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Feeling safe, understanding the explanations and seeing your priorities reflected matter more than knowing the name of a therapy model.

You do not need to be an expert

Browse the internet for psychological support and you may be confronted with a bewildering list of therapy names and theories. It is easy to feel you must pick the right one before you even make contact. You do not. Working out which approach suits you is part of what the first sessions are for.

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, holds qualifications in psychotherapy and is used to people arriving with no idea which method they want. Starting with what is troubling you is enough.

What good fit looks like

Several ingredients contribute to a good match. Do you feel safe enough to speak openly? Do the explanations offered make sense to you? Do the goals reflect what you care about, rather than someone else's agenda?

You can ask Christine how her proposed approach connects to your concerns and how it might be adjusted if something is not working. A collaborative relationship also means being open to a different method, or to a referral elsewhere, when that would serve you better. Some situations call for a psychologist, psychiatrist or other specialist service, and your GP can help arrange that.

Setting a shared direction

Sessions should leave space for your priorities. You might wish to understand a pattern more clearly, explore something that feels hard to shift, or decide how you would notice progress. Ask how the work will be reviewed along the way and what help you can lean on if life shifts between sessions.

Should you feel at risk of harm at any point, phone 000 or a crisis service such as Lifeline immediately.

Making contact in Lane Cove

For many people, the hardest part is sending the first message. Christine offers psychotherapy at the Lane Cove clinic, and an initial appointment can simply be a chance to talk and see whether her way of working feels right for you.