With so many different titles to choose from, it can be hard
to know which type of professional is right for you in the your particular
circumstances. This week’s blog gives specifies the different roles of the
titles and some ideas about which may be best for you.
Currently, there are no definitions which are agreed upon
across the profession that separate counsellors from psychotherapists. However,
virtually everyone has their own views as to what the differences might be. I
can only offer my personal view here.
Counsellor – someone helping you to address personal issues
through listening, support & exploration.
Psychotherapist – as above, but may be more focused on the
person’s way of relating to others, themselves and the world in general. They
have tended to train for longer and be more open ended in their work with
clients looking at underlying patterns of relating.
Therapist – is a generic term covering anyone treating
clients. Often used as an umbrella term for both counsellors and
psychotherapists. It may also refer to a wide range of complementary therapies
which may or may not be relevant to your problems.
Psychologist – someone who studies the mind and behaviour,
but may apply their studies in a wide variety of ways with differing
specialities e.g. occupational, clinical, educational, child. Psychologists
would be used to provide treatment under a private medical insurance plan.
Psychiatrist – They are the only ones to have trained in
medicine and therefore are the only ones who are able to prescribe drugs. They
tend to work with the more extreme end of the mental health spectrum, although
it is standard practice that anyone seeking treatment through their private
medical insurance would need an assessment via a psychiatrist.
If you have any questions about this blog or any of the
issues raised please feel free to contact me via my website:
http://www.garycooktherapy.co.uk
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