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Athena__ Seeing a Psychologist Isn't Working
  • replies: 7

I have seen three different psychologists across my life. One when I was young (late primary school), another when I was in my early teens and just now another one. I can't say much for the earliest experience but with the other two I feel that I hav... View more

I have seen three different psychologists across my life. One when I was young (late primary school), another when I was in my early teens and just now another one. I can't say much for the earliest experience but with the other two I feel that I have achieved very little. The one I saw in my early teens and I would see each other very rarely (because of her schedule being very full), and so it felt that I was mostly discussing my life and any revelation we may have had was essentially forgotten by the time we saw each other a month or two later. There was no real treatment either? In the sense that it was mostly just talking about the present and how it made me feel rather than addressing issues. With my new therapist I was incredibly optimistic as we were going to be able to meet quite often and she was willing to address my issues and find solutions. However I feel that nothing has been achieved and I don't know if it's from a lack of effort on my part, or maybe there's nothing that needs to be fixed to begin with. She attempted to get me to 'visualize my anxiety' and see it sitting in a chair and talk to it. Then she attempted to get me to hit the chair with a pillow. It was incredibly uncomfortable and brought back a lot of year 7 trauma from drama class, like playing pretend. Then we attempted CBT but she very quickly moved to Schema Therapy. None of it has made any difference and I don't know what I'm doing wrong. She asks me questions and I just respond with 'I don't know' because I have an incredibly poor memory and she seems to be frustrated with my lack of answers. It feels like everything I do is futile, and anything that may be achieved in our sessions becomes essentially useless once I leave the room. I struggle a lot with articulating my thoughts as well, and it feels that sometimes she doesn't understand what I'm trying to say. I guess I'm not putting enough effort into my treatment, but I don't know what putting effort in would even look like. I'm becoming frustrated with my own lack of progress in therapy and within myself and I genuinely don't know what to do. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any advice for what it is that I'm doing wrong, or for how to get the most out of seeing a psychologist? Thank you.

gbf Psychiatrist Advice
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I really don't feel comfortable with my psychiatrist. I have been seeing her since earlier this year for acute depression with suicidal ideation/attempt. I have been on multiple medications but none have helped. I feel that my psychiatrist ha... View more

Hi all, I really don't feel comfortable with my psychiatrist. I have been seeing her since earlier this year for acute depression with suicidal ideation/attempt. I have been on multiple medications but none have helped. I feel that my psychiatrist has made very poor assumptions about me - based on the roughly 5 hours total I have seen her for. When I talk to her, I feel she does not listen to what I have to say, only what she wants to hear, e.g. saying things like "but you're leaving the house, so you can't be feeling that bad", despite me telling her that I am still really struggling with simple effort tasks like showering, eating properly etc. My psychiatrist wants me to move out of home, even though I can't trust myself to be alone right now and home is where my support is. When I told her this, she inferred I was incompetent and needed to "do things on my own". I have tried to defend myself so many times but it's like talking to a brick wall, or a bully. I am scared to see her again. I leave her office feeling so small. As I'm not on the right medication it feels like I'm stuck with her. I worry that if I try and find another psychiatrist I'll be waiting for so long that I'll get worse. But I also worry that she is right, and I'm too depressed to hear it. I guess my question is, what if she is telling me what I need to hear but I can't hear it because I am depressed? Do I trust myself and stop seeing her, or should I trust her more as the professional?Thanks.

Suncy Referral & Medicare & Private insurance
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I'm just new here due to eating disorder issues. My GP referred me to a psychologist under MHCP. However the issue is, I need to wait too long for that psychologist, and then I need to change another. I was told if want to be eligible fo... View more

Hi everyone, I'm just new here due to eating disorder issues. My GP referred me to a psychologist under MHCP. However the issue is, I need to wait too long for that psychologist, and then I need to change another. I was told if want to be eligible for MHCP, and covered by Medicare, on my referral letter, have to be with the correct psychologist name? Also, my current fees plan is, running out my private insurance first (500 max), and then start to use Medicare. Is that okay? Thank you everyone. Really appreciate.

Guest_26163501 Struggle Street
  • replies: 6

Hi.. So I'm starting to really struggle, I have been "managing" depression for 30 years and have tried many methods, medications, and therapists, but am now at a loss, anyone have anything new that has helped?

Hi.. So I'm starting to really struggle, I have been "managing" depression for 30 years and have tried many methods, medications, and therapists, but am now at a loss, anyone have anything new that has helped?

