Have you ever met a psychologist before? Most people I meet haven't seen a psychologist and they all have different ideas of what it is going to be like. Some people may feel worried about coming and may be angry with their parents for making them go and it can help if you know what will happen in the session. Here are some common questions that people have asked me in the past:
What does a psychologist do the first time you meet?
I will ask quite a few questions in order to understand what you need help with. I will ask what the problem is, when it started, how it started and how it is impacting on your life. I will also ask questions about your school and family and we will look at what you want to be different in your life. This information will help us decide what we need to do to deal with the problem and achieve your goals.
Does seeing a psychologist mean that you are mental?
Most people think that psychologists only see people with mental health problems. But most children and adolescents who see psychologists do not have a diagnosis of a mental illness. Most are just going through a difficult time, maybe due to their parents divorcing or being bullied at school. Or their self esteem may be low, they may feel worried or angry about things. All people experience difficult situations and emotions in their lives, but if they have been going on for a while, it can be useful to see a psychologist to help you get out of the situation.
Can psychologists read thoughts?
No, psychologists can't read thoughts but we are good at asking the right questions so that we together can work out how to resolve your problems.
How can talking about my problems help?
Some people say that just talking about your problem with someone who can take an objective view helps them think differently about their problem. Other people want a bit more help and strategies and that is why psychologists are trained in different therapies that have different ways of addressing problems. And although we may not be able to change what is going on for you (for example, parents divorcing or having a chronic illness), we can help making the experience less stressful and help you get on with your life and achieve your goals in other areas.
Will you tell my parents what we talk about?
Psychological therapy is confidential. This means that unless agreed, I will not tell your parents what you have told me. However, it is often useful for parents to know a bit about what we discuss to ensure that everyone in the family does what they can to help changing the situation, but it is up to you what you want to tell your parents. There is one exception to confidentiality, which is if you would tell me something that means that you or someone else is at risk. For example, you may have thoughts of harming yourself, or an adult may have done something that is regarded as abuse. In these situations, I would need to tell the people who can keep you safe (most often your parents) to make sure you are not harmed.
If you have any other questions you want to ask me before we meet, you can e-mail me on dr.susanna.waern@gmail.com.