When to See a Psychologist in Melbourne: Signs and Solutions for Better Mental Health

Learn when to see a psychologist for better mental health.

Recognising when to get help is the first step to better mental health. Many people in Melbourne experience mental health issues but don’t know when to ask for help.

Common reasons for seeing a psychologist include:

• dealing with grief
• anxiety
• depression
• relationship problems
• job stress
• lack of confidence

You don’t need a formal diagnosis to benefit from psychological counselling; many seek help for everyday concerns. Overwhelming feelings related to relationship endings or grief or physical symptoms like pain and headaches signal it might be time to consult a mental health professional.

Chronic anxiety and depression can make daily life impossible, making it hard to manage stress and increasing our sense of demand and pressure. Feeling sad, irritable, and unable to concentrate are signs that you may be struggling more than you think.

Difficulty feeling a sense of achievement or contentment and constantly feeling the pressure to strive for the next thing is often minimised as the ‘rat race’ or ‘just part of life’. Individuals often feel they need more discipline or routine to keep up with the demand; however, this usually amplifies the problem.

When one’s sense of achievement and success comes at the cost of their sense of worth, relationship issues, or daily stress, support for improved mental well-being is needed.

When faced with mental health issues, some people turn to unhelpful coping mechanisms like addictions, detachment or overeating. Our amygdala (the part of our brain responsible for detecting and reacting to perceived threats) mobilises us into a flight, freeze or fight response, which can amplify our struggles when all we need is to escape difficult feelings and situations.

Recognising these signs early can mean you need psychological help to develop healthier coping strategies.

Significant disruptions in sleep patterns or appetite can be typical signs of underlying psychological issues. An increase or decrease in appetite, along with changes in sleep, can signal emotional distress such as anxiety or depression.

These changes are often interconnected, as improvements or declines in one can influence the other. If you notice alterations in your sleep or appetite lasting more than a few weeks, it may be time to consult a psychologist for professional guidance to foster positive changes.

If you experience relationship difficulties or find yourself withdrawing from social activities, it may be time to seek psychological support to improve your daily life and emotional well-being.

Unresolved conflicts can leave emotional scars, creating distance between partners and fostering feelings of loneliness. When we feel unable to communicate and express our needs freely within relationships, this can lead to resentment or a sense of stuckness/helplessness.

Unhelpful thoughts and negative predictions about the consequences of expressing our needs often keep us silenced, amplifying a sense of shame. Frequent arguments and feeling isolated within a relationship indicate the need for professional intervention.

Working with a psychologist can improve communication, rebuild emotional connection, and reduce isolation and healthier relationships.

A significant drop in social engagement and activities can signal depression or other mental health problems, impacting one’s ability to enjoy previously liked activities and increasing one’s sense of disconnection and loneliness.

If you find yourself persistently withdrawing, avoiding or cancelling social activities and lacking interest in usual hobbies, it may be a sign of underlying mental health challenges such as intense sadness and anxiety.

Professional support can help regain interest in social activities and improve overall mental health.

Trauma, be it a one-off event or ongoing exposure in one’s relationships or environment, can lead to mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, complex trauma, anxiety or depression. Unhelpful coping mechanisms that are designed to relieve the pain of these experiences can unintentionally amplify the negative impacts on my relationships, employment or physical health.

Trauma, anxiety, and depression require seeing a medical doctor or mental health professional to get a personalised treatment plan for better mental health.

Trauma can bring on symptoms like hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, emotional numbness and nightmares. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a treatment for trauma and PTSD that helps individuals process traumatic memories.

This therapy can reduce intrusive thoughts and emotional distress and get you back to emotional health and better mental well-being.

Fluctuations in emotional states, changes in sleep and appetite and an increase in withdrawal and avoidance behaviours are signs that you need psychological help. There is a high comorbidity between Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Major Depression Disorder, with statistics as high as 50%.

Anxiety and Depression can significantly shift our perspective of the world and ourselves; our thinking becomes more worried or negative, impacting our mood and our behaviours.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a longstanding evidence-based therapy which helps manage these by changing negative thought patterns and developing healthier coping strategies.

Developing a long-term mental health treatment plan with a registered psychologist can address ongoing challenges related to anxiety and depression, improving overall mental health.

Many people hesitate to seek help due to fear, stigma, or a lack of understanding about mental health. However, engaging in early support from the right psychologist can significantly enhance the effectiveness of therapy.

In Melbourne, you can find experienced mental health professionals at Solace Psychology, offering treatment for a range of conditions from anxiety to depression.

By seeking professional help from our team, you can receive a tailored mental health treatment plan that suits your individual needs.

Finding the right psychologist in Melbourne is key to good mental health support. You can get mental health support through private health insurance, doctor referrals and group therapy.

Contact a team of psychologists, and we can find a psychologist that suits you and supports your mental health journey. If you are feeling overwhelmed, see a psychologist.

Building a rapport with your psychologist is important in therapy. You need to feel safe and respected to get a therapeutic relationship that works. If the first psychologist doesn’t feel right for you, don’t be afraid to see another until you find the right one.

Knowing what to expect in sessions can help you feel more comfortable and open to the process.

Fees for psychological consultations can vary greatly depending on the psychologist and the services. The recommended fee for a standard psychological consultation is $260, but for concession card holders with a mental health treatment plan, the out-of-pocket cost is $78.85.

Knowing the cost structure and how to claim Medicare rebates helps you plan your sessions better.

Mental health conditions include a range of disorders from anxiety to depression to PTSD and more. Treatment for these mental health conditions often involves psychological therapies, medications and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, treating mental illness as part of a whole approach.

Common types of therapy offered by psychologists include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR and group therapy. Each therapy targets specific mental health issues, so it’s important to get a tailored mental health treatment plan with your psychologist.

For more information about the different types of psychologists, check out our latest blog.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) targets negative thought patterns that impact emotions and behaviours. This structured approach is great for managing stress, anxiety and depression by helping you reframe negative thinking and develop coping skills.

Consulting a psychologist for CBT can significantly improve mental well-being and provide long-term benefits.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an approved therapy for processing trauma. This therapy uses bilateral stimulation of your brain to process traumatic memories without having to tell all the details of the trauma, making it a gentler option for those who can’t share their experience.

EMDR can reduce distress around traumatic memories and get you symptom relief.

Urgent psychological assistance is crucial when individuals experience impulsive or disinhibited behaviour, thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Instances such as suicidal ideation or self-injurious behaviour necessitate prompt psychological intervention.

If you or someone you know is expressing self-harming tendencies, it’s essential to seek immediate help from healthcare professionals to provide valuable support and prevent further harm.

Crisis intervention provides support to people in emotional or mental distress. The aim is to stabilise the situation, manage any immediate risks, reduce emotional reactions and get them back to their pre-crisis state. Good crisis intervention can lead to good outcomes like reduced distress and better problem-solving.

In a crisis situation, get professional help through emergency or crisis services such as your local hospital, GP, or Department of Health website Telephone and online services.

Having a mental health treatment plan with a psychologist is key to managing ongoing challenges. A long-term plan will develop coping skills and increase resilience, benefiting your mental health over time.

Working with a registered psychologist will help you get a plan that addresses your specific needs and ongoing support for psychological services and better mental health.

In summary, recognizing when to seek psychological help and understanding the available treatments are crucial steps toward better mental health. Whether you’re dealing with daily struggles, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or trauma, seeking professional support can make a significant difference.

By finding the right psychologist and developing a tailored mental health treatment plan, you can improve your mental well-being and build a healthier, more fulfilling life. Remember, taking the first step toward seeking help is a courageous and empowering decision.