A psychologist is a professional trained in the science of how people think, feel, behave and learn.

A psychologist can help you to:

• manage pain and fatigue 
• cope with difficult emotions 
• adopt and keep healthy habits
• deal with other challenges more skilfully.

Many psychologists use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a therapy that helps a person to change unhelpful or unhealthy habits of thinking, feeling and behaving.

Clinical psychologists

Clinical psychologists are primarily interested in mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety-related disorders, although they work with people with many different kinds of health problems.

Health psychologists

Health psychologists focus on promoting positive health behaviours and reducing harmful health behaviours. They focus on how a person's attitudes, beliefs and behaviours affect their health, and how they might be changed to improve health and wellbeing.

Psychologists are trained to understand and alter (when needed) the following behaviours:

• diet
• exercise
• smoking
• disease management strategies
• pain management strategies
• patterns of daily life
• following doctors’ advice.

To find a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website or call them on 1800 333 497.