Frequently Asked Questions

How to choose a therapist?

Choosing a therapist can be confusing. Especially because of the number of therapeutic approaches out there. It can be helpful to keep in mind that this diversity reflects the breadth of issues people bring to therapy, as well as the diversity of human survival and flourishing. There is no single answer to the question of how to deal with problems in life, but a good therapist can help you find meangingful, affirming, effective solutions that support your development. So when choosing a therapist, try find someone with whom you feel understood and whose approach resonates with you.

Do I need to see a psychologist or a counsellor?

Psychology and counselling are overlapping professions and therapists in both fields may practice in similar ways. There are differences in scope when it comes to administering some formal assessments, or giving expert evidence, but for the most part if you are looking for a therapist to help with a mental health or relationship difficulty, either option might be a good fit for you.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy involves talking with someone who is trained to listen in a particular way. Its origins are in psychoanalysis, which emerged in the early part of the twentieth century in the work of Sigmund Freud. Since then the field has evolved to include many branches of knowledge. But the core tenets of clinical practice, that is, the enduring value of being heard and understood in a caring, attentive, non-judgmental environment, have remained largely unchanged.

What is your approach?

The primary way that I work is called psychodynamic therapy. This approach focuses on building a supportive, non-judgmental relationship to explore your experience and build your awareness of underlying psychological and emotional factors. This awareness then enables new perspectives, capacity for choice, meaning and self-understanding, which serve to improve your overall mental health. A typical session allows space to address any themes which emerge on the day, along with links to past experiences, patterns of attachment, interpersonal relationships, dreams, embodied emotions, and recurring patterns Where relevent, I also integrate theory and techniques from related fields, such as existential psychotherapy, emotion-focused therapy, somatic experiencing and comtemporary psychoanalysis.

How long do I need to be in therapy?

Sometimes therapy lasts only as long as it takes to solve a pressing issue, for example a few months, other times it evolves into a medium to long-term working relationship over several years. This depends in part on the nature of the issue you are trying to address. In the early phase of therapy I will also assess the kind of approach and timeline that is most suitable.

Do I need therapy and will it work?

The effectiveness of therapy is well documented over more than a century of clinical research. Of course, there is no guarantee that therapy will always end in resolution, but the vast majority of people who see a therapist do find it helpful.

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Daniel Silver

Counselling & Psychotherapy

Fees

Private Health Rebates