What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is a university-trained health professional who has studied human behaviour. Psychologists are experts in the ways people think, feel, behave and learn.

What do psychologists do?

Psychologists use various therapies and approaches to help people:

• explore where their difficulties come from and why they’re dealing with these difficulties now
• understand the thoughts, behaviour and emotions that might be causing their difficulties
• find better ways of coping with their difficulties or managing parts of their lives
• improve their performance, health and learning.

Psychologists don’t prescribe medicines. They’ll refer you or your child to a GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician for this kind of support.

Who do psychologists work with?

Most psychologists work directly with people who are dealing with mental, behavioural or emotional difficulties – for example, when someone has anxiety or depression or is experiencing stress. They also work with people who are going through challenges in life, like parenting or relationship difficulties.

What training do psychologists have?

Psychologists train and specialise in various areas, including counselling, educational or developmental psychology, sports psychology, clinical psychology and so on.

Where do psychologists work?

Psychologists work in many places including community mental health services, public and private hospitals, private clinics, schools, research organisations and private companies.

How a psychologist can help your child

A psychologist can help your child with:

• grief, trauma or other issues
• assessment for learning difficulties, ADHD or autism, challenging behaviour or social-emotional challenges
• mental health issues like childhood depression, teenage depression, childhood anxiety, teenage anxiety or teenage stress
• eating disorders or body image issues
• relationship difficulties with family members or peers
• sleeping, eating or toileting difficulties
• rehabilitation after brain injury or stroke.

If your child has health, development or wellbeing concerns, health professionals like psychologists are there to care for your child and help you understand your child’s condition and treatment. With the support and expertise of these professionals, you can help your child thrive.

How a psychologist can help you as a parent

A psychologist can help you with:

• feelings of low mood, anxiety or depression
• irritability, anger, distress, emotional numbness or disconnection from others
• difficulty coping with stress, life transitions, parenting or traumatic events
• the effects of past events on your life
• eating or body image difficulties
• relationship issues or difficulties in the workplace.

You don't need a GP referral to see a psychologist, but the GP is always a good place to start if you’re worried about yourself or your child. Your GP can help you decide about seeing a psychologist and help you find someone suitable. You can also go to Australian Psychological Society – Find a psychologist and Australian Clinical Psychology Association – Find a clinical psychologist.

What to do before you or your child sees a psychologist

Before seeing a psychologist, it’s a good idea to find out about things like the following:

• Why you’re going – talk with your GP about why you think you or your child needs to see a psychologist.
• Appointments – do you need to make the appointment, or will the GP make it for you? Does the appointment need to be in person, or can it be via telehealth?
• Waiting lists – how long before you can get an appointment to see the psychologist?
• Is there anything you can do while you’re waiting for the appointment? For example, is there anything you can do at home to help your child?
• Type of therapy – how will the psychologist work with you or your child?
• Costs – how much will the appointment with the psychologist cost? You might be able to get a mental health treatment plan through your GP, which gives you Medicare rebates for up to 10 mental health services sessions a year. You might also be able to get private health insurance or other rebates.
• Locations – find out where you have to go to see the psychologist – for example, a public or private hospital, or consulting rooms.
• What to bring to the appointment – for example, you might need to bring your child’s referral letter, school reports or assessments from other specialists like speech pathologists.
• Qualifications – psychologists in Australia must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This means they’ve met all requirements to work as a psychologist in Australia.

You can ask your GP about these things and any other questions before your child sees the psychologist. You could also ask the psychologist’s clinic when you make the appointment. It’s a good idea to write down your questions, so you don’t forget.

If you’re concerned about your or your child’s mental health or behaviour, get immediate professional support. You can speak to your GP or call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. Your child can speak to someone at Kids Helpline by calling 1800 551 800. You can also go to the nearest hospital emergency department.