If you clicked on our test about the need for a psychologist out of curiosity or because you suspect you need it, you probably want to know what happens to the psychologist as well. Below we will explain everything and answer all the questions you have ever had about mental health therapy.
1. How do I know I need to go to a psychologist
First, reframe the question. Better ask yourself what can I get from a psychologist? What good will it bring me. Whoever you are, something will definitely benefit you. There is the idea that to get to the psychologist, you have to have a mental illness or suffer from high levels of stress / anxiety / trauma, that you have to repair something. Although these are compelling reasons, they are not necessary. You can go to the psychologist and learn things about yourself that you didn't know you needed.
Why go to a psychologist:
You want to learn to be more active, more sociable, more vulnerable, more simply.
You feel sad, tired or lost.
Work doesn't make you happy at all and you want to know how to handle it daily or make money.
You want to be more conscious or emotionally intelligent.
You need to talk about something that happened to you in life.
You want to improve relationships with others and be a better person
You want to achieve your goal, but you need motivation.
You want to learn relaxation techniques.
You need to forgive someone.
You need someone, though you don't know why.
How to Find a Psychologist
First, you can talk to your family doctor about a name for you, or a person near you who has previous experience with psychologists. You can also browse the list of psychologists licensed by the Psychologist Order, but that site is not currently operational.
How to figure out that the psychologist of choice is the right one for me
Finding the psychologist that does for you is like finding a partner. It depends on what you are looking for. Maybe you want to get out of the comfort zone, maybe you want to talk and be heard, maybe you want a third party opinion.
Do it well to choose a specialist psychologist or who knows the problems you have or the issues you want to solve.
How much does a session cost to the psychologist
It depends on the psychologist, but the sessions start at 3000 ALL per hour.
What happens during the sessions with the psychologist
It depends on the type of treatment you will do because they are many. Chances are you will be doing some kind of psychotherapy, which means you will be talking and listening. Some of the most popular types of psychotherapy are:
Supportive therapy, which means that you will tell what you think, feel and what problems you have and in return receive positive feedback, advice and a foundation to build strong emotional foundations.
Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on problem solving. The psychologist will help you identify repetitive behaviors and actions that are harming you and give you healthy alternatives.
Psychodynamic therapy, which consists of analyzing experiences and feelings to improve oneself and change unhealthy behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on practical ways to normalize emotions and help you take responsibility for destructive behaviors in life. It is used for those who have personality disorders, target suicide, who have post-traumatic stress disorder or eating disorders.
What to do before the first session
Update knowledge about your medical history that may have an impact on mental health.
Also, go to the session with some idea of what you want to achieve.
What happens the first session
The first session is led by a psychologist. You will talk about your history, family, relationships, work and school, your relationship with drugs, alcohol, and the situation you are in.
What psychologists write during the session
Not everyone writes during the sessions, but those who write record important things said during the session that they will need in future sessions. For example, "it feels like leaving society, but anxiety doesn't allow them to make plans" or "it uses astrology to explain the problems it has with men."
Do the things that are really said remain among you?
Yes, according to the Code of Ethics signed by psychologists in Albania, what is said among you remains with you.
How long should I go to the psychologist
It depends on the situation. If you have entered sessions with a clear goal in mind, you can stop when you reach that goal. Otherwise, talk to the psychologist.
Good luck.
