What is Psychology?
Psychology is the study of human behaviour and mental processes by observing, recording and interpreting how people relate to each other and their environment. It is an important tool for gaining insight into the thoughts, feelings and emotions of people, and how all of these contribute to what they say and do. From the Greek word "psyche", which means human soul, mind and spirit, psychology is used to analyse people's responses to different situations and help them address unhealthy behaviours so that they can achieve their goals.
How Does Psychology Work?
A psychologist is a health professional who is trained to analyse, understand and explain human thoughts, feelings, emotions and behaviour. They use different techniques, depending on the matter at hand, to develop theories regarding a person's feelings and beliefs that affect their actions. Some of these techniques include observation, assessment and experimentation.
Different therapeutic approaches come into play during a consultation with a psychologist, and these include psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Personality, aptitude, intelligence or performance tests are also carried out to validate a theory or get a clear picture of where the patient's issue stems from.
Qualified psychologists can provide emotional support, advice and strategies to help a person overcome any personal or professional issues. Based on the issues that are being dealt with, a specific type of psychologist is recommended to help the person during their treatment. Below is a list of the types of psychologists available based on their specialization and expertise:
- Applied Behavior Analyst
- Child Psychologist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Community Psychologist
- Consumer Psychologist
- Developmental Psychologist
- Educational Psychologist
- Engineering Psychologist
- Forensic Psychologist
- Geropsychologist
- Health Psychologist
- Industrial or Organizational Psychologist
- Media Psychologist
- Military Psychologist
- Neuropsychologist
- Rehabilitation Psychologist
- School Psychologist
- Social Psychologist
- Spiritual Psychologist
- Sport Psychologist
- Transpersonal Psychologist
What are the Benefits of Psychology?
Mental health is often left unchecked. When a person's mental health begins to feel incoherent, it could be a sign that it's time to see a psychologist. Consulting with a psychologist offers several benefits as they can help in the treatment and management of different mental, physical, emotional and behavioural conditions, including the following:
- Grief and loss
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Phobias
- Insomnia rooted in psychological factors
- Family and relationship issues
- Unhealthy habits and addictions
- Performance enhancement
- Brain fog
- Mental disorders
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Weight problems
- Developmental and learning disabilities
- Chronic conditions
- Emotional disturbances
- Communication barriers
What Can You Expect From Psychology?
An appointment with a psychologist can last 45 minutes to an hour. In the first 10 to 15 minutes, the practitioner will ask how you are feeling, what's bothering you, what you wish to achieve from the session and what goals you want to work on. Despite being a stranger to you, a psychologist won't feel like one. During the session, you will feel that you can speak openly without the fear of being criticised or judged.
A psychologist is trained to maintain patient confidentiality, so whatever you share will be strictly kept within their records. If you don't like the idea of sitting face-to-face with a practitioner in the same room, you may opt for an online consultation. Many certified psychologists in Australia deliver their services through the internet to reach more people who need their help. There's no difference between a remote and an in-person consultation as both offer the same benefits.
Every psychologist tailors their treatment plan to the specific problem of each client to make sure that they reach their goals. It may involve some self-care exercises or homework to ensure their continuous progress in any challenging area of their life. Some people might need only a couple of treatment sessions to get the results they want, while those with deep-seated problems could require more.
Is Psychology Safe?
Psychology is safe for anyone who wishes to renew their perspective on life and learn new coping skills to address stressful and challenging situations. Everyone, from children to the elderly, will benefit from seeing a psychologist and see a significant improvement in different areas of their life.
