There are many reasons why people seek extra support from a psychologist. And, that’s not just okay… It’s right. Because WE SHOULD ALL LOOK FOR MENTORS throughout the entire journey of our lives.
Think about it…
Our parents and caregivers are our first role models (be it good or bad). Then there are neighbours, teachers, extended family, friends, coaches, etc. Generally, these role models become our personal support network. A personal support network is very important. Because it allows us to feel connected and safe.
What we recommend is to surround yourself with a professional network as well. To do this, you want to find highly qualified, experienced and effective mentors. Ideally, you would look for the best in every area of your life to guide you along your way. This should include a great General Practitioner, an experienced psychologist, a life coach, an excellent accountant, etcetera. Today, we’ll just focus on the psychology part of the professional support network equation.
Reasons Why You Might See a Psychologist
We all have moments in life when we feel we’re stuck and struggle to move forward. These can include:
- experiencing a lot of sudden or continued stress,
- feeling negative emotions
- depression
- anxiety,
- anger
- worry,
- fear,
- uncertainty about the future,
- feeling like you don’t have a purpose or unsure where you’re going in life
These are all indicators that it might be time to chat to somebody. And that is your starting point: having the awareness of where you are at.
Another reason why people might see a psychologist could be to improve their relationship with themselves. That’s a really big one. It could be feeling like:
- I’m angry,
- I feel frustrated,
- I’m disappointed with myself,
- I am not happy with my outcomes and the results,
- I don’t have any clarity,
- I’m just going round and round in circles,
- I’ve been doing this for weeks, months, or even years, and I’m feeling stuck.
In these times, we need new tools, tips and strategies to break through what’s holding us back. And that’s the perfect time to chat with an expert in changing human behaviour. You see, a great solution-focused psychologist understands how to bridge the gap.
Here’s why.
To become a psychologist, you have to do years (around 6-8) of research, training, and practice. All this experience gives them a deep understanding of thought processes and how to retrain your brain. And, the best psychologists develop those skills every day so they can help you create the changes you want.
The Best Counsellors are Expert Problem-Solvers
You know, what I often say is:
“It’s okay to be stuck, but staying stuck is the big problem. Now we know what the problem is, let’s work towards the solution.”
Brad Everton
If you’re not happy with yourself, that’s likely to spill over into other relationships. It will leak into both your personal and professional lives. Because they are all interconnected. The fact is, one thing affects the other. They create a domino effect. Which is why it really does make sense to do something about it sooner rather than later.
In fact…
Relationships are another reason you may choose to see a psychologist. Relationships can cause so much grief, pressure and stress. And, again, those relationships affect the other areas of our lives too.
A Great Psychologist Focuses on Getting You Better Results
Unfortunately…
There’s still some stigma attached to seeing a psychologist. BUT most people just want better results in life. And it just makes sense to seek support from someone outside your normal circle. Because an experienced professional can look at your issues from a different perspective. Plus, many of the problems are very common. The things we often see include:
- Wanting more from life
- you want to come first place
- find someone to love
- get that promotion
- have a great job AND financial freedom AND a loving family AND fun, etc)
- Improve your relationships
- with yourself
- your loved ones
- your work colleagues
- Dealing with grief and loss
- the passing of a loved one
- after the breakdown of a relationship
- losing a beloved friend or pet
- Acute or chronic stress
- from a traumatic event
- bullying and harassment
- Feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed
- feeling anxious about your career
- unhappy with your workplace relationships
- feeling as though you’re not connecting with your partner or your kids
The thing is…
If issues such as grief and loss were to go on unchecked over a period of time, it will cause things like anxiety and depression. Again, it is all interconnected.
Reduce Negative Emotions by Chatting with a Counsellor
Stress is often an indicator of things being off track. One of the ways to know we’re experiencing stress is through our emotions.
Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, fear, disappointment, overwhelm, despair, and powerlessness are all indicators that you’re off track. All you need when you are off track are some tools, tips and strategies to get back on track. That’s where the best psychologists can help you.
And, think about this for a moment…
Every action you take in life starts with a thought. Which means that to make any breakthroughs in life, you only need the right mindset.
So, to get the right mindset, all you need is to find the right psychologist, right? Which leads to the question:
“How can I find somebody who can support me to move forward?”
How to Pick a Psychologist to Help You Get a Breakthrough
Firstly, most psychologists will have a website. So when you Google “best psychologist near me,” be sure to:
- Look over what they stand for,
- Check how much experience they have,
- See if they specialise in a particular area of interest that matches what you are looking for, and
- (most importantly…)
- Try to get a sense of whether they have a style that might match yours.
For example:
On our website, we talk about Brad’s extensive counselling experience. We clearly outline the therapy services we provide and the areas of psychology Brad specialises in. Throughout our website, you can see what we stand for, learn more about us, and so much more. Every psychologist’s website should include this type of information to give you an idea of what they are about. By taking the time to do this, many of your questions should be answered.
If you still have questions, give the psychology practice a call and ask those questions before you make an appointment.
Secondly, once you’re engaged in the sessions, it’s important to connect with your psychologist. An experienced psychologist can build a good rapport quickly within the first couple of sessions. But remember… You only get out what you put in. So, don’t leave it all up to the psychologist. They can’t guess what you want to get out of the sessions. And the only way they can truly support you is if you open up and give it your best as well.
Plus…
Your psychologist should always be non-judgmental. An impartial ear. They should be understanding of your situation, whom you can bounce off, and lead you towards your goals. In essence, your psychologist should be guiding you towards achieving the outcomes you’re looking for.
What to Expect in Your First Sessions with a Great Psychologist
In the first session, make sure the psychologist gets a good understanding of your key issues. That’s really what they should be aiming for initially. Then, if they’re solution-focused, they should be helping you identify your goal and start heading towards it.
In our practice, Brad ensures you leave with at least one new concept by the end of your first session to get you started. You see, our key focus is to empower you to live your best life.
Next, your psychologist will help you create a plan to move forward. You should be able to work together with your therapist on this. Together, you should gain awareness and clarity of what you want to achieve and start working towards your goals.
Fundamentally, in seeing a psychologist, we’re looking for better outcomes and better results. Because (for whatever reason), you’re not currently getting those outcomes and results. So, talking to a professional mindset trainer is the perfect place to start turning things around.
Hopefully, now you can see the value of talking to an expert therapist. And this inspires you to take that first step. Because no matter who you are; whether you are a big CEO like Richard Branson, a doctor on Operation Ouch, one of the many service providers that help those guys create and distribute, or if you need support through services like NDIS due to life’s circumstances… we all need the great mental skills to live a truly happy and fulfilled life. So, don’t let anything hold you back – take action today to develop your mental life skills.
Psychologist and International Author
Synergy Mind Solutions