Being in therapy is unlike any other kind of professional relationship in that the connection between you and the mental health professional needs to ‘click,’ and just because someone is a highly recommended therapist, doesn’t mean that they will necessarily be the right fit for you. If after a couple of sessions, you aren’t vibing or feeling as though you’re forming a connection with the psychologist, it’s okay to seek out a second opinion or a new mental health professional. A place to start can be researching mental health professionals in your area, or using registries like the Australian Psychological Society to filter what kind of support you are looking for.

Additionally, if you have received a Mental Health Treatment Plan, your provider may have some suggested mental health professionals that they recommend based on your experience, that are local to your area or strongly recommended from their professional network - this is another great place to start.

When seeking a second opinion, or starting fresh with a new mental health professional, it’s totally normal to ask questions about their background, their experience in dealing with patients who have had similar experiences to yours and what they will be expecting from you. It’s also okay to share with them what went well, and what didn’t from your last experience with therapy, as this can provide them a guide on what different experiences to offer, and what you need to get the most out of your sessions.

Therapy will most likely be unique to any other appointment that you have gone to before, as it requires an active participation role and primarily focuses on you. It’s also important to remember that therapy is not a reciprocal relationship like a friend might provide, rather a space that is focused only on you and your experiences that you would like to share.

A psychologist or mental health professional is also not able to “fix” your problems - their role is primarily to help you navigate your own emotions and experiences, by helping you confront issues you may be having, helping you to shift your mindset, or figuring out healthy coping mechanisms. Managing these expectations and reframing your therapy sessions as an experience for you and your own wellbeing can help get the most from your sessions.

There are many different types of therapy, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and many more. A negative experience from therapy could have stemmed from the type of therapy that you received, and it not being right for you or your situation. When exploring the right mental health professional for you, it’s important to research their expertise areas, areas of practice and types of treatment that they offer so that you can get the most out of therapy. Their bio on the website of their practice is a great place to explore what mental health professional will be right for you.

Outside of traditional 1:1 therapy, there are many other ways in which you can access help from mental health professionals, such as group therapy or art therapy, along with various ways that you can access support such as online forums, texting, or over the phone. 

If you do have a negative experience, especially one where you’ve been vulnerable, it can be helpful to talk to a trusted friend or family member about it, or write about it on paper - this can help you process the feelings in a healthy way. This can look like practising mindfulness techniques, engaging in hobbies you enjoy, or spending time with supportive and trusted friends or family. 

Although most mental health professionals work in the field with the intention and desire to help others, unfortunately this isn’t always the case. If you have had a therapy experience that has resulted in poor handling of confidential information, dishonesty or money mismanagement, if you feel comfortable, express your concerns and feedback directly to the mental health professional or the organisation they represent. Constructive feedback can help improve their services for others.

Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable approaching the mental health professional or organisation, you can raise issues to AHPRA so that they can be handled further. Reports of any level, including criminal offences, can be made anonymously through online submission or over the phone at any time.