What's the difference?

[Bluerev]

I know this might sound like a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway.

What's the difference between seeing a psychologist and a counsellor? I'm just wondering as my counsellor has suggested that I might be better off seeing a psychologist. I would have asked her myself last night but I was in a bit of a state and just wanted to get out of there.

[effervescence]

In general:

- A counsellor has done training in counselling and therapy so will focus on getting you to talk about your feelings and find ways to help yourself through whatever the problem is etc etc.

- A psychologist has done a science or arts degree in the way the mind works and will therefore focus more on your mind and any mental "illness" or problem you may have and ways to treat that (which can still be through talking and similar therapy to what a counsellor may use).

- A psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in the mind so if your psychologist thought you had a mental illness requiring medication you would see a psychiatrist (if your GP wasn't appropriate for your illness).

[Luukas]

A couple of other comments...

- A psychotherapist is (or should be) a psychiatrist who has done additional training in therapy.

- Some psychiatrists focus mostly on medication, others offer both medication and some form of therapy.

- Only a medical practitioner can diagnose a mental illness - so a counsellor or psychologist may suspect that a mental condition is present, but you still need a specialist for a proper diagnosis. GP's can diagnose but will generally only offer a tentative view and refer you on to a specialist if they are not absolutely certain. However, a GP can readily provide medication once it has been prescribed by a specialist.

- Some counsellors and psychologists are more inclined to offer short-term or surface-level assistance (like CBT). High quality in-depth therapy is properly the domain of the most qualified specialists; it takes a lot of time and effort (on both sides) and is beneficial for those who need it. However, there certainly is a role for counsellors and psychologists in dealing with less serious situations (I don't mean that a person's problem(s) are less serious, but that s/he does not have a serious mental health condition) and for them to support the work of psychiatrists or psychotherapists.

Of course, others may have different views. :)