ABOUT // Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED THERAPY?
Dr. Beth Sinclair
Clinical Psychologist
Sometimes, life can be challenging and overwhelming. Whilst you may have been able to cope in the past, you may be finding it difficult to do so now. If you find yourself feeling flat, sad, worried, lethargic, demotivated or fearful most of the time, therapy may be able to help you find stable ground again. In fact, it usually takes a strong person to realise they need some extra help.
WHAT IS THERAPY?
Therapy can be different depending on what your needs are. To put it simply, therapy is when a trained mental health professional supports you to cope effectively, achieve your goals and build resilience. It can also be a safe space to help you process difficult things that may have happened to you, without fear of judgement.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FIRST SESSION?
When you arrive for your first session at Sphere Psychology, Beth will conduct a clinical assessment. This comprises of two stages; the completion of several questionnaires, and a clinical interview. The questionnaires and paperwork provided to you will be to ensure you are fully informed about the process of therapy, and help Beth gain some insight into the difficulties you are experiencing. The clinical interview will be a discussion between Beth and yourself regarding why you're seeking therapy, what you're hoping to get out of it, and what you may have been experiencing lately. Taken together, this information will help Beth determine the most appropriate treatment direction for you.
HOW LONG IS A SESSION?
A session at Sphere Psychology is approximately 50 minutes. Beth will use the remaining time after you have left to plan your treatment and update your clinical record.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?
As every person and problem is unique, we can't definitively say how many sessions you may need. We do know that for many cases, 8-10 sessions may be sufficient to see some change. For trauma related difficulties or more complex problems, longer treatment is usually required. However, this is something we will discuss with you during our first two sessions, and throughout treatment. Under current Medicare provisions, individuals with a mental Health Care Plan may be eligible to access up to 20 rebated sessions per calendar year.