seeing a psychologist

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how does one go about seeing a psychologist?? is it free in Canada along w/ other health care or is it its owns thing?
what exactly do they do? is it like movies there they just talk about your mother? do they really help you with crap? can they give you xanax and stuff?

I don't know about Canada and its beautiful universal healthcare (but I'd assume that mental health fits into it), but I occasionally go to a psychologist. It ain't like the movies BTW. The way psychologists have helped me in the past is to be a neutral party in my internal conflicts. So I guess they do help. And it's psychiatrist that prescribe meds. And thanks for the welcome

In the US, there are two states, New Mexico and Louisiana, where psychologists are allowed to prescribe medications.

I went to see a psychologist. Didn’t really help as I was forced there by my mother and I hate talking to strangers, so I just sat there while my mother talked. The problem I found is that I could not trust them with how I was feeling and the stuff that was going on in my life. I think if you actually want to talk to someone about all that stuff it probably could work, as I believe it is good to talk about things. The only problem I could see is that they do not have an insight into AS and don’t understand how we think, but I guess that varies from psychologist to psychologist.

My brother was taken to one once during his depression. Myself, I'm glad it's not me sitting there being interacted with, but the advice they give in the end and the medications they perscribe can really be useful.
This was to a child-psychologist though. I'm not sure if adult ones are the same. The room was colourful and interesting and there was lego to play with and all. They usually try to make things relaxing but you can't avoid conversations if you really want help.

Going to see them? I'd probably start with a call to them or some such thing. If you're like me and not one for phones, then you could find the adress for one and go to the reception there and talk.
As for Canada's healthcare, I'm sorry, but I know nothing about it having never left Australia.

I'm in Ontario so I only know about OHIP
You have to go to your family doctor or a doctor at a walk in clinic and ask for a referral.
It will take some time for the initial appointment but once it gets going... you'll have regular appointments. That first 'intake assessment' is usually pretty long and that's why it's hard to schedule that one.

Psychologists are NOT covered by OHIP though. Their fees are tax deductible and if you have private insurance, they'll cover a certain number of sessions. Psychologists aren't able to prescribe medications. They are more into psycho-therapy.

If you choose to go to a Pyshciatrist though- it's covered by OHIP. Psychiatrists can prescribe medications if necessary. Some of them are pill-pushers but the good ones aren't.

The best thing to do is talk to your doctor and get a referral. You can check http://www.ratemds.com/canada/index.jsp to see if there are any comments about your doctor there.
And if you choose a psychiatrist you can check the College of Physcians and Surgeons of your province to see where they were trained, how long they have been practicing and if they have any disciplinary actions. All of that information should be on their website. The website for Ontario is http://www.cpso.on.ca/Doctor_Search/dr_srch_hm.htm

A good psychologist will make it easier to talk about things that are difficult to talk about. Counsrlor Troi said, "People go to a counselor because there are things they want to talk about. The counselor's job is to help them talk about things they don't want to talk about.

Lots of people go to counselors and say they want to change, when in fact the last thing in the world that they want to do is change. They desperately want to not change; they just want to feel better. Pscho-therapy is hard work, but it can be very rewarding.