Hello Eth93
Welcome to Beyond Blue. Jess has covered the main points of 'clicking' with your psychologist. There are many people who shop around so to speak to find someone they feel comfortable with. It's not usually because one is better than another, just different.
I am definitely with Jess on my expectations of treatment. While I didn't think there would be a magic wand involved, I suspect part of me expected a cure without me doing anything. I think we are so used to going to our usual GP, explaining our symptoms and being given some treatment, that it must be the way all health problems are dealt with. Sadly not.
When I finally realised I had to do more than turn up it was a sad day. We expect to get well in a short space of time and definitely see a difference in our lives quite quickly. Perhaps psychologists need to explain this at the beginning of treatment but I'm not sure we would take it in. My GP has told me she has explained different things to me but I was not in the right place to hear her. Probably when we meet with psychologists, and psychiatrists for that matter, we are not in a good headspace to take in or understand how the whole process works. This is where the relationship makes a difference.
To work fully and openly with a psychologist or other mental health professional, we need to trust them. This does not happen automatically. It takes a while to give and receive trust. Your psych must be able to trust you to work co-operatively with him/her as well as you trusting they will help you.
Jess said Have you given any thought to why specifically things haven't worked out with previous psychologists? This a very important point. The relationship is an active one, both people contributing to the session. In the light of what Jess and I have said, can you think of ways you can make your relationship with your psych work?
Mary
