A common question that I get asked is “how are you different from a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist?” It’s a very good question, that goes to the heart of how you view yourself, your troubles and the treatment that best suits you. Below is a brief outline of each Psych… and from which perspective they typically practice.
Psychiatrist
A medical doctor, who has completed a medical degree and then completed a further five years of psychiatry training. These are medical specialists trained in the diagnosis and medical treatment of psychiatric conditions. Psychiatrists can prescribe a range of medications to treat these conditions. The most commonly prescribed medications are antidepressants. As their name suggests, they are mainly prescribed as a treatment of symptoms associated with depression, but have more recently become prescribed for anxiety. In 2018-19, over 26 million prescriptions were provided in Australia. Only 1.6 million of these were actually prescribed by Psychiatrists while the remainder were prescribed by GPs. Psychiatrists are qualified to assess both the physical and mental aspects of psychological problems. Psychiatrists approach these problems from the perspective that there is an organic basis to psychological problems – that problems of the mind are also problems of the body.
Psychologist
Psychologists are not medical doctors. However, a Psychologist is a professional who has completed post-graduate training (typically at Masters or Doctorate level). The training undertaken equips Psychologists to diagnose a range of psychological conditions and to treat them using an evidence base of treatments. Over the past 20 years accepted treatments have typically been short term and symptom focused. Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) has been a mainstay, however emerging more and more is the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and others including Schema therapy. A Psychologist is able to utilise the Medicare system, meaning that by obtaining a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP, you are able to access between 5 and 10 sessions each year at a reduced fee.
Psychotherapist
A Psychotherapist is also not a medical doctor, nor are they Psychologists. A Psychotherapist cannot utilise the Medicare system, but often allows for this by reducing their fees.
However, a Psychotherapist has generally completed post graduate training often at Masters or Doctorate level. A Psychotherapist views the patient as a whole person. Although a person typically presents with a specific difficulty in mind, a Psychotherapist will spend several sessions building rapport, and gathering information about the whole life of the person. A Psychotherapist holds the perspective that symptoms rarely occur in isolation, but generally stem from a complex web of past and present experiences. Instead of just treating symptoms, a Psychotherapist is more often concerned with uncovering the causes of distress at their origins. This approach can take time, and requires a commitment, however of the three branches of Psycho…s, this is often the most fulfilling, as not only the symptoms are alleviated, but also other areas of the person’s life too. The broader aim is to build awareness and understanding, so that you can choose the life you wish to lead.
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