Did you know that as of June 2023, there were 46,347 registered psychologists in Australia? That’s nearly 47,000 experts ready to support your mental wellbeing, but with so many faces on the register, how do you make sure you’re picking a registered online psychologist who’s right for you?

In this article, we’ll gently guide you through:

What a psychologist actually is, and how they differ from other mental health professionals
What makes “online” different from a traditional in-office model
Key things to keep in mind when you’re searching for a registered psychologist in Australia
How to figure out what you need from your sessions, so you can zero in on the perfect fit
The best ways to find your ideal online psychologist (including handy directories and tips)

By the end, you’ll be well equipped to navigate the AHPRA register, vet qualifications and leverage The Indigo Project’s Get Matched tool, so you can start therapy feeling confident you’re in safe, skilled hands.

What Exactly Does a Psychologist Do (And How Do They Differ From Counsellors)

In practice, a psychologist is someone who has:

Completed a four-year accredited degree in psychology
Undertaken a further two years of supervised practice (or an approved postgraduate qualification)
Met the registration standards laid out by the Psychology Board of Australia, under AHPRA

They’re trained to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to more complex challenges like trauma, eating disorders or obsessive behaviours. Their toolbox includes evidence-based therapies such as:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-informed approaches

By contrast, counsellors often come from diverse training backgrounds (social work, counselling diplomas, sometimes psychology) and typically focus on short to mid-term support, life-skills coaching and emotional processing. Both roles are immensely valuable, but your choice boils down to whether you need the depth of formal assessment and diagnosis (psychologist) or the relational, skill-building emphasis of counselling.

Online vs Traditional: What’s the Difference?

Traditional Psychologists

Location: You attend a clinic or private practice in person.
Environment: A designated consulting room provides a neutral, confidential space.
Format: Usually 50 to 60 minute sessions, weekly or fortnightly, strictly face-to-face.
Geographical limits: You’re restricted to professionals practising in your city or region.

Online Psychologists

Location: You connect from anywhere with a stable internet or phone link—home, office, or even while travelling.
Environment: Sessions take place via video call or phone call
Format: The option for evening and weekend slots, plus the option for brief check-ins between booked appointments.
Nationwide reach: You can choose from any registered psychologist across Australia, ensuring niche specialisations are never out of reach.

Neither model is “better” in absolute terms; it’s all about what fits your life, budget, and personal comfort.

Key Things to Keep in Mind When Searching

With thousands of registered psychologists out there, use these checkpoints to narrow your search:

Registration & Credentials

Confirm they’re on the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register under the Psychology Board of Australia.
Check that they hold general registration (not non-practising) and have no current restrictions or notifications.
All of our Indigo psychologists exceed these criteria and are carefully curated and vetted before joining our network.

Specialisations & Modality

Look for therapists who explicitly list your concerns (anxiety, trauma, grief or LGBTQIA+ issues).
Note their therapeutic approaches—CBT, EMDR, ACT or trauma-informed care—to ensure alignment with your preferences.
Our progressive and inclusive therapists are LGBTQIA+ friendly, culturally inclusive, trauma‑informed and neurodivergence‑informed, completely judgement‑free.

Session Style & Technology

Do they offer video or phone calls? Some people can chat in any format, while others need face-to-face cues.
Ask what platform they use (Zoom, a proprietary portal, Skype) and whether it’s end-to-end encrypted for your privacy.
With The Indigo Project, you’ll manage your appointments via our secure client portal, making booking and re‑booking a breeze.

Availability & Booking

Can you book online? Is there an app or portal? (Like our nifty Client Portal)
Do they have evening/weekend spots for shift workers or parents?
Our client portal shows live availability so you can lock in the perfect time.

Fees & Rebates

What’s the standard session fee?
Do they offer rebates under the Better Access Medicare scheme?
Are private health fund rebates available?

Spending a few minutes on each of these will save hours, helping you choose someone who ticks all your boxes. Or skip the legwork entirely, simply try our Get Matched tool and let our insightful therapy matchmaking do the work for you.

