How to Find a Good Hypnotherapist, Psychologist or Counselor in Melbourne
There is a good chance you’re reading this article, because you have done one of these three things in your search for a good counsellor, hypnotherapist or psychologist in Melbourne:
1.You have trawled the internet and found yourself overwhelmed with all the potentially good Hypnotherapists in Melbourne.
2.You have tried a Hypnotherapist or two in Melbourne and not quite “clicked”. Now you feel confused as to how to find someone suitable.
3.You are not sure what to look for – perhaps you’re confused about what you need help for exactly or you don’t know what differs between counselors, psychologists and hypnotherapists.
Before we get started in helping you in your search for a good hypnotherapist, counselor or psychologist in Melbourne, it’s important to clear two things up. First, there are a lot of hypnotherapists, counselors and psychologists in Melbourne!
Currently, it’s estimated that there are over 1000 hypnotherapists and over 6000 psychologists in Melbourne. Second, there are a lot of good hypnotherapists, counselors and psychologists, however, they each differ in their areas of expertise, life experience and style.
Also, since the pandemic, there has been a steep increase in mental health problems. The number of psychologists available has not been able to meet demand, causing a mental health crisis with wait times of up to 12 months to see a psychologist, and emergency departments overflowing with distressed patients - this is where hypnotherapists can help out, as adjunct practitioners .
Six things to consider when looking for a good psychologist, counselor or hypnotherapist in Melbourne
For a counsellor, psychologist or hypnotherapist to be good for you, they need to make you feel comfortable, cared for and show you they understand your unique struggles. You also should walk away from the session feeling hopeful that you’ll be able achieve positive change and confident in your therapists’ abilities.
There are six main things to consider in your search when looking for a good hypnotherapist, counselor or psychologist in Melbourne.
1.Their individual qualities
For progress to be made in therapy, your counselor, psychologist or hypnotherapist needs to possess the following qualities:
Being able to empathise.
Empathy is an ability to understand and care about another person’s struggles without suffering alongside them.
Be warm, comforting and genuine in their approach.
Have training, skills and experience in the area you are seeking help for (more on this below).
2.Your specific needs
It is important that your Hypnotherapist has worked with people before who have experienced similar difficulties (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma).If you’re struggling to identify what your needs are, ask yourself: If you could remove a particular distress in your life, what would it be? The answer to this question is probably what you are seeking help for.
3.Location or convenience
When finding a suitable counselor, hypnotherapist or psychologist for you, it’s important to consider the location of the practice if you are seeking a face to face appointment, and the convenience of accessing the therapy.
This is very important, because if it is not convenient to see your hypnotherapist or psychologist, you will most likely cancel or miss appointments. Over time this will greatly affect your therapy outcomes. Consider location, hours, and hypnotherapists availability when searching for a counsellor or hypnotherapist in Melbourne.
4.Things to look for
A lot of clinics offer a matching session for the first appointment, where you meet with a psychologist or intake worker to then be matched with another therapist or psychologist. Personally, I think you are better trying your Hypnotherapist for the first session and deciding whether they are right for you. This saves money and time.It is also important to ensure your hypnotherapist has experience in the area you are seeking help for and you “click” with them. Private practices tend to book clients in with psychologists that are currently available, as opposed to who is most suited. I believe it is better to wait for the right hypnotherapist, therapist or psychologist, then to settle for an earlier appointment. However, keep in mind this may be irrelevant in situations where you urgently need support with deteriorating mental health.
5.The personal ‘must-haves’
In finding a counselor, hypnotherapist or psychologist, you may have some things that really matter to you.
For example, you may not feel comfortable with someone much older than you or you may prefer a male over a female. If you also do not like a certain personality type in your personal life, chances are you may not like this personality in a psychologist, counselor or hypnotherapist.
For example, if you dislike people who are very direct and structured, you are likely to feel uncomfortable with a counselor or hypnotherapist who approaches therapy in this way.
The pandemic mental health crisis
The pandemic has caused a steep increase in mental health problems. And there are currently not enough psychologists to service the community.
This means there are long wait times to see psychologists and counselors or hypnotherapists might be more available.
If you cannot wait long for a psychologist in the public system, it may be worth finding a counselor or a hypnotherapist, as these might have shorter waiting times, and you could request Telehealth or video sessions rather than in-person appointments.
What is the difference between Psychology, Hypnotherapy and Counselling?
There are several differences between psychology, hypnotherapy and counseling.
A psychologist studies for many years and has comparatively less experience outside of university life than other therapists. Psychologist are trained to be analysing you from a perspective of what pathologies they can find with your mind. They use talk therapy and many other therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help you overcome your issues. The approach is mainly problem focused and works for some people. It mostly relies on you to cognitively overcome your challenges, however this can become tricky when automatic triggers occur, as these often sit in the body and unconscious mind, for example as a result of trauma or conditioning. Hence many people struggle to overcome their mental health challenges through reasoning or using willpower.
A counselor is most often trained to provide brief and solution-focused interventions, along with talking with you about what might be troubling you. Counsellors come from all walks of life and bring their rich life experience into the therapy as well.
Hypnotherapy is a very effective and solution-focused way of creating positive change in your mind and in your life by gaining access to the part of your mind that stores automatic processes and re-actions and behaviours.
