trying to find a psychologist...

Been looking at a few, but something i noticed which threw me off was some calling themselves life coaches, and the sheer volume of women in the field (i just don't really trust women much) and nobody in my area really says they do trauma and personality disorders, at least they don't advertise it on their companies sites. So I'm feeling a little out of my depth. Do you think asking one of the nurses at the health center for recommendations would be a good start?

Asking a nurse might be a good start.

Anyone can call themselves Life coaches, at least in my country. They aren't even qualified to be counsellors.

In my country, counsellors focus on solving day to day problems and do not treat trauma or other mental disorders which psychologists do.

Not everyone who works with this team of life coaches is qualified, but one has been a licensed psychologist in my area for a few decades now, but idk if he even wants to work with patients like me anymore, or maybe he just wants to do lot easy going work now?
I really wish I lived in the city, so many more psychologists there

Oh and i tried the health center, but nobody was in, after 10 minutes waiting i lost my nerve and left.

At least here like coaches can't be counselors our therapists. I would ask a nurse our see if your are has websites where you can find a psychologists by specialty.

I've tried that, unfortunately many out here they don't seem to do that. I've trawled through all the local practices, many being for kids, anxiety and depression, sexual harassment, etc, but very little for bigger issues. I might email the couple I've found and just ask if they have experience with my kind of thing, and if they'd take me on. Worth a try i guess. Worst they can say is no i suppose.

Any luck finding a psychologist that would be willing to do remote / skype sessions?

That's actually a good idea. I didn't think many psychologists would be willing to do it over Skype etc. Though that would be difficult for me, phones and video calling are anxiety triggers for some reason. But i may have to suck it up and deal with it.

I feel ya! I much rather have a male therapist. I've found ONE! Yes, only one... I've found a number of other female therapists though. Now I need to work up the courage to call him.

I'm not the only one??? Everyone thinks I'm weird, girls are "supposed" trust women more. It's like they think I'm a traitor or something. At least now I'm not the only one! I feel a little better not that now tbh. Thank you Chipper
I emailed the most qualified and compassionate sounding one today. I kind of hoped he would get back to me. Oh well, maybe he does his emails in the mornings. Fingers crossed!

Youre not the only one!

Good luck!

Thanks buttercup i emailed the one i felt good about, but haven't had a reply yet. Maybe he is on vacation? Or having a long weekend? Trying to stay patient and positive. Even though I'm almost panicking, waiting to see if this horrible CSO decides to ignore her boss and come harass me.

Correct about life coaches.
Anyone can also take a few courses to be acredited as a counsellor.

Psychologists and Psychiatrists both take 7+ years of significant schooling the difference is that a psychiatrist is a medical doctor and prescribe meds.

I would start with a family doctor who will give you a referral.
Also...
There could be an Intake Facility for mental health if you are in a larger center
There is also likely to be a mental health association somewhere near you.

Finally, if you are employed contact your EAP Employee Assistance Plan. They will find a therapist that they will cover or subsidize and even make you an appointment.

No, this guy is a qualified psychologist, even medicare covered (have to be licensed to be covered) but works as part of a life coaching team. It seems that's on the side of his actual practice, as he has his own business and office. I'd show you who I'm talking about if it wasn't for privacy etc.

And insurance etc works very differently here.

No worries, you are definitely not alone. There are indeed more of us out there. I've always trusted guys more. (My mom was so incredibly inconsistent that you could never trust her word, and I was abused by a female babysitter as well, so no wonder I don't trust females.) And no, you're definitely not a traitor! (Just stay away from shows like "Girl Code"....IDK if you get it down there, but yeah, it will probably just made you feel like more of an outsider. I think I may have watched 5 minutes of one episode before turning it off.)

Hopefully that therapist will get back to you. He may have just been booked up for the rest of the day. I'd give it a few days and then call him if you don't receive a reply. (I figure technology isn't foolproof, so there's always the chance that he didn't get your email, you didn't receive his reply, etc.)

Yeah my mum was a malignant narcissist, you can just imagine the hell that was. I've even made big strides in recognizing the extent of the damage she caused me. I think you're right on giving it a few days. Though i despise calling people. Its certainly more reliable.
Lol even the name girl code makes me feel like steering clear of it!

I prefer male therapists too, and they must be older than me by at least 5 years, 10 or more would be better.

I may be moving to a new city soon and I have been looking at T profiles also. They are almost 3 to 1 women to men. And men in the city I am looking in either are billed as Christian Counselors, Drug addiction specialists life coaches or their profiles just seem creepy and weird. If it isn't pastoral counseling they offer new age woo-woo instead.

I understand how hard it is to find a halfway decent fit! I'm worried I won't find it.

In my current city, I asked my primary care doctor with good results. Just evidence based treatment for me thanks-- no magic juju on the side for me!

Yeah that limited my choices too. But the ratio is even more extreme! That left only like 5 men, two did child and couples, one did prayer and reiki, leaving only the one I emailed :/
I hope you find a good one, it is a LOT of work I've found!

Same good wishes to you too! I get so frustrated and I haven't even moved yet.
It alarms me who can call themselves a "therapist".

I wonder if a lot of good therapists just DON'T plaster the internet with their profiles, because they don't need to?

That's why your main healthcare provider may be the best place to start! Best of luck!!

The doctors here I don't trust, they are truly negligent. Almost killed my daughter, and were apathetic to my pelvic ligament pains that left me bedridden when pregnant, but told me off repeatedly for gaining weight. Yeah, I've learned to not trust them either. (Not to mention not trusting them saved my daughters life, she ended up in hospital for a week on iv fluids and antibiotics)
Tried to see the midwife I trusted, but I have doubts she even is here anymore.
Most psychologists here are members of larger groups, allied health services and the like, but most are, again, female. I'm considering moving to pretty big city next year, hopefully I will have more choice there.

One blessing, here there is a list of licensed therapeutic practitioners, and you can cross reference it with the Australian psychologists association if I recall the name correctly, and if they're not there then you know something is dodgy. Oh and the medicare approved list, which they must be licensed to be on, so homework helps greatly here.

The people you want is AHPRA Aust Health Practioners Regulation Agency
www.ahpra.gov.au

The Aust Psych Society website is not kept up-to-date.

YOu don't live in far north queensland do you? It is really **** to find someone good up here.

Hi BPA! I think I've checked them too, I've looked at so much on and off this last year that I'm starting to run in circles and not know if I've been there or not, lol.
And are you an Aussie too? *squeee!* no, not fnq, central NSW, there's a bunch near where I live, but most are female, religious, or into energy healing etc, which I'm really not into. Out of something like 20 odd psychologists, I've found one. Just one. Who ticks all of those boxes. There are a one or two more that deal mostly with kids and other stuff, so not really ideal either.