A psychologist is a trained mental health professional and are educated in the science of how people think, feel, behave, and interact with others.

Psychologists use evidence-based, tailored psychological approaches to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health conditions and concerns, and empower people to thrive.

In Australia, psychologists must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

They must have a minimum of six years of university training, engage in ongoing education, and adhere to strict ethical standards.

You can check on the  AHPRA website to see if a person is registered as a psychologist.

For more information, please visit The Australian Psychological Society.

Sport and exercise psychologists have completed the same (six year minimum) training as a general psychologist. They have also completed an additional two years minimum training (registrar program) to gain a specific ‘area of practice endorsement’. This provides sport and exercise psychologists with specialised expertise in helping with issues such as performance enhancement and mental skill development, anxiety and stress management, mental focus, team building and leadership, health and wellness, communication and conflict resolution, career training, injury rehabilitation, and more.

For more information, please visit this page.

Melissa is an endorsed sport and exercise psychologist.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialised training in psychiatry. They are trained to understand severe mental health issues and can prescribe medication.

Psychologists have completed a minimum of six years university study and are trained in the science of how people think, feel, and behave. Psychologists receive specialised training to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based therapies.

Both psychiatrists and psychologists understand how the brain works and can assist with various mental illnesses. The main difference between psychiatrists and psychologists is that psychiatrists attend medical school and become doctors and can prescribe medication. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Counsellors are trained to use a ‘person centred approach’, and can listen to a person’s concern, and form a plan to help them manage and improve their health and wellbeing. Unlike Psychology, counselling is not a regulated industry. This means that anyone who completes a one-day online course can call themselves a ‘counsellor’. Its important to check the qualifications of your prospective counsellor before making an appoint.

The key difference between counsellors and psychologists is that psychologists are trained to assess and diagnose people with mild to severe mental health issues.

Therapy has so many awesome benefits. Our mind has a powerful influence on how we perceive and interact with the world, other people, and ourselves; and if we are enacting our full potential. However, we are not born with the knowledge and skills to get the best out of ourselves and life.

A common misconception is psychology is something you only seek out when you are feeling down, overwhelmed, or when things are going right.

At Thriving Psychology, Melissa advocates psychology for prevention and performance, not just for treatment.

Seeing a psychologist is a strength. It’s like physio for your mind.

Not all therapists are the same, and finding the right fit is important for your progress. Just like with hairdressers, physios or coaches, it might take a few tries to find the psychologist who meets your needs.

At Thriving Psychology, it’s important you feel safe and comfortable. If you feel your sessions aren’t working for you, Melissa encourages you to discuss this with her. This conversation can help identify changes, which might involve modifying sessions, or considering a referral to someone who could be a better fit.

Your health and wellbeing is the main priority, and Melissa fully supports this.

All registered psychologists in Australia are bound by a very strict code of ethics to maintain confidentiality.

Everything you share with your psychologist, Melissa, at Thriving Psychology is strictly confidential; however, there may be situations where your psychologist is required to break confidentiality for legal or ethical reasons. These include:

• Concerns about your safety or the safety of others.
• Court-ordered requests for records.
• Communication with your GP if you’re using a Mental Health Care Plan.
• Consultation with a supervisor (without revealing your identity, unless prior consent has been obtained.
• If you give consent to share your information with another person or health professional.

Your psychologist will always speak to you first before disclosing your information for any reason.

Individual sessions typically last 50 minutes.

The first session may last up to 75mins due to additional administrative information, and obtaining initial information from you (e.g., background, concerns, goals), to inform your treatment and sessions moving forward.

It is very normal to feel a bit anxious and nervous before your first session. It takes courage to make the first step in getting help, so well done for taking control of your mental health and wellbeing.

It’s important to note that your psychology sessions are unique to you. There is ‘no one size fits all’ manual.

Your first session will typically look a little different to your subsequent sessions. This is because your psycologist will want to get to know you, what bought you to the appointment, and your current needs and goals you are hoping to achieve.

You may find that your psychologist will ask more questions than usual – this isn’t to interrogate, but simply to understand your situation and goals for therapy in service of planning a treatment that will best work for YOU.

This is a collaborative process between you and your psychologist and will likely evolve over the course of therapy.

The number of sessions is up to you and your needs. There is no one size fits all, and this is something that you will plan with your psychologist, and then reassess as you go.

Some people only need or want one session, or just a handful of sessions to speak about a specific issue in their life, or talk through a particular concern, or to provide a space for self-development and growth.

Other people may come to therapy to understand and work through long-standing patterns or issues, which may require short to medium term assistance (e.g., 6-10 sessions), or assistance of an extended period (10+ sessions, possible over a few years).

It is important to remember that every person has a different journey and reason for seeking therapy. The ball is always in your court as to how many sessions you attend.

Please note that the Medicare better Access Scheme provides rebates for up to 10 sessions per calendar year with a psychologist when referred by your GP under a Mental Health Care Plan.

If you have a Mental Health Care Plan, please discuss this with your psychologist to work out the session frequency that best fits your needs. This is something that can be reviewed as the treatment progresses.