What Are The Differences Between Psychiatrists and Therapists?

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Psychiatrists, Psychologists and Counsellors - What are the differences?

 

When we seek professional help, regardless of the reason why (mood problems, mental illness, coaching, relationships, career-related, personal development etc),there are different people who can help you, including psychiatrists, psychologists, counselling psychologists and psychological counsellors. With so many different titles, it can be confusing. What are the differences between these mental health professionals? Which type of mental health professional doI need to seek help from?

 

Who are Psychiatrists?

Psychiatrists are mainly responsible for the use of medications to treat mental health problems.Psychiatrists are specialist doctors in Hong Kong. Psychiatrists have received medical education from a university, and after graduation they specialise in Psychiatry.Psychiatrists mainly treat mental illnesses with medication, and in some cases, other types of treatment such as brain stimulation. Psychiatrists may also work with psychologists to provide psychotherapy in addition to medication.

 

Who are Therapists?

There are many different types of therapists who can perform psychotherapy, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, and psychological counsellors. Unlike psychiatrists who can prescribe medication, therapists cannot prescribe medication. These professions complement each other in providing therapy. There are many different types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), DBT, to name a few. Psychotherapy can help deal with a variety of conditions including mood disorders like depression, anxiety, stress management, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, and many more.

 

Clinical psychologists have received professional psychotherapy training and obtained a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Clinical psychologists also gain experience through an internship period. Commonly used types of Psychotherapy include cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, etc. Clinical psychologists work primarily to provide psychotherapy to patients who have emotional or mood problems. Clinical psychologists also work with psychiatrists to treat serious mental illnesses.

 

Counselling psychologists have received training in counselling psychology and psychotherapy and have obtained a master's degree or higher. Counselling psychologists can perform psychotherapy. Counselling psychologists might focus more on prevention, assessment, career/career planning, and psycho-education. So talking to a psychologist before an emotional problem turns into a mental one can prevent the problem from getting worse.

 

Counsellors hold a bachelor's or master's degree in counselling. Counsellors are trained in counselling and psychology and need to obtain sufficient practicum hours to qualify. In addition to the common cognitive behavioural therapy, the counselling orientation of psychological counsellors also uses other therapies such as emotion-oriented therapy, narrative therapy, etc. In addition to dealing with emotional distress, prevention, career/career planning is also one of the areas of work for psychological counsellors.

 

There are many different certificates or short courses that offer some training in counselling or psychology, such as Emotional First Aid courses, or diplomas in counselling. As there is currently no legislation in Hong Kong to regulate the psychological counselling industry, many people are counselling as psychological counsellors or psychotherapists after completing short-term courses. So when choosing a therapist, do bear in mind the different types of therapists, and note the qualifications that they have.

 

In reality, there is some degree of overlap in the therapy provided by clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, and psychological counsellors. When choosing a therapist, different factors need to be considered, including the severity of their own emotional problems. For example, if experiencing relatively severe emotional problems, a clinical psychologist or even a psychiatrist maybe needed.

 

There are also many types of therapy available. Family therapy, also known as family counselling, involves helping families and couples deal with their issues and difficulties.Besides counselling, some therapists might also provide social work-related help. Examples of issues they can help with include family conflict, dealing with illnesses and caretakers’ stress.

 Marriage therapists, also known as marriage counsellors, can help with relationship issues through counselling, psychotherapy, commitment therapy, etc. Examples of relationship issues include communication problems, financial issues, dealing with illnesses, etc.

Some therapists specialise in substance abuse and addiction problems including drugs and alcohol. Some therapists can help with trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss of loved ones, children and adolescents, group therapy, and many more.

When faced with emotional distress, it is really difficult to make a decision in the face of a lot of information on the Internet and recommendations from different psychologists.

Fortunately Soulgood has a large network of mental health professionals, our network includes clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Every Soulgood service provider is certified by the platform to ensure that they hold a relevant accredited degree. After signing up, we will match you with the most suitable therapist based on your needs and preferences, then you can instantly text your therapist and book online counselling sessions.