What is the difference between a psychotherapist and psychologist?

by | Nov 12, 2019

I often get asked

What is the difference between a psychotherapist and a psychologist?

In Australia we have a range of mental health professionals available- psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors.

This link may be quite helpful to distinguish the differences.

But in short, both psychotherapists & psychologists have the skills and experience to provide counselling approaches as appropriate to their clients needs.

I have a Masters degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy and work with adult clients under emotional stress who wish to explore and understand their life stories.
I also have a particular interest in helping people with body image concerns explore how they may incorporate compassionate, helpful behaviours into their lives rather than focusing on their weight.

I use a range of psychotherapy modalities (aka skill sets) and I integrate them as appropriate for each of my clients, in each of their sessions.

For example I may use some narrative therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness techniques within a session with you.

It’s completely up to your needs on the day though and how you lead the therapy…yes that’s right, I follow your lead intuitively and by checking in with you during our time together.

Regardless of whether you choose to see a psychotherapist or a psychologist, the key to ‘successful therapy’ is a great therapeutic relationship, where the client feels safe and respected.

I always suggest that you find the right mental health professional for you and your needs at the time, and this may mean shopping around until you find someone you truly connect with.

I offer free 20 minute phone chats for people who wish to explore if I’m the right therapist for them.

Those quick chats usually help us to break the ice and get to know each other a little and may result in booking a session together, or if you’d prefer, referring you onto another suitable mental health professional.

I hope I’ve made things a little clearer for you.

If you think I may be someone you’d like to work with please head here to book a chat/session.

I provide 1:1 therapy sessions in my private practice consulting rooms in Stirling or Glenelg South Australia, outdoors during walk and talk therapy sessions or online via Zoom.

Warmest Ailsa