What can I expect when I visit a psychologist?

It can be pretty daunting to take those first few steps towards healthy mental health. One of the very first things you will face is a psychologist’s appointment. Maybe you already have a vague idea about what to expect from a psychologist’s visit. Maybe you have seen them in tv shows or movies. But you don't know EXACTLY what goes on inside a psychologist’s office.

This article will help answer the question, "What can I expect when I visit a psychologist?"

Who is a psychologist?

A psychologist is a mental health practitioner who holds a doctoral degree in Psychology. Their study is focused on the human mind and the external factors affecting it. A psychologist is qualified to help you evaluate your emotional and behavioral patterns. Ultimately a psychologist will help guide you through your thought processes to help navigate daily life with more ease.

Unlike a counselor, who will help achieve overall mental wellness, a psychologist will target specific problems and treat them individually. A psychologist’s approach with treating the problems is more scientific than a counselor’s.

Why do I need a psychologist?

You might be in need of a psychologist for a variety of reasons.

• If you are going through a period of emotional turmoil and need professional intervention to help ground you or help you process your thoughts and emotions, you might need a psychologist.
• If you are going through big life changes- like getting married, shifting houses, losing a loved one, etc.- and can’t put a finger on the various emotions running through your head, you might need a psychologist.
• If you have been feeling sad for some time, and you can’t pinpoint why then you might need the help of a psychologist to find a reason.

Frequently, a psychologist will work in conjunction with a doctor or psychiatrist to help deliver the best treatment plan suited to one’s needs.

What to expect from a Psychologist’s visit?

Just like the first visit to a new doctor, the first few visits to your psychologist might be used to get to know you better.

Here are a few things you should expect from a visit to your psychologist.

• Your psychologist may need to gauge your background. They may do this by asking you about your current occupation, your family background, your current concerns, and so on.
• You should take this opportunity to ask your psychologist plenty of questions. You can ask them about what approach they plan on taking with you or how many sessions they think it might take to help resolve your issues.
• You should also take the first few sessions to figure out if your current psychologist is a good fit for you or not.
• You should be comfortable with your Psychologist. Ideally, in a session with your psychologist, you should be able to share your problems, and your psychologist should use their professional experience to guide you towards a resolution.
• Your psychologist should also be judgment-free and not make you feel bad about having the thoughts you are having.

Final thoughts

Making mental health your priority should always be lauded. No matter what you are going through, a mental health professional can help you deal with it in a healthy way so that you live life to the fullest. To take the first steps towards better mental health, connect with Healthy Minds. We are a private practice in irving, tx, area who can help you with your mental distress. We specialize in diagnosing and assessing mental health issues for people of all age groups. We also work in conjunction with our referral sources to make sure to get you the most comprehensive treatment plans. Contact us to start off on your mental health journey.