Find a Therapist in Newcastle

Kristen Fraser | Psychological Strategies | Newcastle Therapist

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Looking to find a therapist in Newcastle can feel overwhelming. There are lots of clinicians to choose from and finding the right fit can start with asking yourself a few simple questions to narrow it down. If you're not sure where to start, use these Finding a Therapist in Newcastle tips.

Why Do People Seek Therapy?

There are many reasons people seek therapy from treatment for a mental health condition through to personal growth and a space to reflect. To help you find a therapist that meets your needs, consider what kind of therapy you are looking for, it can help to ask yourself the following questions:

Am I looking for:

• Support with a mental health condition such as anxiety, depression or PTSD

  
  

• Support with neurodivergence such as autism or adult ADHD

  
  

• Life challenges or transitions (new job, becoming a parent, finishing university, retirement, the loss of a relationship or loved one, relationship separation/divorce, ageing parents, a medical diagnosis or traumatic event, parenting as children grow into adolescents, menopause)

  
  

• Improving relationships (with yourself or with others, navigating new relationships or boundaries within existing relationships)

  
  

• Personal growth (in order to gain self awareness, develop new skills and a space to reflect)

If you are looking for therapy treatment for a mental health condition, this article on how to choose a mental health professional is a good overview of different kinds of therapists and their training and professional bodies. The article looks at the difference between counsellors, psychologists, psychotherapists and Accredited Mental Health Social Workers.

In addition, if you are looking to find a therapist in Newcastle for a mental health condition, you may be eligible for a Mental Health Care Plan.

What Type of Therapy?

The type of therapy can be based on the presenting issue, for example, CBT is widely recognised as evidence-based talk therapy treatment for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.

Additionally, personal preferences and previous experiences and responses with different talk therapy approaches tried in the past are also a consideration and may influence therapist choice. Knowing the therapeutic approach can be another way to find a therapist that is a good fit for you and help to narrow down the search.

Am I looking for:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Interpersonal Therapy (ITP)

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Schema Therapy

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

• Mindfulness and Relaxation Strategies

• Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Psychoeducation

• Skills Training

• Narrative Therapy

• Motivational Interviewing

Support or Solutions Therapist?

Another consideration for finding a therapist is the kind of style of therapist. This can be hard to tell from a website bio or Psychology Today listing, so it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions first from the below list. You might send an email inquiry to a few therapists and ask for more information once you are clearer on your needs and what you are looking for.

Am I looking for:

• concrete tangible action items I could try outside of therapy?

• ideas on ways to improve a situation

• curious questions about why I may have felt that way about a particular situation which leads to interesting reflections and insights

• exercises to assist with emotional responses

• to feel empowered or reflective or have an aha-moment after the session has ended

• specific clinical expertise for a mental health condition

• specific skills and experience in a life transition

• someone who will primarily listen

• someone who actively problem solves

• someone who assists with perspective shifting

• a new insight around how patterns in my past or present may be influencing my stress levels

• a new technique to try

• learning more about something or improve something

• time management and planning tools

• self advocacy tools

• fostering healthy relationships with myself or others

• time management and planning tools

• self advocacy tools

• fostering healthy relationships with myself and others

• rituals to assist with transitions

The Best Way to Find a Therapist

 The best way to find a therapist is by looking at online listings, send some online inquiries or make some phone calls and make an appointment. Do allow 1-3 sessions with a new therapist to build rapport and get past the initial history taking appointments, but if at any time you don't feel comfortable with your therapist, then change.

Ending With a Therapist

People may change therapists for a variety of reasons, finding a good fit is very important to build trust and feel supported to make changes. If you have had a few sessions with a new therapist and still don't feel it is the right fit, then change. Do let your therapist know, it can be as simple as an email advising that you no longer wish to continue. Mental Health Professionals want the best for clients and are supportive of you finding the therapist that best suits your needs and therapy style.

Finding a Therapist in Newcastle Tips

• consider your why - why are you seeking therapy?

• consider if there is a type of therapy you do or don't like

• consider the type of therapist and what they might do using the questions above

• ask your GP or trusted friends or referral service for a starting point

• check online directories and professional governing bodies

• try a therapist for a few sessions and be open to trying a different therapist if it isn't a fit

Kristen Fraser Therapist Newcastle

Kristen is an experienced Accredited Mental Health Social Worker offering evidenced based therapy face to face in Newcastle or via telehealth. Kristen is based in the central Newcastle suburb of Hamilton, NSW.

Kristen specialises in stress, depression, anxiety, burnout, grief and loss, medical diagnosis including cancer and adult ADHD, and trauma. In addition to clinical expertise in mental health conditions, Kristen also offers therapy for life transitions such as separation and divorce, medical diagnosis including cancer, transitioning through studying, working and retirement, and ageing.

Kristen works from a range of evidence-based therapeutic models including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, skills training around anger management and other emotional regulation and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

Kristen offers psychological strategies as well as tangible exercises to assist with decision making and skill building in areas such as emotional regulation, communication skills and navigating relationships. Kristen is Medicare Approved and accepts private clients seeking therapy with or without a Mental Health Care Plan.

To see more about Kristen, visit her Psychology Today listing and view Kristen's video.

Want to work with Kristen?

It's never been easier to begin working on your mental wellbeing goals with Kristen. Kristen accepts online bookings for face to face or telehealth therapy.

Still have questions? Read the Frequently Asked Questions or her Terms of Service and Confidentiality.

Need more information? Send Kristen an email: kristenfrasercounselling@gmail.com and start a conversation today.