This is a question that I get asked constantly. There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the work that psychologists and counsellors do. Some people think that they’re essentially the same, other people know that they’re different but aren’t sure exactly why. I thought I’d take a little time to clear up the confusion.

What is a counsellor?

A counsellor is someone who is trained to assist people with their personal challenges by applying evidence-based psychological techniques and empathetic listening skills. A counsellor may or may not have a background in psychology, although many do.  Most counsellors work from a person-centred approach, which means that they focus on the client as a person, and work on the issues and challenges that are most important to the client. The counselling process is guided by the client’s needs, and moves at the client’s own pace. In order to become a registered counsellor, a person must have achieved a certain level of study and training, and must continue to undergo training and supervision.

What is a psychologist?

A psychologist is someone who has completed in-depth study in the field of psychology. Psychologists can diagnose mental illness, and typically work with clients who have a diagnosed mental illness or psychological condition. Psychologists work from an evidence-based approach, and their focus is on the treatment and management of mental illness. They tend to take a more clinical approach in their work, using methodical treatment modalities and focusing on the treatment of the condition rather than working with the client’s broader challenges.

Do psychologists have more training than counsellors?

This is a tricky question to answer. Psychologists do have to achieve a higher level of education than counsellors in order to practice in Australia. At a minimum, a psychologist must hold either a Masters or PhD qualification. However, counsellors are still highly skilled and require specialized education in order to be registered in Australia. All registered counsellors must have completed at least a Diploma of Counselling, and many also hold Bachelor and Masters qualifications. Additionally, it is a requirement of both the Australian Counselling Association and PACFA that all counsellors must undertake continued training and education in order to maintain their registration. For this reason, counsellors are very well educated in their own areas of expertise. Both psychologists and counsellors are well-educated and trained to work with the challenges and issues that they face in their practice.

So, which one is better?

In truth, neither counselling or psychology are “better” than the other. They each have their strengths and are suited to working with different clients and challenges.

Generally speaking, if a client is seeking treatment for a diagnosed mental health condition like depression, PTSD or an eating disorder, the recommendation is that they should work with a psychologist. A psychologist can provide targeted treatment for the presenting issue and help the client to understand and manage their illness. A psychologist can also diagnose mental illnesses and psychological conditions, which a counsellor cannot.  To see a psychologist, you usually need a referral from a doctor.

However, for clients who are not experiencing mental illness, counselling is a very good option. Counselling is ideal for clients who are experiencing difficult life events such as bereavement, break-ups, job loss or big changes. Counselling can also assist clients who are struggling with unhelpful thought patterns or behaviours that they want to change. For clients who are feeling stressed or anxious, working with a counsellor can be a really helpful way to better understand these feelings, their impacts and ways of managing them. Counselling tends to be more flexible than psychological treatment, and the client has the option of bringing new issues or challenges to a counsellor as they arise. A counsellor will usually offer a range of approaches to the client in order to find one that works best for them.

You don’t need a referral from your doctor to see a counsellor. This can cut down on costs and waiting times. A psychologist may also place restrictions on the number of sessions you can have, particularly if you’re on a Medicare Mental Health Plan. Counsellors often have more flexibility and will give you the option of having as many or as few sessions as you need.

As you can see, psychologists and counsellors both provide valuable and skilled services to their clients. A psychologist is the best choice if you are seeking a diagnosis or treatment for a mental illness or psychological condition. If you’re going through a personal challenge, are feeling unusually stressed, want help changing behaviour or thought patterns or are seeking to improve communication skills and self-esteem then a counsellor is probably the best fit for you. If you’re ever in doubt about whether counselling is the right choice for you, please feel free to get in touch with me. I’d be happy to listen and answer any questions you have to ensure you feel comfortable with your choice.