FAQ

We know starting therapy can be daunting and it is completely normal to be anxious beforehand, but rest assured, we aim to provide a safe and calming environment to work on creating greater emotional wellbeing. 

During the first appointment at Key to Life Psychology, we aim to provide an introduction to psychology and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, we aim to discuss how we can best assist you and your needs moving forward and explore current concerns and their origin. Colloborating and analysing together.

From there, we formulate intervention statergies and approaches personalised to you and your life. 

Yes, appointments are fully private and confidential. This means all information discussed during sessions stays between you and the therapist unless you provide written consent saying otherwise.

All information regarding confidentiality is provided in our intake form.

A standard consultation is approximately 50 minutes, including the initial appointment. 

There is not right way or wrong way to do therapy - it looks different for everyone. At Key to life we offer a personalised approach - best suiting to individuals needs, budget and lifestyle. 

Some people find therapy over months to years to be helpful where others prefer short-term therapy over weeks or months. 

Generally speaking, we often recommend fortnightly to begin with and then progressing to monthly visits. 

Psychology can benefit anyone and is suited to a wide range of life challenges. Whether you're feeling burnt out, stuck, struggling with sleep, or those experiencing chronic concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar and more, support is available.

A psychologist can help individuals understand their thoughts, beliefs, behaviours, and internal processes that impact their lives. At Key to Life Psychology, we work collaboratively with our clients to identify their goals for therapy. From there, our psychologists develop a personalized plan using approaches best suited to your needs and aspirations.

In psychology, change is often measured through psychometric assessments. These assessments involve completing a questionnaire that is then scored, providing valuable insights into psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as aspects like life meaning, quality of life, and the frequency of specific behaviors or activities.

These assessments are typically conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of therapy. They help both the psychologist and the individual track progress, identify areas of improvement, and determine if further attention is needed in any specific area of concern.

If you’re not experiencing change during therapy, there are a few potential reasons:

1. Client-Therapist Relationship: A strong, trusting relationship between you and your therapist is essential for effective therapy. You should feel safe, supported, and validated throughout the process. Without this foundation, progress may be limited.

2. Readiness for Change: Change requires active participation. If you're in the "Pre-contemplative Stage of Change," you might recognize the issues you're facing but are not yet ready to commit to meaningful change. This stage is common, and progress often happens once you're prepared to take the next steps.

3. Therapeutic Approach: Sometimes, the treatment plan might not be the right fit. This could be due to various factors, such as missing details about your life situation or a mismatch in treatment strategies. We’re always open to adjusting the approach to better suit your needs.

If you’re not seeing progress, we’ll collaborate to identify the cause and find solutions. This might involve revisiting and adjusting the treatment plan or, in some cases, exploring a referral to a different therapist if we find a better fit for you.

At Key to Life Psychology, we use therapy modalities that are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. These approaches have been proven to be effective and help eliminate factors like the placebo effect, ensuring that the treatment you receive is based on solid evidence.

The specific modality used will be carefully selected by your therapist based on your individual goals and needs.

If you would like to learn more about the different therapeutic modalities, click here.

It's also important to remember that the most crucial factor in therapy is the client-therapist relationship. A strong, trusting bond between you and your therapist is key to making progress. Even with the best therapeutic approach, progress may be limited if this connection isn't strong.

Finding the right therapist is a key part of the therapeutic process.

Since we all have unique personalities, it’s natural that you might not connect with every therapist. Trust your instincts—if after a few sessions it doesn’t feel like the right match, it’s completely okay to explore working with someone else.

While it can be frustrating to share your story again with a new therapist, it’s important to find someone you truly feel comfortable with. In the long run, it’s better to invest the time in finding a good fit than to continue with someone who doesn’t quite feel right.

It’s also possible that the therapeutic relationship might change over time. What felt right initially could shift, and in those cases, finding a new psychologist could provide fresh insights or a different approach that’s better suited to your needs at that time.

If you feel the match isn’t right, you’re encouraged to share your thoughts with your psychologist directly. They’ll be happy to offer suggestions for someone who might be a better fit.

We also understand that these conversations can be challenging, so if you prefer, you can always reach out to our friendly Admin team for support in finding a new psychologist.