How to Choose a Therapist: A Practical Guide for Brisbane Professionals

Choosing the right therapist can feel surprisingly tricky. You’re sharing your inner world with someone—so naturally, you want it to be the right someone. And with many options in Brisbane, it’s not always clear how to make the best choice.

This guide walks you through how therapy works, why it’s effective, and what to look for in a psychologist so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Why Choose Therapy?

Therapy isn’t just talking about problems. It creates lasting psychological and neurological change.

A growing body of research shows that therapy offers long-term benefits where other solutions act more like temporary band-aids. For example, a major study found that Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was significantly more effective at treating chronic insomnia than sleeping pills—especially over the long term (Trauer et al., 2015).

Psychologist Louis Cozolino describes therapists as applied neuroscientists. His research shows that the therapeutic relationship creates the emotional context needed for neural plasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganise and heal.

In therapy, this means:– long-standing patterns can shift– anxiety and depression can ease– trauma-related neurological disruptions can be repaired

Therapy works because it changes both the mind and the brain.

How To Choose A Therapist

1. Training and Qualifications

   Look for a registered psychologist or clinical psychologist with postgraduate training. You may also want to consider additional certifications (such as EMDR, Schema Therapy, AEDP), areas of specialisation, or whether they focus on short-term skills or deeper transformational work.

   
   

2. Values and Therapeutic Style

   Therapy is most effective when the relationship feels safe, collaborative, and aligned. Ask yourself: Do their values resonate with yours? Does their language and approach help you feel at ease? Do they come across as genuine, grounded, and clear?

   
   

3. Clarity Around Your Goals

   Before choosing a therapist, consider what you want support with—such as anxiety, burnout, trauma, relationship patterns, perfectionism, or identity concerns. Different psychologists specialise in different areas.

   
   

4. Personal Recommendations

   If you know someone who has worked with a psychologist they trust, a recommendation can be helpful. Use referrals as information—not pressure. What works for someone else may not be the right fit for you.

   
   

5. You’re Allowed to Ask Questions

   You can call or email a therapist before booking. You might ask:– What approaches do you use?– How do you structure therapy?– Have you supported people with similar concerns?– What can I expect in the first session?

The right therapist will help you feel informed—not overwhelmed.

Final Thought

Finding the right therapist isn’t about locating the “perfect expert.” It’s about finding a human you genuinely feel you can work with. The relationship itself is one of the strongest predictors of therapeutic success.

If you’re considering starting therapy, take your time, explore your options, and trust your instincts. The right fit can create life-changing momentum.