Who is Who: The Difference Between Therapists
We’ve all heard the terms psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, psychotherapists, and therapists. Understandably, most people don’t know the difference between each type of clinician. Mostly the differences lay between education, training, licensing, and registration with the appropriate regulatory boards.
So here we are breaking it down for you to provide some clarity.
Therapist
Therapist
noun
1. A person trained in the use of physical methods, as exercises, heat treatments, etc., in treating or rehabilitating the sick or wounded or helping patients overcome physical defects.
2. A person trained in the use of psychological methods for helping patients overcome psychological problems.
Therapist is a general umbrella term for any person that provides mental and physical support (e.g. counsellor or massage therapist). A counsellor, psychologist or psychotherapist can be referred to as a therapist, however a therapist isn’t always a psychologist or psychiatrist. It’s important to understand that a counsellor or a psychotherapist have different training to a psychologist or psychiatrist. So if someone calls themselves a therapist, it’s important for you to look at their credentials to determine what type of a therapist they are and what type of training they have to suit your needs.
Counsellor
Counsellor
Noun
1. A person trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems.
A counsellor is usually a trained mental health professional who uses talk therapy to support others through their problems. Counselling involves talking through your personal concerns, helping you to make sense of the issues, explore alternative outcomes, develop strategies, and increase self-awareness. They can help with a range of issues including stress, anxiety, grief, work/career issues, life adjustments or self-esteem issues.
However, not all counsellors are qualified. Counsellors cannot diagnose or clinically treat people. Currently at the time of writing, there is no law or registration that requires a counsellor to have qualifications or experience. This means that anyone can call themselves counsellors, even psychotherapists, without the proper training.
Trained counsellors are registered with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). They have usually studied for 3 or more years at university with postgraduate qualifications. As mentioned above, its important if you are choosing a counsellor to understand whether they are qualified or not. It should state their training on their business accounts, alternatively, you can always ask the counsellor directly.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapist
noun
1. A person who treats psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique, as psychoanalysis, group therapy or behavioural therapy
Psychotherapy also uses talk-based therapy to treat clients. There can be a lot of overlap between counselling and psychotherapy, depending on the needs of the person. Psychotherapy is an umbrella term, which describes any form of treatment of the mind. Similar to counselling, a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor can all be psychotherapists. People can refer to themselves as a psychotherapist if they work with the mind in some way. This can include a range of workers who have delved into deeper training, but are not qualified psychologists/psychiatrists, such as:
· social workers
· counsellors
· therapists
· psychiatric nurses
Psychologist
Psychologist
Noun
1. Someone studies the human mind, emotions, and behaviour; and how different situations can have effect on people. Psychologists use talk therapy and are trained to diagnose, assess, manage and treat mental health conditions
Psychologists are trained to understand and know how people feel, behave and react. They help with clinical and non-clinical issues like anxiety, depression, stress, relationship problems or more serious mental illness like psychotic or eating disorders, to name a few.
To become a registered psychologist with the governing board in Australia (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), psychologists must study for a minimum of 6 years. This includes an undergraduate degree, a fourth-year honours or equivalent and thereafter a 2 years Masters degree. Psychologists can also specialise in certain areas like:
· General
· Clinical
· Sport
· Counselling
· Organisational
· Forensic
Psychologists don’t prescribe medication but are trained to utilise evidence-based scientifically supported psychological and cognitive assessments and tests to assess people with mental health difficulties. Psychologists provide therapy to people and can diagnose, assess, and treat those suffering from problems with their mental health.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrist
Noun
A medical practitioner specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. Psychiatrists have studied medicine and then progressed into the area of the mind. Psychiatrists use talk therapy, diagnose, assess, manage, and treat mental health disorders alongside the provision of medication. A Psychiatrist is the only mental health professional that can prescribe medication,
Resources:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/counsellors
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/psychologist-service
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/psychiatrist-service