Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Finding the best psychologist near you is a very personal decision and will depend on your circumstances.

At Elevate Psychologists, our clinical psychologists in Sydney CBD strive to provide the highest level of care to all our patients in a confidential and safe manner.

Our primary Sydney clinical psychologist Vyda S Chai has more than 20 years international experience and has helped numerous adults and children overcome their challenges and improve their quality of life. You can find more about her by clicking here.

Elevate Psychologists Sydney can provide you professional clinical psychologist support and guidance to address various mental health concerns and emotional issues. Our Sydney clinical psychologists utilise evidence-based techniques and interventions to help you develop coping strategies, gain insights, and work towards positive change and personal growth to improve quality of life.

See our blog post on mental well being here. 

If you are experiencing persistent emotional distress, difficulty functioning, or if your mental health is impacting your daily life, relationships, or overall well-being, it may be beneficial to see a clinical psychologist at Elevate Psychologists Sydney.

Our Sydney psychologists can help assess your concerns and determine the most appropriate treatment options for you, including psychotherapy and counselling, amongst others.

See our blog post on finding professional help for mental health here. 

At Elevate Psychologists Sydney, our clinical psychologist treat a wide range of issues such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, ADHD, OCD, grief, addiction, self-esteem issues, and many others.

Our Sydney psychologists have expertise in various areas and can tailor treatment plans to suit your individual needs.

Yes, clinical psychologists at Elevate Psychologists Sydney often work with children and teenagers. Our psychologists are very experienced in child and adolescent psychology and use age-appropriate therapeutic techniques to address their unique needs.

Parental involvement is typically encouraged to support the child’s progress.

See our blog posts on child psychologists in Sydney here and here.

Yes, psychologists in Australia are required to be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). They must adhere to professional standards, ongoing professional development, and ethical guidelines to ensure the quality and safety of their practice.

All of Elevate Psychologists Sydney practitioners are registered with AHPRA and Medicare eligible. 

Psychologists adhere to strict professional guidelines regarding confidentiality. Sessions at Elevate Psychologists Sydney are considered strictly confidential, and your personal information is kept private. However, there are some exceptions to the confidentiality arrangements, such as if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others.

You may ask your psychologist to clarify confidentiality arrangements during the first session.

In Australia, a counsellor and a psychologist are both professionals who provide mental health support, but there are differences in their qualifications and scope of practice.

A counsellor typically holds a diploma or bachelor’s degree in counselling or a related field. They focus on providing guidance, support, and helping individuals explore their feelings and concerns. Counsellors often work with individuals facing common life challenges, relationship issues, or personal growth goals. They may utilize various therapeutic techniques but generally have a more limited scope of practice compared to psychologists.

Psychologists in Australia have completed a minimum of six years of university training, including a master’s or doctoral degree in psychology. They are experts in human behavior, assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Psychologists work with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or addiction. They can conduct formal psychological assessments, diagnose disorders, and provide specialized therapy tailored to individual needs.

While both counsellors and psychologists offer counseling and support, psychologists have a broader scope of practice and often work with more complex mental health issues. They are trained in psychological assessment and can provide formal diagnoses, which is not within the scope of practice for most counsellors. Psychologists are also more likely to have training in specific therapeutic modalities and may work in a variety of settings, including private practice, hospitals, or research institutions.

Choosing between a counsellor and a psychologist depends on the specific needs and severity of the mental health concern. Counsellors are often appropriate for individuals seeking guidance or support in everyday life challenges, whereas psychologists are suitable for those requiring assessment, diagnosis, and more specialized therapy for clinical disorders. It’s essential to consider the qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise when selecting the most appropriate mental health professional.

In Australia, a psychologist refers to a broad term encompassing professionals with various levels of education and training in psychology. They may hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in psychology. Psychologists assess and treat mental health concerns through counseling, therapy, and psychological interventions.

On the other hand, a clinical psychologist in Australia has completed a doctoral or masters degree in clinical psychology, which involves specialized training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. Clinical psychologists possess advanced knowledge and skills in providing evidence-based therapies for a wide range of psychological issues.

The key difference lies in the level of education and training. While both psychologists and clinical psychologists can offer therapy and counseling, clinical psychologists have undergone more extensive education and clinical experience, enabling them to handle complex mental health conditions. They are qualified to perform psychological assessments, provide formal diagnoses, and offer specialized therapeutic interventions.

Choosing between a psychologist and a clinical psychologist depends on the severity and complexity of the mental health concern. Clinical psychologists are often sought when there is a need for a comprehensive assessment or treatment of clinical disorders. However, psychologists with lower levels of training can still provide valuable support for milder or more common mental health issues.

See are blog post for more information here.

In Australia, clinical psychologists have completed a doctoral or masters degree in psychology and focus on providing psychotherapy. They assess, diagnose, and treat various mental health conditions using evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Clinical psychologists help individuals develop coping strategies, address emotional difficulties, and promote personal growth.

On the other hand, psychiatrists in Australia are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. They have completed medical school and undertake specialized training in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are qualified to diagnose mental disorders and can prescribe medication to address biological factors contributing to mental health conditions. They also provide psychotherapy, although their primary focus tends to be on the pharmacological treatment of mental illnesses.

While both clinical psychologists and psychiatrists play crucial roles in the mental health field, their approaches differ due to their distinct training backgrounds. Clinical psychologists emphasize psychotherapy as the primary mode of treatment, whereas psychiatrists bring a medical perspective and often use a combination of medication and therapy in their practice. Collaboration between these professionals is common to provide comprehensive care, with clinical psychologists offering therapy and psychiatrists overseeing medication management when necessary. The choice between the two depends on individual needs, preferences, and the nature of the mental health concern.

Find out more about clinical psychologists in our blog post here. 

Contact Elevate Psychologists Sydney. Our clinic is conveniently located Sydney CBD. If you cannot make it into the city, we can arrange for consultations via telehealth. Alternatively, you can find other psychologists near you by searching through the APS Find a Psychologist directory.