Clarify What You Want from Therapy

Before you dive headfirst into Google results, take a moment to consider your own goals:

Emotional Support: If you simply need a compassionate, non-judgmental listener, seek someone who emphasises “holding space” and validation.
Practical Tools: If you want structured strategies—grounding exercises, thought-record sheets, behavioural experiments—look for a CBT-oriented psychologist.
Deep Trauma Work: For more intensive healing around trauma or attachment wounds, EMDR-certified practitioners or somatic therapists might be ideal.
Life Transitions: Career shifts, relationship changes or parenthood adjustments call for experience in life-stage coaching and solution-focused techniques.
Ongoing Coaching vs Short-term Relief: Are you after a fortnightly tune-up or a months-long deep dive? Make sure their availability and rates align with the length of support you envision.

Getting crystal clear on your objectives will focus your search and ensure your first session feels purposeful rather than exploratory.

Proven Ways to Find a Registered Online Psychologist

AHPRA’s National Register

Every registered psychologist must appear on the AHPRA register. You can search by name or registration number, ensuring anyone you choose is properly credentialed.

Professional Directories

Australian Psychological Society (APS): Their “Find a Psychologist” tool lets you filter by location, specialty and telehealth options.
The Indigo Project’s “Get Matched” tool: In just a few quick questions, our matchmakers pinpoint the psychologists best suited to you. Backed by thousands who have trusted us since 2012 to guide them.

Personal Recommendations & Testimonials

Ask friends or colleagues (while respecting their privacy).
Read client reviews on Google, HealthEngine or practitioner websites, look for patterns rather than one-off comments.

Introductory Chats

Many psychologists will give you an opportunity to do a trial session to ensure they’re the right fit for you. At The Indigo Project, our Perfect Match Promise means that if you don’t click with your matched psychologist after your first session, we’ll rematch you, and your next session is on us.

Ask the Right Questions

During your intro chat, consider asking:

“Can you describe your approach in a nutshell?”
“What’s your experience with [my particular concern]?”
“How do you handle urgent needs between sessions?”
“Do you have a backup plan for tech glitches?”

Your comfort level in that first conversation often predicts how open you’ll be once therapy formally begins.

Tackling Common Concerns

“I’m worried about privacy online.”
Look for platforms with end-to-end encryption and request details on their privacy policies. Registered practitioners must abide by strict privacy codes. Our client portal at The Indigo Project meets the highest security standards.

“What if I hate video calls?”
No problem! Your psychologist may offer phone calls instead, or you could try starting your sessions with your video turned off until you become more comfortable.

“Is online as effective as face-to-face?”
Research shows telehealth can be just as impactful, especially for people who feel safer opening up from home.

Our Step-by-Step Suggestions

Finding the right registered online psychologist in Australia is a journey, not a sprint. Start by:

Verifying registration on AHPRA’s national register
Matching specialisms and therapeutic modalities to your goals (or speed up the process with our Get Matched tool)
Sorting practicalities like tech, availability and fees
Trusting your gut in that first chat

How The Indigo Project Can Make A Difference

Since 2012, The Indigo Project has been on a mission to make therapy feel like a relaxed chat with a friend. Here’s how we support Australians coast to coast:

Online Counselling: Sessions that fit around your life, not the other way round, all delivered by our carefully selected and vetted therapists.
Specialised Therapies: CBT, EMDR, trauma-informed care and targeted support for grief, eating disorders, perinatal challenges and more, all from our progressive, inclusive network.
Courses & Events: Digital courses, workshops and community events designed to boost resilience and connection.

Our team of over 30 registered online psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors spans every state and territory, so whether you’re in bustling Sydney, regional Queensland or outback WA, you’ll find someone for your lifestyle. With our down-to-earth, inclusive tone, we make sure you always feel heard, understood and empowered.

Ready To Take The Next Step?

Try our Get Matched tool now, answer a few quick questions and let our insightful therapy matchmakers find the perfect psychologist for you. Then manage your appointments seamlessly via our secure client portal. It’s time to join the thousands of clients who’ve trusted The Indigo Project since 2012 and start your journey towards better mental health today.