The Difference Between a Psychiatrist and Psychologist

Health professionals who treat depression

Psychologists, Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists can usually provide treatment across a range of age groups. However, Child and Adolescent Psychologists/Clinical Psychologists and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists have a special interest and expertise in the treatment of young people.

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists have expertise in the field of human behaviour. They use non medication based therapies to help clients achieve their goals and to function in a healthier more effective manner. Often, these professionals are trained in a short-term therapeutic approach called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This approach has been well evaluated and found to be very effective for a range of emotional and behavioural problems.

Both Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists are required to undertake supervised experience before they proceed to registration. In Australia, it is illegal to call yourself a Psychologist unless you are registered by the Psychologist Registration Board. Clinical Psychologists are Specialist Psychologists who have studied at Postgraduate Level and received specific training and supervision in the treatment of emotional and behavioural problems.

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists do not have a medical degree and cannot prescribe medication. However, most Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists have a good understanding of the role of medications and are willing to work collaboratively with either General Practitioners or Psychiatrists.

Many private health funds give rebates for visits to a Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist. It is important to check with each individual health fund to find out their cover for such services.

How to contact a Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist

Your Doctor may be able to recommend a Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist. Alternatively, a friend or family member, who has seen a Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist in the past, may be able to recommend someone they know and trust.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has a referral service that can help you find a Psychologist or Clinical Psychologist in your area who specializes in your particular problem. This referral service can be contacted either by phone or email. Information on the APS referral service is at: www.psychology.org.au (click on “Find a Psychologist”).

Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists are qualified medical practitioners who have obtained additional qualifications and training in the area of Mental Illness. Psychiatrists use a range of medical treatments, including medication and non medication based therapies to treat Mental Illness. Some Psychiatrists also use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques in their treatment and others use more long term “talking” therapies.

Psychiatrists are expert in diagnosing Mental Illness and , in particular , can distinguish between illnesses that are caused by physical “sickness” and those mental illnesses that are not.

It is not uncommon for a patient to be referred to a Psychiatrist by their Family Doctor (GP) for an opinion regarding diagnosis and what medication (if any) is required.

How to Contact a Psychiatrist?

You need a referral from your Family Doctor (GP) to see a Psychiatrist. For a referral to a Psychiatrist or to discuss your treatment options consult your GP.

Other Mental Health professionals

There are other Mental Health Professionals who also work in the area of Emotional and Behavioural problems. These professionals include Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Psychiatric Nurses. Each of these individual professions has its own expertise and makes a valuable contribution to the treatment of Mental Illness. In general, these professionals work as part of a team in Community Mental Health Services or Private Psychiatric Hospitals.

How to choose the most appropriate Professional for you?

In choosing the most appropriate person to see for your problem, you can consider the following:

i) The nature of your problem

ii) The training and expertise of the specialist,

iii) Whether the specialist uses proven treatments for your problem,

iv) The availability of the specialist and

v) The length and cost of the treatment.

To simplify this choice, it is useful to discuss the matter with your GP and obtain their opinion and advice.

Services Provided

Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists work in a number of areas helping people with a range of problems. These include depression, anxiety, drug and alcohol problems and relationship problems. These professionals are also involved in assessing educational problems, rehabilitation following brain damage in motor vehicle accidents and helping people to make career and life choices.

Psychiatrists can also work in these areas, but are more often found working with more severe mental illness such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and Anxiety. Clinical Psychologists may also work with more severe mental illnesses, such as Psychosis, Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.