There is also some counselling involved, as the hypnotherapist first needs to learn about the nature and history of the things you want to change. However, they won’t expect you to use willpower or change your thinking using willpower, as they know that a lot of the patterns of “thinking” have been laid down in your past and have been automated, so will power won’t help in changing these. This is why often people feel that their emotions and even some of their actions seem “out of control”. A hypnotherapist can help you take back control over these emotions and actions, by finding and resolving the root cause.
Three simple steps to find the right counsellor, psychologist or hypnotherapist
With the above considerations in mind, here are three simple steps to finding a good psychologist, counsellor or hypnotherapist in Melbourne:
Search for counsellor, psychologists or hypnotherapist who are accessible, experienced and available.
When you make contact with the practice, ask the following:
Who are the most experienced therapists in the area you need help with (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma)?
What type of work experience do they have in this area?
Do they have any reviews about treating similar conditions or issues?
How would you describe the psychologist’s client engagement? Look for descriptors like “helpful”, “excellent”, “experienced”. This question helps you ascertain if the Hypnotherapist is empathic and warm - it’s always best to speak to them directly, to see if they are the right fit.
If you’re comfortable with the answers you have received, you can confidently make a booking.
How does SelfEvolution Hypnotherapy in Melbourne welcome new clients?
Our therapist will discuss directly with you over phone or email what your needs are. This is free.
If our services don’t suit your needs, we offer recommendations outside of our practice.
Finding a hypnotherapist or counselor in Melbourne
In Melbourne, psychologists are very busy due to the mental health crisis caused by the pandemic.
This means you may face long wait times and will need to be flexible with aspects of arranging an appointment.
When it comes to the best way to find an alternative to psychology in Melbourne, you should keep a few things in mind:
It is important that you like your therapist, counselor, hypnotherapist or psychologist!
This sounds simple, yet it’s often undervalued or ignored. For therapy to work well, the relationship needs to be strong with your therapist. You build a sense of trust with them through your initial conversation with them.
Therefore, you need to consider your personal preferences when selecting a Hypnotherapist near you.
Counselling and Hypnotherapy In Melbourne
Most of us think of clinical hypnotherapy in quite a general sense: As professionals who work with people struggling with mental health issues.
However, the fact that someone is a clinical hypnotherapist does not mean they can help with everything related to mental health – many professionals, for example, do not possess the training and experience required to help clients overcome specialised areas of treatment like eating disorders, PTSD or phobias.
Do some research of your own online to find hypnotherapists in Melbourne who have focused their training and experience in the area you are seeking professional help.
Consider and understand your personal preferences
Even if there is a local Hypnotherapist experienced in treating your mental health difficulty, you should also consider your personal preferences. For example, if you’re a woman suffering from low self-esteem and body image issues, you may feel more comfortable discussing these things with a therapist who is also female. It’s so important that you feel comfortable and ‘click’ with the hypnotherapist or counsellor you’re working with.
At SelfEvolution Hypnotherapy Melbourne we offer an initial free consultation when you call to make your appointment. We consider your needs and personality and discuss with you if we might be the most suitable hypnotherapist at our clinic or refer you elsewhere if we know someone more suitable.
We also recommend other therapists, counselors or psychologists outside of our clinic if we don’t think we’re the right fit for you. We want to help you find the best therapist, counselor or hypnotherapist in Melbourne we can provide.
Is there anything that SelfEvolution Hypnotherapy does differently?
Our clinic is in South Melbourne, close to the Melbourne CBD and we not only offer you the benefits of broad and deep life experience, but also professionalism, warmth, empathy and personality.
We can treat and support people with burnout, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, pain from chronic health conditions among other conditions and struggles.
We also make sure our therapists are caring and warm, which ensures our clients feel comfortable throughout the therapy process. All of our therapists are goal-orientated in their approach to therapy and work conscientiously alongside their clients to achieve their goals.
What you can expect from a Hypnotherapist in Melbourne
Hypnotherapists are adjunct healthcare professionals dedicated to helping you achieve a better sense of well being by giving you strategies to help you cope with things in your life that are sources of distress. Hypnotherapists listen, hear you, and also provide you with support and tools to heal and live a happier life - and the process is solution-focused. Often with hypnotherapy positive change can be achieved much faster and is longer lasting than with many types of “talk therapy” alone.
You are free to talk about anything with your hypnotherapist, and the service is completely confidential. The best hypnotherapist is one that listens to you objectively (this means without making any moral judgments) and may offer you practical advice to help you find a solution to your problem, or deepen your insight into what is causing your distress.
Our practice take a holistic view of your mental health and look to improve many aspects of your life, including your relationships, mood, work/study circumstances, health and life direction.
Why it is important to seek help for your mental health struggles
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. An unhealthy mindset can affect many aspects of your life, including your sleep, relationships, enjoyment of activities, ability to concentrate and perform at work or uni or in life more generally. Despite poor mental health being a serious problem, many people often avoid getting the help they need.
Many people view their mental health struggles as something they should be able to overcome on their own without the need for professional support. However this is an outdated way of looking of mental health. Receiving anxiety counselling in Melbourne, burnout treatment or natural depression treatment for example, is not a sign of weakness at all – in fact it’s a sign of growth and expansion. It’s extremely common to struggle with your mental health at some point in your life.
In addition, speaking to a counsellor or hypnotherapist can be advantageous even when things going fairly well! Elite athletes, business leaders, politicians and actors or performers all engage in hypnotherapy services to help get the best results for themselves. We can provide you with peak performance coaching that gives you a cutting edge.
If you’d like to speak to a Hypnotherapist in Melbourne that can help, contact us today.
