What's the difference ... ?
What's the difference ... ?
Between a ...
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Clients can choose to see counsellors, psychotherapists, psychiatrists or psychologists for assistance. Broadly speaking, the differences between these groups are as follows:
Counsellors & Psychotherapists
Counsellors and psychotherapists in Australia are self regulating professions. In other words anyone can claim to be a counsellor or psychotherapist regardless of whether they have any training or qualifications. It is in the publics own interest to only use a counsellor/psychotherapist who is registered with a recognised professional body such as the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or Psychotherapist and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA). Members of these associations meet professional standards of training and abide to a code of conduct and a complaints procedure. Non registered counsellors are not accountable to any government or professional body.
Counsellors train in the "talking therapies" and are able to help with most personal issues such relationships, grief, stress etc. Counselling has been proven to be an effective therapy for most emotionally based issues. Counsellors generally do not perform diagnostic or testing services particularly for issues such as schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder or clinical depression; these are generally the realm of psychologists. Counsellors can also be known as Psychotherapists. There is no one agreed definition for psychotherapists. Traditionally psychotherapists have differentiated themselves from counsellors by claiming to work therapeutically at a greater depth with clients and over longer periods of time. They have also claimed to hold higher qualifications. Although this may have been the case many years ago this argument no longer stands.
More information:
Australian Counselling Association
www.theaca.net.au or www.pacfa.org.au
This information was provided by Phillip Armstrong, National Manager, Australian Counselling Association. He can be contacted on 1300 784 333 or via www.theaca.net.au.
The 'Psychologist' label refers to completion of a four-year Psychology degree plus two years supervision or postgraduate qualifications. In addition, specialisation involves the completion of a Masters or doctoral degree (PhD). The emphasis in Psychology is generally upon changing behaviour and thinking styles and developing improved strategies for dealing with problematic situations. Clients are encouraged to become proactive in setting and achieving their goals. Psychological distress is usually deemed to be social in origin and therefore able to be changed.
Medication:
Psychologists CANNOT prescribe medication as they are not medically qualified. Their treatments are based on changing behaviour without medication.
Appointments:
A referral may be needed to see a Psychologist:
- No referral is necessary to see a Psychologist if you are willing to pay in full for services. Making an appointment is usually just a matter of finding someone with relevant experience.
- However, a referral IS necessary if you wish for Medicare to pay a portion of the fee. As of November 1st, 2006, a referral from a GP to a Psychologist (who is registered with Medicare) can entitle you to rebates to 12 individual sessions (and 18 in some cases), as well as 12 group sessions per year. NOTE: Not all Psychologists are yet registered to provide these services, but it is expected that many will (if not already) apply for Medicare registration.
Try the ADAVIC Find A Therapist page for psychologists and other professionals who specialise in the Anxiety disorders.
| As of November 2006, some psychological services are now covered by Medicare. |  |
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(A fact sheet is also available for download) |
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- Private Health Insurers (especially Extras cover) may also rebate certain services.
Fees will vary. The Australian Psychological Society has a recommended fee schedule but practitioners can choose to set fees at their own discretion.
The Australian Psychological Society recommended fees begin at $100 for 30 minutes (See Document ‘Schedule of Recommended Fees.pdf’: [www.psychology.org.au/psych/fees/default.asp] )
Some government and community health centres and universities offer discounted rates for their services. For example, the Swinburne University Psychology Clinic offers low-cost counselling by supervised postgraduate Psychology students.
- Ph: (03) 9214 8653
- Email: psychclinic@swin.edu.au
- Web: www.swin.edu.au/sbs/pc
Qualifications:
In Australia, Psychologists are governed by the Australian Psychological Society.
Qualifications to look for:
- Are they a registered psychologist? This should be shown on their letterhead. In Victoria, Psychologists need to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria.
- Are they are member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS)?
Your Rights as a Client of Psychologist
Psychologists in Victoria need to be registered with the Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria. The Board has put together a document outlining the standards you should expect from a Psychologist and your rights as a client.
Your rights as a client of Psychologist (pdf file)
More information:
Australian Psychological Society
www.psychology.org.au
The information in this section was provided by Dr Sallee McLaren, Clinical Psychologist, who can be contacted on (03) 9416-1621; and the Australian Psychological Society (APS) who can be contacted on 1800 333 497.
The 'Psychiatrist' label means the person is a qualified medical doctor who also has expertise in emotional problems and mental illness. This means they have completed a medical degree prior to specialising in Psychiatry, requiring at least 13 years total in training. As a result, most Psychiatrists adopt the 'disease' model, emphasising the biological origins of psychological distress. This model often gives rise to various 'chemical imbalance' theories of mental illness. Therefore, many treatments involve medication. However, this can be combined with other forms of therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Medication:
Psychiatrists CAN prescribe medication and are specifically trained for mental health problems.
Making an appointment:
In most instances you may need a doctor’s referral to see a Psychiatrist, especially if you are to claim fees from Medicare.
Many psychiatric services are covered by Medicare. The rebate may differ between a public and private psychiatrist.
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Qualifications:
In Australia, Psychiatrists are governed by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
Qualifications to look for:
- Are they a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP) or of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych)?
More information:
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
www.ranzcp.org
The information in this section was provided by Dr Sallee McLaren, Clinical Psychologist, who can be contacted on (03) 9416-1621; and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) who can be contacted on 1800 337 448.
