Psychology Wollongong

Never thinking will never make your life positive

If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of poor mental health, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists typically provide assessments as well as therapies for a wide range of mental health conditions and disorders. Psychologists may also help with more subtle concerns which fall under these broad umbrellas like avoidance, negative thoughts, aggression or anger, repetitive behaviours, motivation, passivity, control or dominance, impulsivity, unreasonable expectations, lack of intimacy, attachment or abandonment issues, fear, learned helplessness and trauma.

Psychologists apply their expertise across a wide variety of areas to improve outcomes for their clients. Our psychologists are often able to identify the origins of particular behaviours by delving into a client’s history and past experiences to see how they have influenced and shaped their current experience. Psychologists will often explore a client’s thought mechanisms and challenge particular patterns that are unhelpful or negative.

They can utilise the therapeutic relationship to facilitate and support change through psycho-education and skill building. This involves shifting one’s thinking and setting realistic expectations to positively impact behaviours and day-to-day actions. This in turn can improve overall wellbeing and move clients toward a more fulfilling and happy life. Self-esteem and confidence are also boosted by seeing one’s progress towards change and personal achievement.

Practising Psychologists in Australia are required to be registered with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and are required to have a minimum of six years university training and supervised experience. Psychologists must adhere to strict ethical standards and codes of practise, committing on an ongoing basis to continued knowledge and skills development, evidence-based practise and ongoing professional training.

You can be assured that each of our psychologists at DFS is highly trained, experienced and skilled within their chosen fields. Each are fully registered and endorsed with their required governing bodies and maintain appropriate professional memberships and registration.

Our support services are highly flexible

There are many reasons why the psychology services at our Wollongong clinic are used by individuals and groups of all ages and walks of life. In fact, psychology services are proven to be beneficial to those presenting a wide range of concerns.

From time to time, people will face specific issues, dilemmas, or life events that require support, direction and guidance to achieve a possible solution. For example, grieving and loss, adjustment to disability or significant life changes, workplace harassment or bullying, substance abuse, criminal charges or allegations of wrong-doing, personal feelings regarding physical issues, abuse and neglect, needing to secure new employment, parenting, relationship matters, and issues related to sleep and aging.

In these instances, a psychologist can support and guide effective skill development, problem solving and decision making. Most people find it beneficial to speak to a psychologist as it allows them to feel as if they are being heard, listened to, and understood on their life journey. A psychologist can also help people manage more chronic presentations, for example, chronic physical illnesses, long term addictions, and long standing and/or severe mental health and illness.

Probably the least known beneficiaries of psychology are those who are seeking self-improvement, self-discovery and personal growth and fulfilment. Psychologists can assist individuals from the corporate, sporting, and academic sectors, to name just a few, in order to help them make performance enhancements and improvements in their work performance and personal life. Striving for success in an ever-competitive world.

At your first session, our trained clinicians will discuss and explore your presenting concerns. They may talk through the approaches that will be of most benefit to you and reassure you that what you are experiencing is something they can help with. They may suggest a combination of therapies or outline their approach to addressing your situation. This may include programs, as well as an action plan and work to undertake at home. They may administer assessments and tools to evaluate your current wellbeing.

The number of sessions you require will depend on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms or immediacy of action required in your situation, your financial means, session provision under a referral scheme and the frequency with which you would like to attend sessions. Although some of the work will be performed after the session at home, you can also take advantage of our Telehealth appointments rather than physically coming to our clinic in Wollongong for psychology assessments and ongoing therapy.