Psychologists do excellent social help work. Recognizing vulnerability is usually the first difficulty encountered by those people who do not want to go to a psychologist. There is still a great esteem that causes many people to neglect their mental health and continue with problems that currently have effective solutions.
Adequate professional help is a source of health and well-being. There is no better decision than to ask for help in the face of soul pain. A psychologist helps you direct that situation but, When to talk to a psychologist? Below we explain it to you.
The psychologist is not your friend and thanks to that he can deal with external problems more objectively. In fact, a psychologist cannot treat as a professional the conflicts of the close people he knows and with whom he shares many moments in his daily routine.
The emotional distance of someone who is not involved in a conflict is very important to be able to listen assertively. The psychologist is not your friend, however, a personal bond is established that is very special because it is so positive.
For any psychologist, each patient is unique and unrepeatable thanks to a personal story. But for any patient, a good psychologist becomes a turning point in your life.
Although it is necessary to have friends and it is very important to have a social network that can be by your side and support you in difficult times, that does not mean that a professional is not necessary. A psychologist has scientific training and techniques, his or her role is totally different from that of a friend.
When to take the step of asking for help
When is the time to ask for help? When the days turn a permanent gray color. No one should get used to sadness as a matter of course. When there is a pain of the soul that weighs to the point of making such everyday habits as starting the day and getting out of bed difficult. When you have very negative thoughts and very unpleasant emotions that destabilize you in any situation.
When inside you feel that you are not feeling well and that you cannot cope with that pain on your own, then ask for help. Some warning signs are sleep little or a lot, eat little or a lotfeeling much more tired than usual, feeling much more nervous than usual, feeling like you can’t be yourself, having many interpersonal conflictsfor example: arguing more with family, partners, friends, co-workers… Another warning sign to talk to a psychologist is to stop practicing hobbies or stop wanting to do activities that were previously a source of enjoyment.
How to choose a psychologist
It is important that the professional is trained. Who has completed the academic training necessary to practice psychology, that is, who is Bachelor or Graduate in Psychology.
In addition, you must also have training and experience on the specific problem that has to do with your case. There are many specialties in psychology, so you should look for a psychologist who specializes in the corresponding area. For example, treating infants with neurodevelopmental disorders is not the same as treating adults with depressive symptoms. There are professionals specialized in personality disorders, substance use disorders, sexology, anxiety disorders and couples therapy, among many other areas, such as Hernández Psychologists.
Other aspects to take into account when you want to ask for psychological help is to look for a professional who works with a format and methodology that is practical and comfortable for you. There are, for example, different psychological perspectives and it may be that one suits you more than the other.
There are also various modalities such as group therapy or online therapy with online psychologists. The latter is just as effective as face-to-face psychological therapy and can be a great advantage, combating problems related to distances and travel times. In case of relationship problems, it is even more complicated to manage both agendas to go to centers that involve travel. A very practical idea is online couples therapy.
If your preference is face-to-face therapy, to choose a psychologist, you can review the locations and select those that are most practical due to proximity.
How to talk to a psychologist
Once you have selected the professional you want to see, you may be wondering what the first appointment with the psychologist is like or how to talk to a psychologist. In order for the professional to help you, you must collaborate with sincerity and involvement in therapy.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to When to talk to a psychologist we recommend that you enter our Clinical Psychology category.
References:
Álvarez, MP, & Hermida, JRF (2008). Beyond mental health: psychology in primary care. Roles of the psychologist29(3), 251-270.
Moreno, E., & Moriana, JA (2012). The treatment of psychological and mental health problems in primary care. Mental health35(4), 315-328.
By citing this article, you acknowledge the original source and allow readers to access the full content.
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team at PsychologyFor to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to evidence-based research. The content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
