Psychiatrists are qualified medical doctors who have undertaken further study in mental illness. They are trained in assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders and can prescribe drugs.
Clinical psychologists have usually trained for 6-8 years and have a masters or doctorate in psychology with an arts or science background. They are trained in assessment and provide talking therapy. Clinical psychologists have learned how peoples’ experiences contribute to their beliefs about themselves and others, and help people to become aware of and change unhelpful patterns in their lives.
Clinical psychologists have done extensive formal training (6-8 years) in psychology and have been trained to use scientific measures in their work. This means that they are often focussed on outcomes and using the most effective techniques for change available.
Psychotherapists and counsellors have a variety of backgrounds. It is best to ask anyone you are working with what their training and experience is.
- Processing of illness and distress of diagnosis
- Coping with grief, loss and fears about the future
- Support with making changes to lifestyle (weight loss, increasing physical activity, smoking cessation …etc)
- Management of panic, anxiety and worry
- Management of symptoms of depression and low mood
- Treatment of body image concerns
- Dealing with sleep problems
- Working through relationship problems and issues with sexuality and intimacy
- Difficulties with treatment and side effects (fatigue, nausea, pain, fear of needles …etc )
- Self-management of medications
How can you help me?
We work with you to give you the tools you need to resolve or accept your current situation. This may be individually or in a group format. Often a therapist or a group may help you discover new possibilities that you hadn’t thought of, and thus have more choices and control in your life.
How many sessions will it take?
It is very difficult to give a specific amount of sessions needed. However at Change it psychology we are committed to providing short term, goal oriented, effective therapy usually targeted around 10-12 sessions.
How will my investment benefit me in the long term?
Once you have increased your knowledge and skill base you can use the tools you learn for the rest of your life. The versatility of these tools can help you in any situation.
Do you work after hours?
We are now able to offer selected hours before normal working hours. Please email us for details.
What happens in therapy?
Psychological therapy is a two way process which centers on moving towards specific goals.
The first session is about understanding your current difficulties and agreeing on treatment targets with your therapist. For example you may want to overcome feelings of sadness and a lack of enjoyment related to depression. Perhaps you would like to feel in control of your life rather than be consumed by worry. It can be helpful to think about your expectations from therapy and raise any concerns that you have with your therapist.
Research shows that therapy works best when you attend regularly and give some thought to what you want to discuss during each session. The type of therapy offered by Change it energizing psychology asks you to practice skills and strategies between sessions. People who do this generally get more out of therapy.
I can't afford private psychology. What are my other options?
If your GP is a member of a primary health organisation in Auckland they may be able to refer you to a limited number (usually 3-6 sessions) of funded sessions with a therapist from another organisation, not Change it.
http://www.aucklandpho.co.nz; Go to "practices" to see if your GP belongs
http://www.tamakipho.org.nz Go to "our providers" to see if your GP belongs
http://www.procare.co.nz Go to "find a procare doctor" to see if your GP belongs. You may have to meet certain criteria to be eligible.
If you go to each of the above PHO links, you will be able to see if your doctor belongs to one of these organisations.
The other option is to ring your doctor's practice and ask if they provide funded sessions.
Our handy contacts page is also worth a look for low cost options.
What if my friend or family member has depression? How can I help?
When someone you care about (e.g., friend or family member) is suffering from depression it can be difficult to know what to do and how to interact with them. This brief article contains guidelines to help point you in the right direction.
What are your confidentiality rules?
Clinical psychologists are bound by the Psychologists code of ethics (2001). With regard to confidentiality at Change it psychology, all therapy discussions are confidential with the important exception that if you are at risk from yourself or someone else we may need to break confidentiality.
What about your cancellation policy?
A cancellation fee applies to appointments that are not attended, cancelled or rescheduled for any reason without sufficient notice.
These fees are as follows:
0-24 hours notice : Full hourly rate
25-48 hours notice : 50% of the hourly rate
This is to allow time to offer the appointment to another client who may be on a cancellation list waiting for an appointment.
Do you offer child/adolescent assessment/therapy?
Change it energizing psychology is pleased to announce that Dr Jackie Feather can offer appointments to children and adolescents.
What’s the difference between clinical psychology and positive psychology?
Traditionally clinical psychology has been about alleviating misery and learning to cope with clinical disorders, for example depression, anxiety, substance abuse etc. In the last few years, there has been an acknowlegement by psychologists and others that happiness is not just the absence of disorder, it is about finding out about what makes us healthy, fulfilled and focussed on well-being. Positive psychology provides a scientific framework for the study of human potential and happiness.
