Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist? it is confusing for many people. Have you ever looked for someone to help you only for the seeking process to become so stressful that you want to give up? There are many similarities between these roles, but also some differences. Once you understand them, the process of finding the most appropriate helper becomes a lot easier, so here is a simple guide to mental health providers.
Quite often we receive phone calls from people along these lines:
Caller: “Hello, my doctor said that I need to make an appointment”
Us: “Of course, did you doctor give you a referral?”
Caller: “Yes my doctor wants someone to review my medication.”
Us: “Oh, so you are looking for a Psychiatrist? I am sorry but we don’t have a psychiatrist in our practice.”
Caller: “But I Googled your practice and you have someone psych?”
Us: “Yes we have a psychologist at our practice, but they cannot review medication. Only a psychiatrist (or a GP practitioner, depending on the situation) can review your medication.”
There are a number of professionals who can help with your mental health issues or emotional distress.
Following are some of the main points of difference between some of the professions that share ‘psych’ in their title.
Note that this list is not complete, it applies to professionals in Australia and some of the points might change in the future.
Psychiatrists:
- Medical Doctor
- University trained
- Usually have completed 12 years of training
- Before you see a psychiatrist you need a referral from your GP
- Prescribe and review medication
- Provide a diagnosis and treatment for mental health conditions
- Can provide psychotherapy.
(For more information please visit The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.)
Psychologists:
- Allied Health Practitioners
- University trained
- Can have a specialisation / endorsement (such as Counselling Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist)
- Can provide counselling and psychotherapy, and other psychological intervention (e.g. developing behavioural plans) but it depends on the psychologist’s experience and further training
- Use evidence based modalities and strategies
- If the experimental approach is used, a psychologist is obliged to inform the client and seek his or her informed consent
- Usually you don’t need a referral in order to see a psychologist in private practice
- In order to maintain their registration, psychologists are required to have ongoing supervision and continuing professional development
- Must follow the ethical and professional guidelines of their governing bodies and associations.
(For more information please visit the Australian Psychological Society.)
Psychotherapists:
- Trained therapists (such as counsellors or psychologists) who use a psychotherapeutic approach to treat mental health and emotional concerns
- Training can be done at University and Private Colleges and Institutes
- Some psychotherapists choose to specialise in specific areas (such as relationships)
- Must follow the ethical and professional guidelines of their governing bodies and associations.
(For more information please visit Psychotherapist and Counselling Federation of Australia.)
There are other mental health professionals who can offer counselling for people who experience psychological distress, mental health issues or emotional concerns. Some of them are counsellors and social workers.
If you are not sure who will be the best fit for you, prepare some questions to ask when you make your first round of calls:
- Do you prescribe medication?
- Can you diagnose a mental illness? I suspect I might have XYZ (for example, a Bipolar Disorder).
- What is your approach to working with people who suffer from XYZ (for example, Depression)?
- How much is the session?
- Do I need a referral from the doctor?
- Can I get a Medicare rebate? If so, how do I go about it?
- How long does the treatment usually go on for and how many sessions are involved?
These and similar questions will help you to narrow down which practitioners are more likely to help you to achieve your goals.
Remember, it is your right to ask as many questions as you need to determine who is the right therapist for you.
Email us info@bluehorizoncounselling.com.au if you would like to find out more about our services.
This article is written by Dr Yuliya Richard, Principal Psychologist of Blue Horizon Counselling
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