’re feeling.

The friendly and expert team at Fulham Consulting are here to break down the barriers between you and professional support. Based in Townsville, Queensland, our team offer expertise in the full range of psychiatric and clinical psychology services for adults, couples, children and families. If you'd like to learn more about our services, do not hesitate to get in touch - we're available on 4728 5209. 

Lydia Rigano