Car in need of a service? Book in the mechanic. Teeth feeling a bit furry? Take a trip to the dentist. Dealing with a whole lot of difficult stuff that is causing you stress and affecting your mood? The answer should be simple, but unfortunately there are many reasons we avoid seeing a psychologist.
It’s a little bit awkward
Most of us are somewhat guarded. We don’t go about revealing our tightly held thoughts and feelings or divulging our deepest concerns. We may also be wary of exposing our emotional side, conditioned to hold it all together, rather than ever release what we are feeling in front of another.
Fortunately, psychologists provide an extremely safe space to explore what’s really going on. Trained to hold those they are working with in unconditional positive regard, a good psychologist will help allay any initial awkwardness, providing a judgement-free space to work on whatever worries we may have.
When we are brave enough to share what’s happening in our inner world with someone who is really listening, it can feel particularly liberating. It takes a weight off and can allow us to start directing our focus toward what will deliver positive change.
We’ve found other temporary mood boosters
When difficult stuff appears, one very common way of dealing with it is by not really dealing with it at all. Instead of sitting with any uncomfortable emotions, we may try to push them away and substitute them with something that feels more pleasant.
Almost all of us have avoidant coping strategies. We may binge Netflix, scroll endlessly, train for an Iron Man triathlon, shop, gamble, drink or overeat. While such strategies may bring temporary highs, they will never address underlying issues. What resists, persists and our avoidance strategies can lead to much bigger problems later on.
Seeing a psychologist can help us address the root cause and also equips us with a range of coping strategies that are far healthier and more sustainable.
We’re inclined to go it alone
Getting a regular ‘check-up from the neck up’ is a rather practical form of mind maintenance. Almost half of us will experience a mental health condition at some point. Almost all of us will experience significant life challenges, such as work stress, separation, financial difficulty, carer responsibilities and bereavement. While professional support can be hugely helpful during difficult times, many of us still treat going to a psychologist very differently to how we treat going to the dentist.
Cultural conditioning may have developed expectations that we remain tough, stoic and get by without assistance from others. We may look at receiving therapy as some admission of failure, rather than what it really is – very practical, proactive resourcing.
Attempting to go it alone can set ourselves up for even greater struggle. Unfortunately, many people will not reach out until they reach a crisis point, while others will not reach out at all. It’s important to remember that seeking support from others is our oldest resilience strategy. It’s also one of the most effective.
It’s expensive and hard to access
Just like the mechanic or the dentist, a visit to the psychologist may not be cheap. To help cut the cost, Australians can access Medicare rebates. To do so, simply ask your GP for a mental health plan. If you are struggling to find an available psychologist near you, you may wish to explore online platforms which can make it make it far quicker and simpler to connect.
There are many other ways to access support. If your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program, it makes sense to make use of it. Across Australia, there are also a wide array of services that offer free counselling. Specialised supports are available for those dealing with family violence, gambling, eating disorders, drug and alcohol dependency, plus many other issues. You will also find services specifically dedicated to youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, LGBTQI+, CALD, Carers and many other groups. Industry or occupation specific supports may also be available.
Our mental health is fundamental to how we live and experience the world. Psychological therapy can help us make peace with what has gone before, successfully navigate what we are now dealing with and provide strategies to help us sustain good mental health when faced with future challenges. While it may not always be cheap, the outcomes of therapy can be profound, and you are more than worthy of the investment.
Want to understand what therapy is really like? Register now for our upcoming Therapy Demystified webinar, where psychologists Dr Sadhbh Joyce and Monica Schweickle will bust many myths and answer some important questions.
If you are concerned about your mental health or the mental health of another, please call Lifeline’s 24/7 support line on 13 11 14. If you are concerned about someone’s immediate safety, please contact 000.