Looking for a therapist or psychologist in Brisbane? Here’s how to work out who to see
By Cath Sully, Terra Soul Therapies
You know you want some mental health support, so you search “therapist near me”, “psychologist Brisbane” or “counsellor Brisbane”. Up come psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and mental health coaches. They all sound like people who could help. How do you know who to call?
Start with what you want help with. Are you looking for a diagnosis or wondering whether medication might help? Do you need somewhere to talk through a breakup? Or have you tried therapy before and still find yourself repeating a pattern you understand perfectly well?
What’s the difference between a psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor, psychotherapist and mental health coach?
Who you might see | What they can help with |
Psychiatrist | Specialist medical assessment, diagnosis and medication. Some also provide psychotherapy. |
Psychologist | Psychological assessment and therapy. Some offer specific assessments, such as ADHD or autism assessments. |
Counsellor | Working through concerns such as grief, relationship difficulties, anxiety, workplace stress and life changes. |
Psychotherapist | Exploring emotional and relationship patterns and how they show up in your life now and discover a way to live a life that works for you. |
Mental health coach | Building practical coping skills, setting goals and following through on changes you want to make. |
These roles can overlap, especially when it comes to talking therapies. The practitioner’s training, experience and way of working matter as much as the title on their website. (healthdirect.gov.au, pacfa.org.au, medicarementalhealth.gov.au)
Psychiatrist or psychologist? What’s the difference?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication and review how it’s working. If you’re searching for a psychiatrist in Brisbane because you want a specialist medical opinion or a medication review, your GP can help you work out whether a referral makes sense. (healthdirect.gov.au)
A psychologist is a registered health professional who can assess mental health concerns and provide psychological therapy. People see psychologists for concerns such as anxiety, depression and trauma. Some psychologists also offer formal ADHD, autism or learning assessments, depending on their training and experience. Psychologists in Australia don’t prescribe medication. If you need a specific assessment, ask the practice whether they offer it before booking. (healthdirect.gov.au)
What’s the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?
Both can offer talking therapy. If you’re looking for a formal psychological assessment, check whether a psychologist offers the assessment you need. If you’re looking for someone to help you make sense of what’s happening and how it’s affecting you, counselling may be a good fit. (healthdirect.gov.au, healthdirect.gov.au)
People look for counselling in Brisbane for all sorts of reasons. You might be grieving, going through a separation, struggling with anxiety or coming home from work too exhausted to do anything else. You might have noticed that you keep saying yes when you want to say no. Counselling gives you somewhere to slow down, talk about what’s going on and work out what you want to do next.
What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy share a lot of ground. Many practitioners, including me, offer both. Counselling might focus on something you’re dealing with now. Psychotherapy can also give you space to explore how familiar patterns developed and what happens when they show up today. How that looks in a session depends on the person you work with and their approach. (healthdirect.gov.au, pacfa.org.au)
Here’s an example. You might know you’re allowed to set a boundary, but the second someone sounds disappointed, your chest tightens and you hear yourself saying, “Actually, it’s fine. I’ll do it.” In psychotherapy, we might slow that moment down. What did you notice first? What did you imagine would happen if you stuck with your no? What’s it like to try saying it here, with someone who can give you time to find the words?
If you’re searching for a psychotherapist in Brisbane, you might also have come across terms such as Gestalt therapy, somatic therapy, body based psychotherapy or Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. At Terra Soul Therapies, I draw on Gestalt and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. That can mean talking about what’s going on and paying attention to what you notice in your body as we talk, like holding your breath, tensing your shoulders or feeling the urge to go quiet.
Is a mental health coach the same as a therapist?
Mental health coaching usually focuses on practical skills and goals. You might work with a coach to manage everyday stress, build a routine or follow through on a change you’ve been putting off. Some programs, such as Beyond Blue’s NewAccess, offer structured support with specially trained coaches. If you’re considering a private mental health coach, ask about their qualifications, what sessions involve and when they refer people to a clinician. (medicarementalhealth.gov.au, beyondblue.org.au)
Do I need a GP referral or a Mental Health Treatment Plan?
You can generally book private counselling or psychotherapy in Brisbane directly. If you’re looking for a Medicare rebate, ask your GP about a Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral requirements. Under Better Access, eligible people can receive rebates for certain services with eligible psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists. Psychiatry has separate Medicare referral arrangements. It’s worth asking the practice what you’ll pay out of pocket before you book. (health.gov.au, servicesaustralia.gov.au, healthdirect.gov.au)
How do I find the right therapist in Brisbane?
You can get more specific than “best therapist near me”. Try putting what you actually want help with into words. These are also questions you can ask a therapist before you book.
Anxiety counselling in Brisbane: “Do you work with people who feel anxiety physically, like a tight chest or a churning stomach?”
Breakup or separation counselling: “Can I talk through what happened and work out what I want next?”
Therapy for people pleasing and boundaries: “Can you help me understand why saying no feels so uncomfortable, even when I know I need to?”
LGBTQIA+ affirming counselling in Brisbane: “Can I talk about my identity or relationships without having to explain the basics first?”
Neurodivergent affirming therapy in Brisbane: “Do you work with adults making sense of a late ADHD or autism diagnosis?”
Body based therapy in Brisbane: “What does a session look like if I’ve tried talking therapy before and still feel stuck?”
Counselling and psychotherapy in Albion, Brisbane
I’m Cath Sully, a counsellor, psychotherapist and registered nurse at Terra Soul Therapies. I offer counselling and psychotherapy in Albion, Brisbane, and online across Australia. I work with people experiencing anxiety, burnout, grief, relationship difficulties and life changes. My practice is LGBTQIA+ affirming and neurodivergent affirming.
You can book directly without a GP referral. Sessions are privately paid.
If you’d like to know more or feel like you might want to work with me, reach out. I offer a complimentary 20 minute discovery call. You can tell me a little about what’s brought you here, ask me how I work and get a feel for whether we’d be a good fit.
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