ABC01 Confused about different types of groups
  • replies: 4

Dear All, I am slightly confused about the different types of groups available to participate in. I have found a support group and a social group. Are there any other types of groups? My understanding is that a support group is to introduce yourself,... View more

Dear All, I am slightly confused about the different types of groups available to participate in. I have found a support group and a social group. Are there any other types of groups? My understanding is that a support group is to introduce yourself, tell how your time has been going and discuss how you may cope(as in strategies or techniques that work for you,so other can hear them). For the particular topic of the support group. And then others in the group do the same. It is a supportive environment. But there is no education component. As in a lesson on the topic. A social group is to meet like minded people or people in a similar situation, but instead of discussing these feelings, is an outlet to meet people and have a coffee and chat. Not too heavy or deep. Also may allow people to get out of the house and the group members understand how hard it is for people to have done that. Also no educational component. Is this correct?Are there any other group types in relation to mental health that I am not aware off? Thank you for reading,ABC01

Shadree Finding a reliable therapist
  • replies: 3

TLDR: I'd like to know how to go about find a reliable therapist. One I can see on a regular basis and won't suddenly stop practicing. I've had a bad run trying to find and keep a psychologist.My first wanted to hypnotise me and got upset when I woul... View more

TLDR: I'd like to know how to go about find a reliable therapist. One I can see on a regular basis and won't suddenly stop practicing. I've had a bad run trying to find and keep a psychologist.My first wanted to hypnotise me and got upset when I wouldn't let him.My second was highly irregular. It was months between visits. When I finally had a session, there was only enough time to catch up, not discuss issues.The latest hurdle was being referred to Psychology SA. First therapist stopped practicing altogether and started teaching. Second therapist (my favourite so far) stopped seeing adult clients. Third therapist wasn't ideal but I was giving him a try. Then, not 5 sessions is, the entire Psychology SA business stopped running.Side note: I was told they would help but all I got was two names of franchises. Not even specific offices. I need some stability and don't want to have to build up rapport or explain my problems to a new person every few months.I tried the Australian Psychological Society’s directory but I can't even figure out how to filter out telehealth. At the moment, I am planning to ask my GP but they're quite flippant about the process. I could use some advise.

Pura Hi All, I 'd to Introduce myself
  • replies: 2

Hi I am Pura, new to the forum. I am 44 year old mom to three kids. I am a self diagnosed ( much later in life)ADD person and I have two children who has the same traits. My aim is to learn more about ADD and find effective tools for us to thrive. Al... View more

Hi I am Pura, new to the forum. I am 44 year old mom to three kids. I am a self diagnosed ( much later in life)ADD person and I have two children who has the same traits. My aim is to learn more about ADD and find effective tools for us to thrive. All my life I have felt as a misfit, lost and suffered from low confidence due to not being like others. I want to harness my strengths, manage chaos around me, and regain my confidence.

Tweet-Heart Clinical Psychologist - privacy guidelines around sensitive information clarification please...
  • replies: 32

I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to ... View more

I have just started seeing a clinical psychologist, he told me about privacy which I understand. However, I want to discuss some sensitive information and provide him with sensitive documents that I don't want other people or third party agencies to know about. I called AHPRA today and they referred me to the APS Code of ethics which is a legally binding document. However, I am still uncertain about whether a clinical psychologist can retain a sensitive file and less sensitive file. I am just concerned about third party agencies like Centrelink, insurers, worksafe etc finding out about sensitive information that is not relevant and then using that against me. I just feel that people should be able to consult with professionals without having to worry about this kind of thing. I also don't want him to keep an electronic file. Maybe I should discuss this with him at our next session, any advice would be appreciated.

Innerbattle Struggle to get help
  • replies: 2

I need to get professional help but am finding the idea of getting help really hard. I have made appointments in the past with a gp wanting to get referral for help and then when i get into the appointment deflect and change why I am there. I find it... View more

I need to get professional help but am finding the idea of getting help really hard. I have made appointments in the past with a gp wanting to get referral for help and then when i get into the appointment deflect and change why I am there. I find it extremely hard to talk to anyone about how I'm coping mentally and the internal conflicts. I was raised to keep my problems to myself and say " I am fine" even if I'm not because there are others out there that are worse off. Does anyone have any advice to get past this so I can get help?

lela questions about seeing a psychologist
  • replies: 2

hello i'm thinking of seeking therapy for various mental health conditions but i'm immunocompromised and have to take covid precautions. i think i would be really uncomfortable in a traditional therapy setting, as i would have to be wearing my mask t... View more

hello i'm thinking of seeking therapy for various mental health conditions but i'm immunocompromised and have to take covid precautions. i think i would be really uncomfortable in a traditional therapy setting, as i would have to be wearing my mask the whole time and i don't really like doing that much especially as we get into the summer months lol. i have been thinking of solutions and i was wondering if anyone knows: when booking appointments etc. am i allowed to ask my psychologist to like sit in a park with me instead of being in their office or whatever? how likely would they be to say yes? thank you for reading