How to Find a Good Therapist in Australia: Support for Every Step of the Journey
“Do I need help?”
“What kind of support is right for me?”
“Where do I even start?”
You’re not alone.
Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already feeling stressed, low, or stuck. With so many therapy types and professionals to choose from, it’s easy to fall into analysis paralysis a state where the pressure to make the right decision ends up preventing us from making any decision at all.
Instead of focusing on the outcome, try focusing just on the next step. Across Australia, there’s now a broad, compassionate network of mental health professionals many now offering online therapy, making support more accessible than ever.
At Connecting Mental Health, we’re here to walk beside you as you take those next steps. Whether you’re seeking trauma therapy, naturopathy, relationship support, somatic bodywork, or someone skilled in listening and creating space for you to be truly heard, there is help out there and you deserve it!
What’s Holding You Back?
Sometimes we delay reaching out because it feels too hard to choose. You might be thinking:
- What if I pick the wrong therapist?
- What if I open up and still feel the same?
- What if I don’t know what kind of help I need?
- What if my past experiences with therapy weren’t helpful?
These are all valid fears. But here’s the truth: you don’t need all the answers to begin. Mental health support is a journey, and the first step doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be real in taking the first step.
Ask yourself:
- What’s been weighing on me the most lately?
- What would it feel like to have support through this?
- What’s stopping me from giving myself that chance?
💡 For more guidance, explore our companion piece:
👉 5 Essentials for Real Mental Health Growth
A great guide to help ground your journey in practical self-compassion and sustainable change.
Different Needs, Different Approaches
People seek mental health support for all kinds of reasons grief, anxiety, trauma, burnout, disconnection, or simply a desire to feel more like themselves. The right approach depends on your goals, life stage, and comfort level.
Here are a few effective therapy options to explore:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Structured and practical. Great for managing anxiety, depression, and unhelpful thought patterns.
EMDR Therapy
A focused trauma therapy for reprocessing distressing memories. Often helpful for PTSD or unresolved trauma.
Schema Therapy
Helps uncover core beliefs developed in childhood, like feeling not good enough or fearing abandonment. Aims to strengthen your Healthy Adult Mode, the part of you that can hold difficult emotions and make thoughtful, values-aligned decisions.
Many of us avoid decisions because we’re reacting from wounded parts, not our grounded adult self. Schema therapy helps us slow this down.
Ask yourself:
- What am I avoiding that might actually help me grow?
- What would my Healthy Adult say to me right now?
Trauma Therapy
A broader term that can include EMDR, somatic practices, or mindfulness. Focuses on nervous system regulation and emotional safety.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Great for emotional regulation, relationships, and distress tolerance, especially if you often feel emotionally overwhelmed or reactive.
Remember: you don’t need to know which therapy is “right.” A good therapist will help guide you.
Who Can You Turn To?
Australia has a wide network of registered professionals. Understanding the different roles can give you more confidence when searching.
Professional | What They Offer | Medicare Rebate Available |
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs) | Provide holistic, evidence-based support for complex life situations, trauma, relationships, and systemic stress | ✅ With GP referral |
Counsellors | Specialise in grief, relationships, emotional wellbeing. Many are trained in integrative and person-centred models. | ❌ (fees often similar to the out-of-pocket costs for AMHSWs and psychologists) |
Occupational Therapists (OTs) | Help with daily functioning, workplace stress, and NDIS-related mental health needs. | ✅ With GP referral |
Psychologists | Assessments, CBT, trauma therapy | ✅ With GP referral |
GPs, Psychiatrists, Paediatricians | Medical support, medications, mental health plans | ✅ Varies |
Trying Therapy Again Should Feel Different
It’s also completely normal to need different therapeutic approaches at different points in life.
Sometimes we look back and feel like a past therapy didn’t work or didn’t solve the problem, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t valuable. It may have been exactly what you needed to get through a particularly difficult time, to stay afloat, or to plant the seeds for later growth.
Healing isn’t always linear, and what supports you now might be different from what supported you before and that’s okay.
Think of it like re-reading a favourite book or re-watching a show you once loved, do you see the exact same thing, or do you notice something new from where you are now? Therapy can be similar. As we grow and change, the way we relate to support changes too.
The important thing is staying open to what you need in the present.
Online Therapy vs In-Person: What’s Best?
Most therapists now offer both options. What matters most is your comfort, safety and access.
Online Therapy Offers:
- Flexible scheduling
- Comfort of home
- No travel time
- Access to specialists Australia-wide
In-Person Therapy Offers:
- Physical presence and connection
- Non-verbal communication
- A grounding space separate from daily life
Ask yourself:
- Would I feel more comfortable opening up from home?
- Do I prefer face-to-face interaction?
Both are valid. The best choice is what works for you.
What Does Research Say?
Recent Australian research highlights how to make an informed choice and overcome barriers:
✅ Access & Flexibility: Digital therapy is just as effective as in-person for many mental health concerns, especially in regional/remote areas.
✅ Evidence-Based Care: Choose therapists who are transparent about using CBT, EMDR, DBT or other proven approaches.
✅ Personalised & Ongoing Support: Look for therapists who offer continuity and adaptability as your needs evolve.
✅ Complementary Approaches: Many therapists incorporate holistic or body-based therapies. Ensure these are evidence-based and discussed openly.
✅ Cultural Sensitivity: Seek culturally competent practitioners if you are from a diverse background.
✅ Systemic Barriers: If you have complex needs, seek services with flexible pathways or advocacy support.
Take the First Step
Mental health support in Australia is more accessible than ever. You don’t need to wait for a crisis. And you don’t have to sort through the noise alone.
Ask yourself:
- What do I need right now?
- What’s one small step I can take today?
Let that step be the beginning.
Want Help Finding the Right Fit?
Connecting Mental Health is here to support you and all of Australia on this journey. Browse our network of holistic mental health practitioners to access the lasting support we all need.
Contact us if you have any questions or feedback.
Written by Jono Derkenne, Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
