What type of therapist should I go for?
Discover helpful insights and considerations to determine the right type of therapy for your mental health needs. Explore different therapy approaches, their benefits, and gain guidance to make an informed decision.
Depending on what type of therapy you are after, there are several different types of therapists out there. If you’re struggling to find one on your own then try enlisting the help of a mate or check Clearhead out.
1. Counsellor
A well-trained counsellor will facilitate change through listening and helping you see what’s happening to you. Counsellors are generally less focused on giving advice than some therapists.
They do not have to be registered with government, so ensure that any counsellor you are considering is registered with an association that is monitoring their competence. The largest association is the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). All counsellors found on Clearhead are registered with an Association.
2. Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists provide an opportunity to understand who you are and how to make sense of your experiences and relationships to others. They generally seek to understand the effect of early trauma and relationships. This approach can take time, but it can be worth it to heal deep wounds from your past.
They must be registered by the government through The Psychotherapists Board of Aotearoa New Zealand. All psychotherapists found on Clearhead are registered.
3. Psychologist
Psychologists listen and seek to make sense of people’s emotional and psychological problems. They offer practical tools to help people make change in their lives and support the processing of underlying trauma through supporting the modification of unhelpful belief systems.
A Clinical Psychologist has specialist training in mental health through a university programme that involves internships with different clinics. Not all psychologists are clinical psychologist.
Psychologists must be registered through the New Zealand Psychologists Board and hold a current Annual Practicing certificate. All psychologists found on Clearhead are registered with a current certificate.
4. Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors who primarily prescribe medications and work with patients on medication management over a course of treatment. Some Psychiatrists also offer talking therapy, but it is less common and generally an expensive option. Most psychiatrists will require a referral from your general practitioner (GP) to be seen.
They must be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
Find the right fit for you
Clearhead connects you to therapists based on your preferences and you can search for those that specialises in your particular challenge e.g. relationship difficulties.
It is really important to find a therapist who is the right fit for you because talking therapy works a lot better when you feel a strong connection to the person supporting you.
1. Try using the Find a Therapist feature on Clearhead, ask friends and family for recommendations, or do your own independent research.
2. It’s important to consider specialty when looking at the different types of therapists available. Some therapists focus on certain age groups and specific areas of mental health, such as anxiety, depression, pain, addiction etc. It can be useful to find someone who focuses on the specific challenges you are facing, but it’s not absolutely necessary if you’re not sure what speciality is appropriate.
3. Narrow down your possibilities and you can also give each therapist a brief call to ask a few questions. It’s easier to judge your fit with someone when you talk to them over the phone. Keep in mind that most therapists have a waitlist, so it’s useful to have a few options lined up. Or you can check out their real-time availability on Clearhead.
4. If the fit doesn’t feel right in the first session then try another therapist. You don’t need to justify this to them, if they’re a good therapist then they should understand the importance of your connection with them.
Book it in
Now all you have to do is book in your first session and show up on time. This is really easy on Clearhead, all you have to do is select the therapist you want to see, find a time that is available that suits you, and you can book the therapy appointment online on the therapist's Clearhead profile page.
It can be a little anxiety provoking to go see a therapist at first, but the more you open up the more they can help you. The therapist is there to help you and will put you at ease in a comfortable setting once you've arrived. If you are not able to see your therapist in person, Clearhead also offers therapy delivered securely online.
Remember, it’s important to trust the process as sometimes things can get harder before they get better. Good luck on your healing journey!
