In today's mental health climate navigating the system to seek professional support can be a daunting task. So much so, many people will forgo their mental health needs, which can lead to a possible decline in a person's wellbeing. In this article, I will try and provide a road map of the differences in wellbeing support professionals.
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Psychiatrists, according to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, are medical doctors who are experts in mental health. Psychiatrists typically do at least 11 years of training including a medical degree. They specialise in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Psychiatrists have a deep understanding of physical and mental health - and how they affect each other. They help people with mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and addiction. Psychiatrists provide psychological treatment, prescribe medications and do procedures such as electroconvulsive therapy. Psychiatrists can also, but not limited to, provide urgent care for a sudden mental illness, help you to manage a long-term mental health condition, provide second opinions and advice to other doctors and health professionals, refer you to other health professionals and admit you to hospital if required.
Psychologists, here in Australia, are different from other countries, per the Australian Psychological Society, psychology is a regulated profession. This means that people who call themselves a psychologist or say they are practicing as a psychologist must be registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Registered psychologists are required to have a minimum of six years of university training and supervised experience, and to engage in ongoing education. Following are just a few 'psychologists' you may encounter or have need for as defined by the Health Professions Council, The Australian Clinical Psychology Association, Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Psychological Society.
Clinical psychologists will deal with relatively serious forms of psychological distress or psychopathology such as depression, eating disorders or schizophrenia. Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose and intervene with people in dealing with life challenges. They have undertaken highly specialised training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and psychological treatment of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders. Clinical psychologists are the only psychologists to have this advanced level of education and training in mental health.
Counselling psychologists deal with challenges and developmental problems of everyday life. Counselling psychologists provide a wide variety of techniques and therapeutic approaches such as grief and loss, significant life transitions, developmental issues, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, sexual abuse/assault, trauma, maintaining healthy lifestyles, vocational assessment and career development. Further, this includes prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of clients with mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, as well as more complex disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and personality disorders.
Educational psychologists are involved in assessment, diagnosis and intervention in order to optimise human functioning in the broad context of development and learning. Educational psychologists specialise in working with children between the ages two and 21 years and are involved in all psychological aspects that may affect children in their learning or development to fully functioning, healthy, independent adults.
Other psychologists may have advanced levels of education and training specialising in areas other than mental health, such as clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, organisational psychology, and sport and exercise psychology.
Counsellors and psychotherapists are trained professionals that can help solve your personal problems. They help individuals explore and resolve issues that are interpersonal, intrapsychic or personal in nature. While the role of counselling and psychotherapy may appear intertwined, they differ on various levels. The role of a counsellor is to focus on specific problems, helping you make changes in your life and fostering your wellbeing. For example, grief and bereavement counselling, marital counselling or addiction counselling.
While psychotherapy is more concerned with restructuring the personality and helping develop deep insight and bring about more profound change working with more serious mental health issues over longer periods.
Social workers are responsible for helping individuals, families, and groups of people to cope with problems they're facing to improve their patients' lives. One aspect of this is teaching skills and developing mechanisms for patients to rely on.
If in doubt always ask your professional what are their qualifications and training.