Why “Go see a Psychologist” Isn’t the whole picture
Therapy in movies vs real life
When we think of therapy, most of us picture the same thing. A psychologist. A couch. Someone asking “and how did that make you feel?”
That image has been reinforced for decades through movies, TV, and popular culture. So it’s no surprise that many people believe psychologists are the only option for therapy.
But in real life, therapy looks much broader than that.
In Australia, there are several highly trained professionals who provide therapy, including Accredited Mental Health Social Workers (AMHSWs). And for many people, they are just as effective and sometimes a better fit.
What is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker?
An Accredited Mental Health Social Worker is a qualified social worker with additional mental health training, experience, and accreditation through the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
To become accredited, social workers must:
Complete extensive postgraduate training
Have significant supervised clinical experience
Meet ongoing professional development requirements
Complete a final lengthy exam
Accredited Mental Health Social Workers are recognised under Medicare, meaning clients can access rebates through a Mental Health Treatment Plan, just as they can with psychologists.
So what’s the difference?
This is where it’s important to say, there isn’t a “better than” in a general sense. There is just different training and perspective.
Psychologists are trained with a strong focus on psychological theory, assessment, and diagnosis.
Social workers are trained to look at the whole person in context. That includes:
Life experiences
Relationships
Trauma
Social and family systems
Stressors like pregnancy, loss, work, finances, and identity changes
For many people, especially those navigating big life transitions, trauma, or relational challenges, this broader lens can feel deeply supportive.
Why some people connect more with social workers
Many clients tell me they didn’t realise how much the relationship in therapy mattered until they found the right fit.
Social workers often work in a way that feels:
Relational and conversational
Less clinical or medicalised
Grounded in real-life experiences
Strength-based rather than “what’s wrong with you”
This doesn’t mean psychologists don’t work this way. Many do. It simply means that the training lens of social work naturally leans toward understanding people within their lived world.
It’s not about the title, it’s about the fit
One of the most important things to know is this:
The effectiveness of therapy is less about the professional title and more about:
Feeling safe
Feeling comfortable
Feeling understood
Feeling heard
Trusting the person you’re working with
If you feel comfortable and supported, therapy works better.
And sometimes, that connection is found with a psychologist. Sometimes it’s found with an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker.
A note about the perinatal space
In the perinatal space, many people aren’t looking for something highly clinical or tightly structured.
They’re navigating vulnerability, identity shifts, uncertainty, loss, trauma, and big emotional changes that don’t always fit neatly into boxes or worksheets.
What many people need in this season is something real. A space that feels human, relational, and safe enough to exhale. To just be.
My approach to pregnancy and early parenting support is grounded in evidence-based therapy, while also allowing room for the whole person. That can include emotional, relational, and body-based experiences, not just thoughts and symptoms.
For some, that means a slower pace.
For others, it means gentler structure.
For many, it means being met exactly where they are, without needing to perform or explain themselves.
Support in the perinatal space doesn’t need to feel clinical to be effective. It needs to feel safe, attuned, and real.
The takeaway
If “I need to see a psychologist” has been your default thought, you’re not alone. Society has been programmed from external influences to immediately think this way. After reading this, I encourage you however, to please be aware and consider, there are other pathways to support that just may be more appropriate for you.
Support Is Available
If you’ve been unsure about starting therapy because you are unsure about your options, I'm happy to have a chat about my approach and how I work, to see if I'm a good fit for you.
I offer perinatal counselling in Tamworth NSW and telehealth support Australia-wide for women navigating pregnancy anxiety, fear, and emotional overwhelm.
When you’re ready, I’m here.
