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Psychotherapy comes in many schools, but you do not need to pick one in advance. Here is what fit really means and how to talk about it.

Look up psychotherapy online and you will find dozens of named approaches, each with its own vocabulary. It can feel as though you need a crash course before you are allowed to ask for help. Thankfully, that is not how it works.

You are not expected to choose a school

Arriving without a view on which theory suits you is completely normal. The more useful question is what you want help with and what kind of working relationship would make it possible to talk openly. Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, holds qualifications in psychotherapy and can explain the options in plain language.

What a good fit feels like

Fit is partly practical and partly personal. Do you feel safe enough to speak honestly? Do the explanations you hear make sense to you? Do the goals being discussed reflect what you care about rather than what someone assumes you should want? You can ask Christine how her suggested approach connects to your concerns and how it could be modified as things unfold.

Room for change and referral

A collaborative relationship includes the freedom to say an approach is not working. Sometimes a different method, or a referral to another service or professional, will be more helpful, and raising that possibility is a sign of good care rather than failure. If your needs shift between sessions, ask what support is available in the meantime.

Setting your own markers

It can help to name what you would like to understand, what has been hard to shift and what small signs would tell you that things are moving. These markers belong to you and can be revisited whenever the work is reviewed.

Psychotherapy at the Freshwater clinic

For people living between Manly and Narrabeen, the Freshwater clinic offers psychotherapy without a commute to the city. If you feel at risk at any point, contact emergency services or a crisis line straight away. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for a personal assessment.