In Australia there are many different kinds of mental health workers and the differences between them can be very confusing. This blog post is intended to help you learn a little bit more about the differences between them all and maybe even make you aware of some you weren’t aware of!
Both psychologist and psychiatrist are protected titles meaning you have to undergo specific training to be legally allowed to name yourself as such. Unprotected titles are the opposite though most mental health professions have some sort of regulation in the form of a professional organisation that a reputable provider will be affiliated with. These organisations typically take over some of the responsibilities a government organisation would by ensuring they only admit qualified and responsible individuals but ultimately a professional in the field does not have to join an organisation. This is why it is important to do your own research and make sure whoever you are trusting is worthy of that trust.
Psychologists
Psychologists are qualified mental health professionals who have the ability to conduct evidenced based psychological treatment, conduct psychological assessments and provide other psychological support services. All psychologists undergo at least 5 years worth of university training as well as professional supervision afterwards as a provisional psychologist. They can’t prescribe medication. There are two main types of psychologist you will see as a client, though there are actually many other distinct varieties. These are clinical psychologists and professional psychologists though for general talk therapy there is little difference between the two and you will receive the same high quality care regardless.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who go on to do a specialisation in mental health. They can prescribe medication and conduct talk therapy though they typically focus on the later much less than a psychologist would. All psychiatrists complete a full medical degree as well as an additional 5 years of training in mental health. Psychiatrists typically see patients for conditions that would not benefit from talk therapy alone like schizophrenia or severe depression. Psychiatrists typically focus on an acute situation or condition.
Psychotherapists
Psychotherapists are a sort of hybrid profession that conduct talk therapy but cannot provide mental health diagnoses. They focus specifically on psychotherapy and do not provide any other services. They do have a professional organisation (PACFA) but psychotherapist is not a protected title. Psychotherapy typically takes place over the long term and is inclusive of a person’s whole life; this is true of both psychotherapists and psychologists.
Counsellors
Counsellors provide talk therapy but are typically focused on a specific life problem and are less likely to use a specific psychotherapeutic technique like cognitive behavioural therapy. There are many types of counsellors including career counsellors and rehabilitation counsellors. Similar to psychotherapist, counsellor is not a protected title but they do have a professional body (ACA).
Life Coaches
Think of a life coach like a personal trainer for your emotional/mental health. They can provide motivation or advice and help you make and achieve goals. Whilst this does make it important to ensure that your life coach is a reputable person with the skills and knowledge to help you it doesn’t make them without value. It’s important to be an educated consumer and know what you want and what you need. Life coaches are most useful if you don’t have any specific mental health concerns but want to improve your life.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists focus on building your physical and mental capacities to live the life you want. They work to help you overcome the barriers that prevent you from achieving your goals. The difference between an occupational therapist and another mental health professional is their focus on specific goals. For example, occupational therapists can assist you with your goal of walking to the shops just as much as your goal of finding a new job.
Peer Workers
Peer workers are individuals from the community with lived experience of whatever issue a client is facing. Rather than having specific mental health training, though peer workers do usually have some sort or relevant experience or qualification, they help a client by empathising with them and using their own personal journey as a lens through which to provide advice and companionship.
Social Workers
Social workers are mental health professionals that can help you in your day to day life. However their primary role, and what differentiates them from other services, is to help guide you to any other legal, financial,physical or mental health assistance you may require. Social workers can help you navigate the complex health system to find the services that you need. They are particularly well suited to help you with issues related to your circumstances such as family violence and poverty.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health Workers
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health workers are members of the community with mental health training who are able to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on a cultural level, this term is quite broad and can apply to individuals with a wide array of “day jobs”. They are well suited to provide services in a culturally sensitive way and to provide assistance to other mental health professional with improving their own cultural awareness. This is especially important considering the unique generational trauma and beliefs of these communities which may provide a barrier for them to get successful help with their mental health.
ADHD Coaches
ADHD coaches work specifically with people who have ADHD to improve their quality of life and better handle the unique challenges that ADHD provides. They work to help people with ADHD achieve their specific goals. Specifically they help people make achievable goals and then start concrete plans to meet those goals. They may also help someone determine how ADHD symptoms are playing out in their life and how they would like that life to change after coaching. ADHD coaches are more focused on the everyday challenges of paying your bills on time, eating the right food at the right time and maintaining a proper sleep schedule rather than the underlying emotional causes of an issue.