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Therapy involves meeting with a mental health professional to explore behaviour patterns, attitudes, beliefs, emotions, relationships and experiences which may be problematic or causing distress. The therapist provides a safe space where clients can discuss their innermost feelings and experiences without judgement. This exploration assists the client to gain deeper insight into who they are and why they behave the way they do, as well as building healthier coping skills and tools to navigate life’s challenges. Through enhanced awareness, support and guidance, therapy can help people live healthier, more rewarding lives.

Therapy sessions usually last between 50 minutes to one hour and the frequency of sessions can vary from once weekly to once monthly depending on how much support clients feel they need at that point in their lives. Such practical agreements can be discussed during the ongoing process of therapy.

The first session is a mutual assessment session, where both the client and therapist have a chance to explore whether it would be beneficial to embark on the therapeutic journey, and whether the fit between therapist and client is a good one. Usually, clients communicate what they would like to achieve through therapy, and together with the therapist, they assess whether therapy would be right for them. There is no obligation to continue therapy after the first session and the client is in complete control of their therapeutic process.

Therapy is a safe place to discuss anything that is worrying or bothering you, without fear of judgement or blame. There is no problem too big or too small to discuss with your therapist. Since therapy is also very much about self-growth and living a healthier, more rewarding life, the therapist would want to know more about you and your life. For those clients who may find it hard to open up, or feel unsure what they should discuss, the therapist will guide and support you in this process.

Psychologists, psychotherapists, family therapists and counsellors do not prescribe medication, although you may be able to discuss this with your therapist and be referred to a Psychiatrist who may suggest prescription medication.

All of these mental health professionals study and apply psychology in order to help clients lead healthy lives, with an emphasis on relieving psychologically-based issues or distress. Clinicians in the mental health field are trained in a wide range of modalities, with the goal of identifying and working through difficulties in the client’s life. The major difference between Psychologists and Counsellors, Family Therapists and Psychotherapists is that Psychologists may carry out psychological testing. Psychologists may utilise Personality or Educational assessments as part of the therapeutic process since these tests inform the Psychologist on the most effective treatment for their clients.