15 Nov How to Choose the Right Psychiatrist in Melbourne — Finding a Clinician Who Truly Understands You
Choosing a psychiatrist can feel like a tender and vulnerable step. When you’re already navigating uncertainty or emotional strain, placing your wellbeing in someone else’s hands requires deep trust. At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we understand how meaningful this decision is. Many people tell us they want a psychiatrist who genuinely listens, who doesn’t rush, and who takes the time to understand their story — not just their symptoms.
A good psychiatrist offers more than treatment. They bring clarity, compassion, and steadiness. They help you make sense of what feels overwhelming, and they walk alongside you with a plan that fits your life, your needs, and your goals. This guide will help you understand what to look for and how to choose a psychiatrist who feels like the right fit for you, while also giving you a clearer sense of how our team at Positive Wellbeing Psychology supports clients through this process.
Understanding What “The Right Fit” Means
Everyone’s needs are different, which is why finding a psychiatrist who feels like a natural match is so important.
Many people feel a sense of comfort when their psychiatrist:
— Listens with patience and presence
— Shows genuine interest in their lived experience
— Explains things in a way that feels grounding
— Encourages questions and collaboration
— Brings warmth instead of formality
— Helps them understand patterns rather than labelling them
This is the style of care our psychiatrists at Positive Wellbeing Psychology are known for. Clients often share that they leave their first appointment feeling heard, understood, and more hopeful — even when things have felt complicated for a long time.
Psychiatrists often focus their work on specific areas. Choosing someone whose expertise aligns with your needs can make your experience clearer and more effective from the start.
Choose a Psychiatrist With the Right Specialisation
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our psychiatrists offer specialised support across a range of presentations, including:
— ADHD and neurodevelopmental conditions
— Anxiety and depressive disorders
— Mood stabilisation
— Trauma-related concerns
— Stress, sleep, and emotional regulation difficulties
— Young adult and adult mental health
— Complex and longstanding presentations
This includes clinicians such as Dr Thomas Sellitto, who brings a thoughtful and structured approach to assessment and diagnosis, and Dr Aaron Fernandez, who supports clients with a gentle, collaborative style that helps them feel at ease when discussing complex emotional experiences.
Having psychiatrists with distinct strengths means we can match clients with the clinician whose training and style align best with their needs.
Think About the Style of Care You Prefer
Your comfort matters. Some people want a psychiatrist who is direct and efficient. Others prefer someone who is warm, reflective, and steady. At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we honour these differences and aim to match you with a psychiatrist who naturally aligns with your preferences.
Consider what feels most supportive:
— A structured, medical-focused approach
— A gentle, conversational style
— A psychiatrist who collaborates closely with your psychologist
— A clinician who explores both emotional patterns and biological needs
— A balanced approach integrating assessment, therapy consideration, and medication management
Our clinic director personally reviews each enquiry to ensure you are paired with the psychiatrist or psychologist best suited to support your goals.
Integrated Care Can Make a Meaningful Difference
Many clients tell us they feel more grounded when their psychologist, psychiatrist, and GP communicate. At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, we offer an integrated model of care where communication is shared (with your consent), appointments are coordinated, and your wellbeing is approached as a whole — not in isolated pieces.
Integrated care can offer:
— A clearer understanding of your symptoms
— A cohesive treatment plan
— Easier adjustment of medication where needed
— Faster progress due to collaboration
— A sense of consistency and safety
This approach is especially helpful for ADHD, mood disorders, trauma-related presentations, and situations where emotional and biological factors overlap.
Understand the Practicalities: Waitlists, Referrals, and Suitability
Finding a psychiatrist in Melbourne can involve navigating long waitlists or unclear processes. Our goal is to make this step feel as supported and transparent as possible.
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, the process is simple. You complete our online enquiry form and email us your GP referral. Our clinic director will review your information carefully and determine whether one of our clinicians is the right match for your needs. You will then receive an email within 24 hours outlining the next steps, whether that involves booking an assessment, arranging further information, or offering alternatives if needed.
Clients often tell us they feel reassured knowing exactly what will happen next.
Your Comfort Matters as Much as Their Expertise
Once you meet your psychiatrist, pay attention to how you feel during the first appointment.
Ask yourself:
— Do I feel understood?
— Do I feel respected?
— Do I feel safe enough to be honest?
— Do I leave with a sense of clarity or direction?
Our psychiatrists aim to create an environment where you feel grounded, informed, and emotionally safe, even when discussing difficult experiences.
Choosing the Right Psychiatrist Is a Personal Decision — and You Are Allowed to Choose What Feels Right
Seeking psychiatric support is an important step toward clarity, stability, and self-understanding. Whether you’re exploring ADHD symptoms, navigating anxiety or low mood, or trying to understand long-term emotional patterns, having the right psychiatrist supporting you can make a meaningful difference.
At Positive Wellbeing Psychology, our psychiatrists don’t just treat symptoms. They help you make sense of your story, honour your lived experience, and guide you toward the future you want. You deserve care that feels safe, collaborative, and deeply attuned to who you are.
How Positive Wellbeing Psychology Can Help?
Positive Wellbeing Psychology offers a supported, thoughtful, and personalised pathway for anyone seeking psychiatric or psychological care in Melbourne. Our integrated team understands how significant it is to reach out, and we’re committed to making the process feel calm and clear from the very first step.
When you contact our clinic, our clinic director personally reviews your information, referral, and areas of concern. This ensures you are matched with the clinician whose training, style, and expertise best support your needs, whether that is one of our psychologists or one of our psychiatrists such as Dr Thomas Sellitto or Dr Aaron Fernandez.
Our Integrative and Collaborative Approach
Our approach is collaborative. Your psychologist, psychiatrist, and GP can work together (with your consent) to create a cohesive treatment plan that supports both emotional and biological wellbeing. This might include therapy, psychiatric review, medication management, further assessment, or a combination of supports tailored specifically for you.
Whether you need clarity through assessment, guidance around ADHD, help navigating anxiety or low mood, or support with complex emotional patterns, we offer a gentle, structured, and respectful environment for you to begin. Positive Wellbeing Psychology is here to support you every step of the way.