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Frequently asked questions about seeking a Gains Clinical Psychologist
| | | 1.Will I Have To Lie On a Couch? | | No - we don't have room!
Unlike the image presented on some television programmes, when you come to see a Gains psychologist you will sit on a comfortable chair, in a quiet pleasant room and you will be offered a cup of tea or coffee. It is the job of the psychologist to put you at your ease and make your time with them as comfortable as possible.
| | | 2.What Is The Difference Between A Clinical Psychologist And A Psychiatrist? | | Psychiatrists are trained medical doctors who have gone on to specialise in psychiatry. They are experts in looking at physical causes for mental illness, and prescribing medicines and physical treatments.
Clinical Psychologists have had six years of university education which includes practical training (like an apprenticeship) where they have learned how feelings, actions, beliefs, experiences and culture affect the way we live. They listen to and understand people's emotional and psychological problems and know how to help people make changes in their lives.
Depending on the Clinical Psychologist's and Psychiatrist's interests the way they deliver their practice may overlap.
| | 3.Will They Want To Know About My Sex Life? | | NO!! Not unless this is what your problem is and why you are coming to see us. You have the power to tell the Psychologist what you want them to know about.
| | 4.Once I Have Seen The Psychologist Will I Have to Keep Going Back For Years ? | | No - in general the average number of sessions a client will have is between four and six. The Gains approach is to use problem focused, goal oriented interventions.
| | 5.Does It Mean I Am Nuts If My Doctor Suggests I Need To See A Clinical Psychologist? | | Not at all - however it may mean that your doctor has concerns about your emotional or mental health that, if left untreated, could lead to something more serious. Just as a physical problem - such as a sprained ankle - should not be left to heal unsupported, neither should an ongoing emotional health problem - such as anxiety - be left to develop into something more serious. A study of the prevalence and types of common mental disorders among patients attending New Zealand general practices found that more than one in three had a diagnosable mental disorder during the past 12 months*. The most common mental disorders were depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders. So the need for emotional health treatment and support is certainly widespread in the population.
*"The nature and prevalence of psychological problems in New Zealand primary healthcare: a report on Mental Health and General Practice Investigation (MaGPIe)". The MaGPIe Research Group. THE NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL JOURNAL; 4 April 2003, Vol 116 No 1171
| | 6.How Much Will It Cost? | | Per hour, less than a lawyer, doctor or accountant - but more expensive than a plumber.
It costs $150.00 for each 50-minute session. So an average number of four to six sessions will cost you less than a week in Fiji, a root canal, four pairs of Italian shoes, any amount of retail therapy or braces - and it may just turn your life around.
Some clients are eligible for Work and Income, PHO or ACC funding.
| Talk to us about gains in these areas
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| - depression - alcohol & substance abuse - work related problems | | - anxieties, fearful states, obsessions and compulsions | | - adjustment problems in chronic illness, including pain management | | - child & family problems - eating disorders | | - relationship & interpersonal concerns - dementia | | - sexual dysfunction - post traumatic stress disorder, including physical, | | emotional & sexual abuse - intellectual & memory concerns | | - stress management - neuropsychological assessment & rehabilitation |
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