David Fillmore   Registered Psychologist

​​Straight Up Psychology

Can a Psychologist Really Help?

Most people can benefit from counselling at some point in their lives.

In 2021-2022, the ABS findings of the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing in Australia showed that 43.7% of adults had at some point in their lifetime experienced a mental health disorder.

Anxiety disorders including feelings of tension or distress are the most common group of disorders, affecting around 16.8% of the adult population. Disorders associated with depression also affect around 7.5% of the adult population every year. Some people are also affected by substance abuse disorders, psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, personality disorders, and other conditions, while many people have more than one diagnosis. 

Children and adolescents also develop anxiety, depression and disruptive behaviour.

Many people will attempt to address things on the quiet, not wanting to let others know. It is only when these mental health issues become unbearable that some will think of turning to someone for help.

Research shows that psychological treatments are effective in managing many mental health disorders and that people who receive therapy from a psychologist are better off than 80% of those who have not had therapy. Some treatments are also shown to be as successful as medication in treating some conditions.  Psychologists have skills that allow them to help people to better understand their thoughts and feelings and to equip them with the knowledge and skills to deal more effectively with life problems and overcome the particular issues they may be facing.